Only Broken

Between Beasts

I gasp and step back as adrenaline surges through my system. The massive creature growls again, moving toward me, and my heart pounds violently against my ribs.

Foamy saliva drips from its mouth—an undeniable sign of rabies—and a strong, pungent stench radiates from it in nauseating waves.

It steps closer, and for the first time, I take in its sheer size, one word coming to mind: wolf.

But no. It can't be.

I've seen wolves before, and they’re nothing like this. Not this massive, not this terrifying.

I know I can't outrun it, so I do the only thing I can—I stay put, hoping it will lose interest. Slowly, I lower myself to the ground, forcing my breathing to steady. But the creature doesn’t stop. It doesn’t waver. Its golden eyes stay locked on me, telling me I'm the prey to be killed.

Suddenly it halts. Fifteen steps away.

My breath catches in my throat.

I know what that means.

I close my eyes, bracing for the inevitable, but before the attack comes, another growl—louder, deeper—shatters the silence.

My eyes fly open.

To my right, another beast emerges from the trees—this one darker, larger. Black fur ripples over powerful muscles, and my last shred of hope vanishes.

I contemplate how painful it's going to be having two creatures biting into my flesh when the brown one suddenly growls at the black one. The two creatures face each other and for a moment I'm confused who the prey is here.

The brown one growls at the black one again, its stance shifting, but the new arrival doesn’t waver. Instead, it radiates an undeniable superiority and power over the brown one—yet, despite that, it refuses to submit.

Are they... fighting?

I don’t wait to find out.

With their attention off me, I scramble to my feet and bolt.

The ground trembles beneath my frantic steps whilst behind me, growls mix with the snapping of branches, but I don’t look back—until, stupidly I do.

I realize though that only one of them is chasing me and my eyes widen.

The brown one.

Terror grips me not knowing where the black one is. If it isn’t following me, then where is it?

Suddenly an exposed tree root catches my foot and I trip.

Pain explodes through me as I crash face-first into the dirt.

Dazed, I push myself up, my breath coming in ragged gasps. But then I remember—I'm being chased.

I spin around just in time to see the brown beast leaping toward me.

With nothing else to do, I throw up an arm in a feeble attempt to protect myself, expecting the worst.

But then—

A blur of black slams into the brown creature mid-air, knocking it off course.

My eyes widen.

The brown wolf crashes to the ground, motionless for a moment. The black one stands over it, muscles taut, and then its glowing red eyes shift to me.

The air stills.

I swallow, frozen under its piercing gaze as it steps closer. I contemplate getting up to run away but one look at my twisted ankle and I feel the tears at bay.

I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have walked away without telling anybody. I wish I could tell my parents how sorry I am, because by the time this creature is done with me they won't have anything to bury.

Tears prick my eyes as I regret every reckless decision that led me to this moment. My parents will never find me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the end. But seconds pass and nothing happens.

Suddenly a gust of wind brushes against my face, and I hesitantly open my eyes.

The black creature appears right in front of me, staring, but not with hostility.

My breath hitches as its red eyes unexpectedly shift—flickering from crimson to grey.

I crawl back instinctively, but the creature moves away as well, almost as if it senses my fear.

Confused, I stare at it.

Why hasn’t it attacked me?

It lowers itself onto the ground, resting its massive head on its paws, watching me with intelligent eyes.

"What... are you?" I whisper still staring into it's eyes that slowly begins to look familiar.

It doesn’t answer, of course, but I can't help but realize how similar it looks to a wolf. They both do, but why are they so huge? Am I dreaming?

I look behind me then stare at my ankle wondering if I can make it back to the site leaping. Or can I wait for it to heal.

A growl snaps my attention away and I turn to see the brown beast on its feet again, snarling, its sharp teeth bared.

The black one immediately rises, stepping between us, its stance defensive.

Is it protecting me?

The realization sends a jolt through my chest, but there’s no time to dwell on it.

I push myself up, wincing as pain shoots through my ankle.

I have to get out of here.

I limp away as fast as I can, my heart hammering. But then a sharp whimper echoes through the trees, making me stop.

I glance back—against better judgment—and my stomach drops.

The black creature is trapped.

Its paw is wedged between a tangle of exposed roots, and the brown one is closing in, ready to strike.

I look ahead.

I’m so close to the edge of the forest.

I could leave.

But—

I exhale sharply and grab a thick branch from the ground.

The pain in my ankle is already fading. I flex my foot, inhaling deeply before turning back to the brown wolf.

"Hey! You there!" I shout, gripping the branch tightly.

The beast swings its head toward me, saliva dripping from its mouth.

"That’s right, I’m talking to you," I force out, my voice shaking.

It takes a step forward.

I brace myself.

My grip tightens around the stick and I immediately swing it when the creature lunges for me.

Unfortunately the branch snaps between its powerful jaws, splintering like it’s nothing.

Horror fills me as it spits out the broken wood and glares at me with murderous intent.

I take a step back.

This was a mistake.

But before it can attack—

The black one is free.

A feral snarl rips through the air as it launches itself at the brown creature, tackling it away from me.

Relief floods through me— but I realize I did that too soon

Because in the next second, the brown wolf twists, ramming into me with its massive body.

The force sends me flying. The impact steals my breath as my back collides violently with a tree.

A sickening c***k echoes in my ears, pain erupting through my body.