Chapter 3
1174 Words
The one in the middle took threatening steps towards me: “You love to spy, huh? Let’s see how you would be able to walk, let alone the spy part after my boss, and we are done with you.”
Despite crushing inside, I didn’t look away from him. His filthy hand hovered just inches from my face when the phone in his pocket rang. He cursed under his breath and pulled it out. This was Emmy's phone, the one she lost at the club and begged me to bring it back.
I heard him say, “If you are this worried about your employee, then come and get her.” The person on the phone said something to him which I couldn’t hear, but he stepped forward and placed the phone to my ear. I tilted my head, holding it between my ear and shoulder. “What are you talking about?” I snapped. “I’m in the middle of an interrogation, and these idiots won’t stop wasting my time.” The person on the call was Emmy’s boss. He knew she must be with them that’s why he had called, warning her to bring the phone to him no matter what.
I gave him a signal to take the phone back. The moment he leaned in, I jerked forward and smashed my forehead into his groin.
He doubled over with a groan. Before he could recover, I threw my head forward again, this time colliding with his skull. He dropped to the ground, nearly unconscious.
Another man rushed at me. I jumped to my feet with the chair still on my back as my hand were still tied to it. I smashed the chair backward into his chest. He staggered away.
The third one grabbed me from behind, locking my arms. I leaned down fast, slamming the leg of the chair on his toes. He howled and yanked me forward. In his panic, he loosened his grip. I spun and flung myself at him. Smashed him across the face with the chair. The chair cracked, freeing my hands.
Before I could breathe, another attacker lunged. He tried to pin me from behind, but I slammed my elbow into his ribs. He stumbled back, gasping. I didn’t give him time to recover. I flipped, caught his head between my legs, and spun it with all my strength. His body crashed to the ground, and his back smacked against the hard floor. Blood spilled from his mouth as he groaned in agony.
I picked up Emmy’s phone from the corner of the floor and hurried out. The forest was darker than before. Wolves shouldn’t fear the forest; it’s supposed to be our home. But after what happened to my family, I feared it.
The tall and huge trees felt like they were closing in on me. I walked along the narrow path made to separate the grass from the walkway. Every step made the dry leaves rustle. It felt like the forest was alive with different hidden creatures at this hour.
Then a new sound made me freeze. It was not the usual nightlife. It was low, painful moans followed by the howling of wolves.
“Don’t mind them. Just get home,” I told myself and forced my steps faster.
But after a few strides, I stopped. My nails dug deep into my palms. I couldn’t just walk away, not when someone might be in danger. I had lived my life on high alert, but there is something about it that I cannot resist, and a raw instinct overtook me. Before my mind could process, my feet started dragging me towards the noise.
I ran deeper and deeper into the dark forest. The cries grew louder with every step until I reached the source. I pressed myself behind a large oak tree. My cheek scraped by the tree bark as I dared to peek out.
Two wolves slammed hard into the ground by another wolf, already badly injured. His back was to me, his fur shining silver-white in the dark. He was massive, twice the size of the others. But before he could recover, two more wolves lunged out of the shadows and struck him down. He let out a painful yelp as he collapsed.
Now all four grey-black wolves circled him.
I tilted myself away from the tree to get a clearer look, but the movement cost me. At once, all four wolves snapped their heads in my direction. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and blood dripped from their mouths.
I froze. My breath caught in my throat.
I ran!
I ran as fast as I could for my life. I even heard my heart pounding in my ears.
I knew I couldn’t beat them in speed. On my way here, I had noticed a cliff nearby with soft ground at the edge. Just in case, I had covered it with dry leaves. Now, with the wolves chasing me without giving me a second to think, that was the only plan I had.
A growl rose right next to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one wolf almost at my side. I could hear the wet snap of its jaws. Even without turning, I felt its hot breath brush against my arm. Its teeth rattled so close, I swore I could feel the vibration against my skin.
I clenched my fists and forced myself forward. The staged spot came into sight, and my legs moved faster on their own. Just as I was about to reach it. The very wolf’s sharp claws scraped across my back. My foot nearly slipped on the leaf, but I caught myself in time. The wolves jumped after me. The ground broke under their monstrous weight and fell down, taking three of them with it.
I gasped, sucking in a big gulp of air, trying to calm myself. After a moment, I hurried back to the injured wolf. He was still lying lifeless on the ground.
Step by step, I moved closer; my heart raced for reasons I couldn’t explain. He was massive, easily the biggest wolf I had ever seen. He had to be an Alpha. But he was badly hurt, his fur torn with deep punctures and bruises. He was bleeding all over.
I rushed to his side. His eyes were closed. His breathing was uneven and rough. After everything that had just happened, my mind was scattered, and I was unable to think straight. Still, looking at his wounds, I knew I had to stop the bleeding. I shut my eyes, forcing myself to focus, and only one thing came to my mind: yarrow leaves. They could help.
I was ready to search for them when I suddenly felt a heavy paw press against my thigh. It was him. Even in all that pain, he didn’t want me to leave.
Leaning closer to him, I whispered, “Hey… I just need to get some herbs for you.”
- Writer
