I squeezed my eyes shut. I could hear the crunch of snow to the right of me, beneath the weight of something very big, and decided it was time to face whatever it was.
I slowly opened my eyes until I was able to peek through my lashes, but I didn’t see anything. I let them open fully, and found myself staring at…nothing. I lifted my head and pushed my back away from the tree. The moon’s light had slipped through the trees, shining down like a spotlight in front of me. The top layer of the snow looked like someone had gone a little crazy with glitter dust, and it sparkled brilliantly under the moon, but something just beyond the light and into the darkness caught my attention.
I squinted and leaned forward on my hands, trying to make out the figure, but it was like trying to see a shadow in the dark. It was getting closer, but the movements were slow, deliberate, and that confused me. I held my breath and waited until the shadow finally revealed itself.
I nearly collapsed in relief when I recognized the familiar silhouette as it drew nearer to the light of the moon. I stood up with surprising speed. The rush of uncertainty that I had experienced just moments ago, had gotten my adrenaline pumping, and I was rewarded with a renewed sense of oomph. I dusted off my butt, flinging crushed snow onto the ground. I was going to need to change my pants again, and I hoped there would be another dry pair inside the totes I had found in the shed. I rubbed my frozen palms off on the tops of my thighs and stood up fully.
My eyes connected with the wolf’s in front of me, and the sound that escaped my lips sounded strangled. As I stared at the wolf, I realized there was something missing. There was no calming response that washed over me, there was no hypnotic hum, buzzing under my skin.
Unfortunately for me, I was not staring into the eyes of My Wolf.
I stood there frozen, like a deer caught in headlights; only I was a girl caught in sight of menacing red eyes. I couldn’t move I couldn’t breathe, and all my brain kept telling me was: Run! Run as hard and as fast as you can, and as far as your legs will carry you!
But I knew there would be no point in that. If he wanted to catch me, if he was planning on killing me, running would be futile because he would catch me and he would kill me.
You have to try though! My thoughts argued.
Without thinking about it anymore, I turned on my feet, my hair whipping across my face, momentarily blinding me, and I took off in the opposite direction. I could hear a low hissing sound behind me. It sounded oddly enough like a chuckle, and the mocking echo pushed me harder.
I ran as fast I could. I ran until I could no longer feel my legs or my feet hitting the ground. My breathing was loud as I sped through the forest, dodging tree after tree. The sound of my breathing filled the spaces around me, until that was the only thing I could focus on. I wanted to turn around and see if he had started to follow me yet, but I was afraid if I did that it would be the end.
My lungs were starting to burn and smolder inside my chest, my heart had swelled to three times its size and was threatening to explode. My eyes were burning and watering from the sharp wind, and my legs were starting to disintegrate. I could feel my body starting to slow down, and no matter how hard I pushed I wasn’t going any faster. I decided it was time to look behind me because no matter what, I wouldn’t be able to outrun the wolf forever.
Without slowing down anymore then I had too, I threw a quick glance behind me. I searched frantically around, but I didn’t see anything. Everything looked the same to me, but he could easily be hidden within the shadows once more. I turned back around, slowing to a jog, and then came to a full stop. I stumbled toward a tree, placing my hand against the rough, frozen bark, and bent over. I felt nauseous and I couldn’t gasp air fast enough to refill my shriveled lungs. I coughed until my throat burned, and then the coughing turned into gagging.
My body was throbbing in pain, and it took all of my strength not to collapse right here and now. When the dry heaves finally passed, I spit a few times, trying to get rid of the feeling of needing to be sick. I turned around, leaving my hand against the tree, my arm twisting and my fingers bending, until I could rest the back of my head against the tree. I could feel the strands of my hair getting caught, getting snarled on the shards of the bark, but I ignored the tingling sensations it caused as they were pulled from my scalp.
