The Armored Wolf

by D Wolfe

  At the fire circle, Ellie was amazed and impressed. The fire was large and bright. It was surrounded by several wooden benches. There was what looked like a stone armchair by the fire. Mr. Wolfe was sitting in it. Next to the fire on the ground was Darin. Ellie looked at him. He looked serious and troubled about something. Ellie wondered if it had to do with her. The one time she had seen him, he had made it clear that he had helped her without directly helping her. She joined her friends on a bench as everyone sat down.

  Mr. Wolfe looked at everyone assembled. “As the camp director at Wolfwood, I’ll start tonight with the camp’s most known legend. Some of you have heard this before while it is new to others.” He told them. “A legend that has been passed down from camp director to camp director.” He started the legend.

  “They say that man’s best friend is the dog. But what was the first dog and just why was he so loyal to man?” Mr. Wolfe looked around before he continued. “It was a wolf. Long ago, the humans and wolves lived in harmony. They took care of each other. But then an evil wolf, by the name of Treka, bit a human at the full moon, ending the harmony and peace. The full moon was when Treka was at his strongest and so a bit of his power flowed into the human, changing him into a wolf. As long as the moon was shining, the man stayed a wolf but once the moon vanished, he returned to being a man. The other people feared this man and Treka as the two turned more of them into what would be known as werewolves.”

  “The other wolves hunted Treka down for days until he was killed. But by then, it was too late. There were already several tribes of werewolves to finish the rest of humanity. The humans and the wolves banded together to fight the werewolves. During the fight, a powerful wolf, Akna, was wounded severely. A great healer tried to save him but couldn’t. Akna knew of a greater form of wolf and told the healer about it. The healer, knowing that their best chance was this new form, agreed and brought a warrior in. After the warrior agreed to it, he and the wolf merged.”

  “The man, with Akna’s spirit, became the first armored wolf. When the others on both sides of the battle saw this, they were afraid. They weren’t sure which side this creature was. That was when the armored wolf spoke in his allies’ heads about the merge and how it was their best chance to survive. Five more warriors and five more wolves merged together and created more armored wolves. These five joined the great armored wolf and destroyed the majority of the werewolves, scattering the very few survivors to the ends of the Earth. The armored wolves, as they were come to be called, even in their human forms, would protect man from evil. Their kind grew in numbers as the years went by and started to migrate over the rest of the world, appearing and disappearing in myths and legends of the different cultures. They were all known though as guardians and protectors.”

  Ellie was amazed. So the paintings were called armored wolves and they protected people. That just made her dream make more sense. That wolf had healed her.

  Then Mr. Wolfe continued his story. “But the ruling powers of the world began to fear them. Religious leaders started to call them demons and urged people to destroy them. In less than a year, more than half of the armored wolves had been wiped out.”

  Ellie didn’t know why but she looked at Darian. He seemed to have a pained look in his eyes. Why though? He must have heard this story before and knew the whole story. He should have been used to hearing what had happened to the armored wolves. It wasn’t like he was an armored wolf. Like Mr. Wolfe had said, they were just a story. These armored wolves didn’t exist in real life. She remembered what her friends had said about the Wolfe’s ancestors being chased away by a priest. That just had to be because of their story painting the church with a bad image.

  Mr. Wolfe continued. “The remaining armored wolves gathered in one location. Their sacred land. No one else dare stepped on it. There, they decided to go into hiding and never reveal themselves unless the situation required them to.” Mr. Wolfe looked at the students and teachers. “They say that the armored wolves are still out there, waiting for the right time to rejoin humanity and continue to protect mankind.”

  Mr. Wolfe looked around them. “The camp directors that have come before believe that this camp is on the scared land that the armored wolves had gathered on in the story and so call it Camp Wolfwoods. To this day, the camp is still believed to be on the sacred land. It is why the symbol is a wolf. To honor the great armored wolves who fight to protect mankind.” Mr. Wolfe smiled and looked around. “Or so the legend says.” He shook his head. “Of course no armored wolf has been seen.” That got a couple of laughs and chuckles. He then sat down on his stone chair. “So let the stories continue.” He said.

