Rogue Moon

chapter 15

~~~a few days later~~~

Yawning I sat up from my cozy spot on the mattress, stretching my arms out above my head, looking next to me, I wasn't surprised by the fact my wolf beast of a companion was laying next to me hogging up more of the bed. Sighing, I stood up, as soon as my blanket fell off, a cold chill coursed through me.

The days were getting colder, and lately, we had been surviving off the various rabbits and squirrels we could catch, and even some of the wild plants that I managed to scavenge. Luckily my sprained ankle was doing better and the wolf as well.

With winter looming over our heads I knew it would be rough surviving out here on our own, but I couldn't go back home. Gramps would have a heart attack if I came back with the wolf beast, and who knows how he would react towards other people? I was lucky enough that he seemed to like me, And I mean really like me...

There wasn't a single night that I didn't find him curled up around me, and he was constantly watching me while we stayed in the cabin. Despite his stubborn nature, he was gentle...and sometimes I swear he can understand me. it was so strange... Maybe im losing my mind?

Moving over to the fireplace, I started loading it up with wood logs that had been set aside. Unfortunately, that was the last of the wood... Meaning I would need to chop more if we didn't want to freeze to death this winter. I really wish we had gas stove or generator but that was just wishful thinking at this point.

Groaning, I lit the fire and sat down enjoying its warmth. Shortly after, I was accompanied by the wolf. Smiling down at him as he laid beside me, I ran my hand over his head rubbing his ears. Glancing back at his bandages I turned around and started to remove them. I expected to see the gruesome torn-up wounds but was surprised to see little more than pink scars covering the area.

"Your already healed?!" I turned to look at the wolf only to receive a very wet kiss on the cheek making me giggle as I tried to push his face away. "That means your going to be hunting for food now right?"

The wolf simply huffed and moved closer to lay his head in my lap. Smiling I rubbed his ears once again, causing him to lean into my touch. "Come on let's go outside."

Standing up, I slipped on my boots and grabbed a small blanket, holding it over my shoulders to try and keep warm. Going out the door we were greeted with grey clouds looming above promising us rain. This was terrible timing. Storms could quickly become dangerous considering we had no food stored and we needed dry firewood.

Looking around the cabin, the wolf beast followed me curiously, no doubt wondering what I was looking for. Luckily it was easy to find and I smiled at the welcoming sight... An axe.

Walking over to the wonder tool, I could see it hadn't been used in a while and was embedded into a tree stump. Grabbing its wooden handle I attempted to pull it free with one hand...it didn't budge. Using both hands I pulled harder, only to have no luck.

Sighing angrily I kicked the tree stump. Why was everything so damn difficult? Looking back at the wolf beast he tilted his head to the side curiously. "I don't suppose you can pull it out can you?"

His ears folded back and I cracked a smile, before looking back at the axe. "Ok...one more time."

Grabbing the axe I used my weight to try and pull the tool free. Finally, the blade slipped out of the tree stump making me lose balance and fall back once again. Looking down at the old axe in my hands I smiled. "I got it!"

Standing up with the axe in my hands I looked at the wolf vast, only for my smile to turn into a confused frown.

He was standing a distance away with his head down and body stiff, something was off..." hey...are you ok?..." Setting the axe down on the ground I approached him cautiously.

The wolf's body was rigid and his hair was standing up. And I could hear a faint growl coming from the vast as he kept his head down. A knot settled in my stomach as I got closer and hesitantly touched the wolf's fur.

Its head snapped up and I stumbled back as it snapped at my hand. Hanging from its neck the pendant glowed a crimson red.

The wolf started thrashing around wildly while backing away, the sickening sound of bones cracking came from the beast as it started to transform into its previous form. I started to scoot away until my back came in contact with a tree.

He was losing control again?! The creature thrashed around shaking its head and trying to back away. It bumped into a tree before throwing itself onto the ground. Digging its claws into the dirt as if to anchor itself.

He didn't want to hurt me...he doesn't want to run rampid! I have to do something!

Standing up, I quickly rush over to the wolf and kneel beside it. "Please! Get a hold of yourself! You can't lose control...Whatever is making you act like this... Fight it!"

The beast snarled before knocking me back. "Ah?!" He was on top of me within seconds and still struggling. Its lips pulled back showing its fangs.

Memories of when it attacked me before flashed in my mind as I watched it open its maw as if to swallow me whole. Glancing to my side I could see the ax was within reach. The wolf's fangs lunged for my throat and I quickly blocked its attack with the ax's handle.