I opened my eyes, only to be surrounded by more darkness, and I suddenly had the strangest feeling of déjà vu. I frowned and rubbed my face, but couldn’t shake the feeling of having been in this same spot before. I looked around the forest, but couldn’t see any one thing that I recognized. I looked to my right, but didn’t see anyone or anything move in the distance. I took a deep breath, and rolled my head toward the left hoping that side would be clear as well. I squinted, but couldn’t make out anything in the shadows of the trees.
I wanted to feel relieved. I wanted to believe that I had managed to out run the wolf, or he had gotten tired of the cat and mouse game, but something told me it wouldn’t be that easy. The longer I continued to stare in the direction that I had run from, the more it became clearer why I had the feeling of déjà vu.
Walking slowly out of the darkness was a wolf, so dark he camouflaged in the shadows. His eyes glowed bright red, against the dark contrast of his fur, as they watched me. I shook my head, not believing it was possible. There was no way I had just run in a straight line, for at least five minutes, and ended up in the same exact spot. I frowned not wanting to look down, convincing myself that it wouldn’t be the there when I looked up again, there was no way it could be!
I didn’t want to take my eyes off the monster in the dark, but I needed to make myself believe that what I was seeing wasn’t real. I looked down slowly, scolding my heart for the projected fear that was violently racing through me, leaving me breathless. My heart sank. The fear coursing through my body exploded and I nearly choked on the scream that tore at my throat for freedom.
I stared blankly at the crushed snow and imprint of where I had been sitting earlier. I followed the trail of messy footprints that I had left behind in my rapid escape.
I wanted to scream! I was so confused, I didn’t know how any of this was possible, how could I run, and run, and run some more, and somehow end up in the same spot?
The sound of the wolf moving through the snow made my head snap up, and I realized he was walking toward me. His long legs managed to carry him alarmingly close to me with only a few strides. I was determined not to make this easy on him. I watched him closing in; I concentrated on every move he made. I slowly moved my hands to my sides, until both palms were resting against the tree.
He seemed to know what I was planning to do and he stopped, watching my hands closely. If wolves could snicker, I would swear that’s what he was doing right now. I mentally counted to three, and then used my hands to push away from the tree. Launching myself forward, I took off straight ahead of me, ignoring the protest of my body. I could feel the stray strands of my hair as they were pulled from my scalp.
The muscles in my legs were getting tighter and it made it hard to bend them in the motions I needed to keep running. I could feel the cramp coming, but stopping wasn’t an option, so I tried to ignore it, hoping my body would work past it.
It might have actually worked if I hadn’t managed to step on a stupid random rock, causing my ankle to buckle out from beneath me, and I went down hard on my knees, my legs twisting awkwardly out from underneath me. Out of instinct, my hand flew out hoping to help absorb some of the blow, and I grabbed the tree, slicing my palm on it.
I cried out, pulling my hand back, and collapsed on all fours in the snow, my body pleading with me to give up. I sat there on my hands and knees exhausted, but I managed to push myself back up slowly, and I examined my hand. Blood had smeared over my palm, and left a bright bloody print in the snow. I held my injured hand by the wrist, trying to squeeze off the pain, and got clumsily to my feet. I used the tree to support most of my weight, inching my back up along the tree. My legs
weren’t ready to take on the weight of my body yet, and I stumbled a little. Instinct had me reaching for the tree with my hurt hand, and I bit my lip against the searing pain as my palm flattened against the jagged bark. I pulled it away, and uncurled my fingers to examine the mess.
My good hand flew to my mouth as I started down and my hand.
No! It wasn’t possible! I was shaking my head violently, denying the truth before my eyes.
No, no, NO!
My fingers shook as I reached for my injured hand, and pulled off the strands off my hair that had stuck to the blood that was now starting to dry. I looked at the tree that I had just been touching. More strands of my hair stuck to the wood, blowing lightly in the wind. I knew if I looked down, I would see two separate sets of footprints leading away from the tree, in two separate directions. I knew if I turned around, I would see him emerging from the shadows; his red eyes mocking me and my failed attempts at escape. As if it could hear my thoughts, I heard the low snicker of a growl behind me.