  Ellie looked at him. The camp director seemed to be deep in his thoughts. Most likely because of his story. Ellie wondered what he was thinking though. She wanted to ask him about the armored wolves but she probably wouldn't be able to ask him until the next day.

  Chapter Seven

  That night, Ellie was asleep in her bed when she heard something call her name. She opened her eyes and sat up. She looked around. It was pitch dark in the cabin but she knew that her cabin mates were still with her. The only noise she heard now was the sound of people moving in their beds and snoring. She then heard something call her name again. She looked in the direction of the door. Whatever it was seemed to be coming from outside. It was amazing that no one else had woken up to the noise. The wind then blew and the door opened slowly.

  “ Ellie.” The voice whispered softly again. Ellie got out of her bed and took a step towards the door. She looked at her friends. She was expecting them to wake up. She took another step and that was when she realized why they hadn’t woken up. She wasn’t making any noise. “Ellie.” The voice whispered again.

  Ellie put her jacket and sandals on. She wasn’t expecting to go too far out into the camp. Just by her cabin to see who was whispering her name. She went outside and expected to see someone there. To her surprise, there was no one. The wind blew again and the voice whispered her name. She wondered if the wind had carried the whisper to her. She turned and looked at the clock that was on the door. It wasn’t working.

  Ellie frowned. She could have sworn it had been ticking before she had gone to bed. She then smiled. She could easily say that she had lost track of time if she stayed outside too long. She looked in the direction that the whispering voice had come from. It was coming from the forest. She ran and followed a trail into the forest. The only thing directing her feet was the whispering voice. The voice then stopped. Ellie stopped and frowned. She then looked around. She was suddenly scared. She couldn’t believe that she had chased a whispering voice just because it was saying her name.

  She then heard a growling sound from behind her. Ellie’s eyes widened as she recognized it. It was the same growling noise as from her dream. She turned around slowly and there it was. Just like her dream, it was a black wolf with black armor. Ellie gasped as the armored wolf took a step towards her. “Leave me alone.” She whimpered, scared for her life. Mr. Wolfe had said that the armored wolves were protectors but he must have never seen an armored wolf in person. This one was staring at her and was still walking towards her. Ellie stumbled back and tripped over a root. As she fell to the ground, she sprained her ankle. She cried out in pain.

  The armored wolf kept walking towards her. Ellie crawled away from him, gritting her teeth as she felt a flare of pain shoot up her leg from her sprained ankle. “Stay away!” She cried. She started crying. The armored wolf stopped for a minute and then went up to her. Ellie closed her eyes and expected her death. She then felt something furry against her sprained ankle. She opened her eyes and looked down. The armored wolf’s head was at her ankle. Ellie reached down and touched the armored wolf’s head with a trembling hand.

  The armored wolf looked up at her as he rubbed her ankle gently. “You wanted me to show myself to you.” Ellie gasped. The creature’s mouth didn’t move but he still spoke to her.

  “How are you doing that?”
She asked. The armored wolf laughed but his mouth still didn’t move. “ I am using mind speech. It’s how we’re able to communicate.” He answered.

  Ellie blinked. “Mind speech?” She asked. So that was why she had been the only one to have heard him whisper her name and no one else did. The armored wolf nodded. Ellie then remembered what Lisa and April had told her. “Is it true that you’re a guardian?” She asked.

  The armored wolf sat up. “Yes child. I protect people. Anyone who comes here is under our protection.” He answered.

  Ellie was surprised by that. “There’s more of you?” She asked. Where were the other ones?

  The armored wolf nodded. “Yes. There are ten of us in all. We’re here to protect.” He answered. The way he answered her made Ellie think that if he could, the armored wolf would be laughing.

  Ellie reached up and touched her cheek that had been bruised. “Did you?” She asked.

  The armored wolf nodded. “ Yes child. I even came to you in your sleep and healed you of your bruise.” He answered.