Razor-sharp fangs dug into the wood and I could see it was starting to splinter, this wasn't enough!

Pushing it back the best I could, I rolled out from under the wolf as it snapped the wooden handle in half. Jumping to my feet I quickly ran back to the cabin. The beast snapped at my heels as I quickly rushed up the steps and inside the house. Slamming the door shut behind me I put the wooden bar down and stepped away.

I screamed as the door nearly broke down from the first Impact of the wolf beast ramming into it. Backing away from the door, I waited as it continued to ram into the door, making the hinges come loose and the cracks in the wood to grow. I covered my ears trying to block out the sounds of the beast's snarls and banging against the wooden doors. Wishing for it to end... My previous fears quickly returning... This was the creature I was afraid of.

After a moment it grew quiet and I looked up, almost expecting it to break through with one final attack. I could faintly see movement through the cracks of the door but it wasn't attacking anymore. Moving to hide behind the table I watched as it paced outside.

From one of the larger cracks, I could see the beast stop in front of the door unmoving. I held my breath waiting for it to go away. A deep growl sounded and I covered my mouth as it peered at me through the small hole. A chill ran down my spine and I knew this wasn't the same kind wolf I was used to. This was a bloodthirsty killer... And I was its prey.

----Hours later----

Everything was silent. How long had it been? How much time passed? The beast had stopped trying to break in a while ago, its growling and snarls had grown silent.

I didn't bother to check to see if he was gone or if he was alright... Because the creature out there was not the same one that curled up around me at night to keep me warm...it was one bent on tearing out my throat.

Staying away from it whenever it lost control seemed to be the safest option... Until it came back to reality and settled down.

Glancing back at the door I could see no movement and I still heard nothing. I could see it was starting to get late... I had barricaded myself inside for hours now...surely he was back to normal?...

Standing to my feet I grabbed the metal fire poker next to the fireplace and moved towards the door. Peeking through the cracks in the would I couldn't see any sign of the beast.

Stepping back I looked down at the wooden bar that kept the door barricaded. Should I even risk it? What if he's not back to normal? What if he's just waiting outside for me to come out so he can reach me. I was lucky he hadn't killed me yet... He nearly tore out my throat last time...

Taking a shaky breath I removed the wooden bar and tugged open the wooden door that was barely staying in place.

Stepping outside I looked around, but there was no sign of him. Claw marks marred the door and cabin walls. Relief and worry tugged at me as I stepped off the porch and went around back. Looking over to where we had found the axe I could see it now laid useless on the ground, its handle completely broken in half.

Scanning the area I could faintly make out a dark figure just past the treeline. Gripping the iron rod in my hand I slowly approached. As I got closer, I could see blood, coating the surrounding foliage. My once peaceful companion was hunched over the mangled corpse of what looked like a deer. Its body was shred to pieces. He had attacked it far behind the point of its death.

I tried to open my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I couldn't speak...what would I even say in a situation like this? He must have sensed my presence, as his ear twitched and he turned his attention towards me. I was prepared to run for my life but I could see in his eyes the burning need for bloodlust was gone...replaced by sorrow.

Lowering the iron rod I looked him over, his face was covered in blood along with his claws. He almost seemed ashamed of what he had done.

His head hung low as he averted his eyes, and I could feel a tightness in my chest. We stood there in silence for a moment and he continued to stare at all the blood before him.

After a while we finally went back to the cabin, as he sat in front of the fireplace I grabbed some water in a bowl and a clean rag, immediately I started to clean the blood from his hands, then his face.

It caused an ache in my heart to see the creature so solum. Once I was done, he moved to lay down on the other side of the room, away from where we usually slept. He kept his back turned towards me and I sighed.

I moved over to add wood to the fire only to remember that I had used the last of it... Not to mention we no longer had an axe to chop more. Night was falling and I didnt want to go out in the dark to gather sticks. Sulking, I moved over to the bed.

Glancing back at the beast one more time I wanted him to come back over, to curl up and sleep with me again...but I also wanted to keep him at a distance, the fear of another attack, just scratching at the back of my mind.

Admitting defeat, I curled up under the blanket as night fell, and tried to get some sleep.

I'm not sure how much time had passed, the cold had set in during the night, and despite the blankets that covered me I was still freezing. I was half asleep when something shifted beside me, and warmth enveloped me, it was comforting, to say the least. Closing my eyes I relaxed into the warm fur of the beast and fell back into my dreams.