Without thinking, I took off again, turning and dodging the tree that was beginning to hunt me. The muscles in my legs cooperated with me this time, and I ran until everything blurred around me. I knew I was making more ground this time, I could feel it. I was actually out running this nightmare. I felt like I was hovering above the ground as I sped away. Just a little bit farther, and then maybe I would finally be in the clear. The moon shone brightly on my path, almost like it was leading me out of the deception, away from the trickery my mind was playing.
I could see something in the distance. It glistened boldly under the shower of light from the moon.
I squinted, trying to make out what it was ahead of me. I slowed just a little as it got closer, and then skidded to a stop when I realized what it was. I dropped to my knees. My body was officially done. I was done. I glared down at the bloody handprint that glinted mockingly at me under the moonlight. No matter how far or in what direction I ran, I ended up right back at this spot every time.
I could hear him behind me again. He was closer than he had been the other times, and I knew that when I stood up and turned around, he would be within arm’s reach. I stood up slowly and turned around. I didn’t show any signs of being afraid, even though my heart was pounding. When his eyes dropped to my chest I knew he could hear it, and I suddenly felt the urge to hit him. My hands balled into fists, and I disregarded the stinging pain that shot up my right hand. I don’t know what made me do it, but if I was going to be ripped apart by this wolf, I was determined to at least get in one good hit.
I raised my fist, and put all my weight behind the blow as my arm came around to deliver the punch. What should have been a fast and hopefully painful hit was stopped in midair. It was like watching it in slow motion. I frowned and looked at my fist suspended in the air. I tried to force my hand forward, but I couldn’t move it. I could feel the invisible hold over my palm, and I struggled to free my hand. My body jerked all around as I used my other hand to pull at my trapped fist, but it wouldn’t budge.
I could see the wolf out of the corner of my eye, watching me in amusement, and I immediately stopped struggling. I’d be damned if I was going to continue to be his entertainment. I was breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling rapidly after the struggle. He cocked his head to the side, like he was trying to figure me out. I squared off my shoulders and stood up straighter, staring him down, not wanting to show him any fear. His head bobbed once as if he was signaling something, and my eyes quickly darted around. I was vaguely aware that my arm was still frozen in the air, and the muscle of my bicep was starting to burn. I tried a small tug to see if it would come loose, but it was still tightly gripped.
Out of my peripheral vision I saw the recipient of the signal.
I saw the first wolf take a step to the side as a second wolf approach us standing just a few inches behind the first wolf. The second wolf’s lips pulled back into a low, but chilling, snarl. I clenched my muscles, resisting the urge to shudder. He leaned his head back, and the sharp points of his canines gleamed in the darkness menacingly. I swallowed hard, trying to calm my stomach. The frightening figure dropped his head, and my arm fell limp, and hung achingly at my side. My eyes flickered toward the second wolf, as he just stared at me. I sighed in relief as my stiff muscles had the chance to relax, and I rubbed my bicep trying to restore circulation.
Pointless or not, I turned to run again. I didn’t have a chance to move an inch before I ran into an invisible wall, and was instantly slammed back against the tree, hitting my head, sending off an explosion of bright lights. I screamed as the excruciating pain of the hit penetrated the soft tissue and muscles of my back, knocking the breath from me and chocking off the rest of my shriek. That same invisible force as before held me tightly in place, prisoner to the tree. When I could focus around the intense bursts of pain shooting down my back, I tried to struggle, but that only made the unseen band around me tighten, cutting off my oxygen and circulation. Tears stung my eyes as I felt my rib cage crushing under the pressure, squeezing my lungs into mush. I clawed at the undetectable force around me, but my frantic attempts were useless. I couldn’t breathe anymore, and I imagined my face and lips turning purple as the last of the air was taken from me. The world began to spin around me, and I could feel my eyes rolling back into my head. I could faintly hear the snarl of one of the wolves, and then I felt the hold loosen just enough to let me gasp for air. My body went slack against the nothing that was holding me, and I was instantly attacked by a series of coughs.