  Ellie looked at him and then at her ankle. “Did you just heal my ankle?” She asked. The armored wolf nodded. Ellie sat up and looked around before shivering. It wasn't because the armored wolf had showed up in her sleep. She pulled her jacket closer around her. The armored wolf stood up on all four and went up to her. He sat behind her.

  Ellie was expecting to feel metal from the armor but she didn’t. She looked at the armored wolf. His armor was gone. Instead, he had what looked like a metal loop around his neck. Ellie wondered if his armor had gone into that. She leaned against his fur and felt warm. She laid her head against his chest and yawned. She was getting tired.

  The armored wolf looked down at her. “You’re tired, aren’t you?” He asked. Ellie nodded. The armored wolf stood up. “Climb on my back and I’ll take you back to your cabin.” He told her. Ellie slowly stood up and nearly fell. She must have been more worn out then she realized. The armored wolf caught her before she fell. Ellie climbed onto his back and laid against him. Her hands clung to the metal loop. As the armored wolf carried her back to her cabin, Ellie fell asleep.

  Ellie woke up a few minute later. The armored wolf had her in front of the cabin. The door was still open. Ellie slid off of his back. “Here you go.” The armored wolf told her.

  Ellie looked back at him. “Thank you.” She whispered.

  The armored wolf looked at her. “You’re welcome.” He told her.

  Ellie reached up and rubbed the armored wolf’s head. “Will I see you again?” She asked. She felt safe with the armored wolf. It was like he actually cared for her.

  The armored wolf shook his head and Ellie’s heart sank. “The chances are slim. The others might get suspicious of why you’re so tired throughout this week. And they might find it odd that I’m talking to you so much since I rarely talk to you.” He told her.

  Ellie then hugged him around her head. The armored wolf rubbed against Ellie’s head and reconsidered what he had told her. “If you’re ever in trouble call for me and I’ll come to you as quickly as I can.” He told her. Ellie took a step back and looked at the armored wolf.

  “I don’t know your name.” She said in a soft voice. “How can I call for our help?”

  The armored wolf looked at her. It looked like he was amused. “You already know who I am. You’ve seen me quite a few times in human form. I’m the reason why you’re here.” He told her.

  Ellie’s eyes widened as she realized what the armored wolf was saying. “Are you Darian?” She asked hesitantly.

  The armored wolf nodded. “Yes child. I am Darian Wolfe. Your protector.” He answered.

  Ellie smiled. She hugged the armored wolf’s head again. “Thank you.” She said softly. She didn't care what anyone told her about Darian. To her, he was her hero and she knew that she was safe with him being there.

  The armored wolf wrapped a paw around her and held her. “You need to get to bed now.” He told her. “You’ll see me throughout the week.”

  Ellie smiled and went into her cabin. The door closed behind her. Darian ran off into the woods.

  Chapter Eight

  Ellie woke up the next morning with the other girls. She sat up and turned to the black armored wolf painting. She smiled and placed her hand on it. “Good morning.” She whispered. She didn’t want the others to hear her talking to it. They would think that she was crazy. She then got changed and joined the others as they started to meet at the door with their counselor. As the girls were going to breakfast, a car pulled up into the parking lot. Ellie gasped and hid inside her group, making sure that the car couldn’t see her.

  Darine looked at her. “What is it?” She asked. The others were too busy talking with each other to really notice Ellie’s behavior.

  Ellie pointed at the car. “It’s my mom’s car.” She answered. “But it isn’t my mother driving it.” As if to prove her point, Jared came out and to make matters worse, he looked angry.

  Darine looked at Ellie. “Don’t worry. He can’t take you away if you have permission to be here.” She said.

  Ellie looked at her before she looked back at her stepdad. She was happy that she was able to hide for right now but she wasn’t sure how long she would be able to stay hidden. “You don’t know what he’s capable of doing.” She told Darine. She was scared. Her mom did give her permission to go on the field trip but her stepdad would remind her that he was in charge and punish her for disobeying what he wanted.