My head snapped up as I tried to regain composure, and I glared up at the two wolves. The rage that filled my body was intoxicating, and made me shake. I didn’t know how this was happening, and honestly at this point I didn’t really care, but it was obvious that they were the ones doing this to me, and that made me want to kill them, I wanted to enjoy watching them die. These feelings scared me and I pulled in some of my anger.
On impulse I tilted my head back, sucked in as much air as I could, and let out a scream so loud that it hurt my own ears. Both wolves dropped their heads and started to whine, protesting the sound that was invading their sensitive ears. I was able to get out another scream, and form the sound into Andres’ name. I was about to let out a last shrilling scream when I heard his voice.
“SARA!” he shouted back.
I cried out in relief.
Andres was close.
“SARA! Where are you?!”
I opened my mouth to scream again when I heard the first wolf growl angrily at the second wolf, and my shout was cut off short. I shook my head, but of course it was no use. The grip around my mouth was furious, tightening until the edges of my teeth cut into my lip. I tasted blood.
The first wolf turned to look at the second, and within a blink of an eye he was gone. Tears ran down my face, because I knew he was going after Andres and I had no idea of warning him what was about to come his way.
I struggled with all of the strength I had left in my entire body, working every muscle I could possibly use, trying to free myself, but it was pointless, I wasn’t going anywhere. I could see the wolf coming closer to me, a torturous glint in his eyes, and ever so slowly I could feel the air being squeezes from my body once again. I squirmed franticly, knowing the only reason he had not killed me before was because of the other wolf. He was gone now and there was nothing to stop him.
I knew my eyes were bulging and I could feel the blood draining from my face as the band got tighter, twisting my insides. I heard the snap about a second before my side was consumed by a searing pain that made me see bright white spots. I knew every bone in my body was going to continue to crack and crumble under the force, and I prayed that I would pass out before that happened. More pain assaulted me, and I could feel the approach of unconsciousness- a sensation I was becoming accustomed to tonight- flowing through my veins, and I willed it to come faster.
It all happened in a blur. The wolf had been so intent on killing me slowly
that he hadn’t seen it coming either. Before I knew what was happening, My Wolf was there, running at full speed, his footfalls sounding like rolling thunder. He dropped his head and plowed into the second wolf, sending him flying across the forest, knocking down the trees as he went. He finally slammed into one that wasn’t going anywhere, even under his massive weight. He made wasted effort to try and push himself up, but he was too badly injured to hold his own weight and he fell back down.
The bind on me was instantly released, and I collapsed on the ground, my body distorted in unimaginable pain. Breathing didn’t come easily, and I was slow to pull in air. I lay there wondering if rescue had come too late, as the world spun around me.
I just wanted to lay there, I didn’t want to move, or talk, or even think, because pain was involved with all of those actions, but then I remembered Andres, and I couldn’t just lay there if he still needed help. I moved to get up, but quickly stopped, crying out in pain. Clutching my left thigh, I moved again, shifting positions until I could see my thigh. I could see the blood already seeping into the material of my jeans. With shaky fingers, I pushed open the tear in my jeans, revealing the gash in my thigh. It was about a finger length long, but it didn’t look very deep.
I was dizzy and I concentrated on breathing as I heard My Wolf coming toward me. He whined urgently, and nuzzled my arm with his cold nose. A different type of electric shocks attacked me at his touch, the painless tremor left my body buzzing uncontrollably. I turned my head toward him, biting my tongue against the pain of the small movement, and tried to smile at him, but even that hurt.
“Andres.” I managed to gasp out at My Wolf, over the pain of trying to sit up.
He tried to push my shoulder gently back down, but when I winced he quickly pulled back and whined again.
“I’m okay,”
I tried to sound convincing, but the pain had me gritting my teeth. “You…need…to…find…Andres,” I choked out. “There is another wolf, he went after Andres.”
Flutter (The Discover Series) Page 15