  Ellie then remembered what Darian had told her. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She felt someone take her hand. She opened and saw Darine holding her hand. “Do it.” Darine whispered.

  Ellie wondered if Darine knew what she was trying to do but didn’t really care. She closed her eyes and concentrated again. “Darian. Help me. Jared is here and he might try to hurt me.” She thought. She then opened her eyes to see if Darian was coming. Her heart sank when she didn’t see him.

  Jared was looking around. Where was she? That brat of a stepdaughter of his had to be here somewhere. A man then came out of the office and went up to him. “Welcome to Camp Wolfwood.” The man said. “I’m Mr. Wolfe, the camp director here.” He held his hand out but once it was clear that Jared wasn’t going to shake his hand, he lowered it.

  Jared looked at Mr. Wolfe. “Where is she?” He demanded. Mr. Wolfe frowned. “Who are you talking about?” He asked, confused. There were a lot of girls there. Who was this man after exactly?

  Jared took a step towards him. “Don’t play stupid with me. I know that my stepdaughter Ellie is here.” He told Mr. Wolfe.

  Mr. Wolfe shook his head. “I don’t know any Ellie.” He said, stalling for time. He knew who Ellie was and who this man was. Darian had told him about the two.

  In the mess hall, Ellie’s group was sitting at a table like all the other groups were. Ellie looked over her shoulder, hoping to see Darian nearby. Instead, she saw Mrs. Wolfe talking to Mr. Adams. It sounded like it was serious. “If Jared is here for Ellie, we have to hide her for a while.” Mrs. Wolfe was saying.

  Ellie frowned. How did they already know? Last she had seen, Mr. Wolfe was still talking to Jared. She then wondered if it was Mrs. Wolfe who had sent him out to confront Jared while she went to talk to Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams looked outside. Ellie looked as well. To her horror, so were others but they didn’t seem to connect Jared to her. Mr. Wolfe was still talking to Jared.

  Mr. Adams looked back at Mrs. Wolfe. “Where would we hide her?” He asked.

  Mrs. Wolfe smiled. “I know of a good location.” She answered. “It’s called the Wolf Statue Chamber. There’s a place that we can hide her there.”

  Mr. Adams sighed. “But I doubt she’s eaten breakfast yet” The two of them looked at Ellie.

  Mrs. Wolfe produced a small lunch bag from her bag. “There’s some breakfast in here. It’ll last her for a while.” She answered simply. She then frowned. “We don’t have much time left. Will you be willing to help us or not
?” She asked. The way she was saying that made it clear that she wasn’t giving Mr. Adams a choice.

  Mr. Adams looked towards Ellie. He then looked back at Mrs. Wolfe. “Very well. If it means her safety, then let’s do this.” He said.

  Mrs. Wolfe smiled. “Excellent. I’ll hide her now.” Mrs. Wolfe then went over to Ellie. “We need to go.” She told her.

  Ellie was suddenly scared. “Where am I going?” She asked.

  The others looked at the two. Mrs. Wolfe wasn’t a teacher. She was a police officer. Was Ellie in trouble? Mrs. Wolfe looked outside. “To a safe place.” She answered. She then closed her mouth. “He’ll be waiting for you there.”

  Ellie’s eyes widened. She had heard Mrs. Wolfe in her head. “You can do mind speech?” She asked in her mind.

  Mrs. Wolfe looked outside again. “Yes, I can.” She answered in Ellie’s head.

  Ellie looked at her friends. “Okay. Don’t tell Jared I’m here.” She told them. They nodded, a bit confused except for Lisa. Mrs. Wolfe led Ellie out through the back of the dining hall.

  The two of them ran to the forest. “Darian. Are you here?” Mrs. Wolfe called out.

  A black wolf in armor came out. “Yes?” It asked in their heads. Ellie smiled and ran to him. She was so happy to see him again. She hugged his head. The armored wolf looked up at her. “What is it?” He asked her in her mind.