My Widowed Mate

The Secret of these woods

Trixies POV

The weather was hot and humidity today, though the shade from the tree did help a bit. I was still sweating as I walked along the trail farther into the forest. The chattering of forest animals surrounded me, along with the scent of pine trees and dirt. Birds chirped in the trees and even heard a hawk screeching as it flew over the head. Hikers would enjoy every moment being out here, but I was not a hiker.

My hair was falling out of my ponytail, sticking to my sweaty skin. My sweat drawled out Nats, the little flies kept flying into my eyes, and I kept having to swat them away. My boots were pinching my toes, and the bag I was carrying was killing my back. I felt a sharp, dull pain in my hip with each step I took. I f*****g hated being in the woods.

There was always something to trip on and the bugs never left me alone. They were always drawn to me no matter what I did. Brad loved hiking and being outdoors. We were very different people, but that's what we loved about each other. Brad used to try to get me out of the house for stuff like this every weekend, but I wanted to do stuff indoors. Like movies, dinner dates, roller skating, or bars. We ended up making a deal that one weekend we would do what I wanted to do, the next weekend we would do what he wanted to do. Marriage is full of sacrifices.

The weekend Brad disappeared. It was supposed to be his weekend to pick him up but he and his friends planned a camping trip. It was early spring, so hiking season was just coming back. I remember joking around, acting like I was so devastated to be stuck at home all weekend. I planned to get drunk and snack all day while he was gone. He was joking around back saying the following weekend he could take me hiking. I quit joking and told him no.

I somehow managed to get all the way up the trail without hurting myself. The trail led down to a river Bank with a mini waterfall. The current was slow and steady, flowers grew near the edges of the river, fishermen stood downstream hoping to catch a bite. Some people respectfully watched the water on the sides, talking with their friends or their partners.

I look at the map looking at where the trail ended by the river. Brad drew a line-up the river and circled a spot. There were no markings or clues to how far up the river it was. It was now late afternoon and the sun would be setting in a few hours. But I had to try to find something, and I had my flashlight with me. Building up some courage, I put my map away and began walking upstream.

I walked for a very long time searching for any sign of a camping ground. Soon all the people were gone as the sun was setting. I should've turned back awhile ago. It'll be pitch black outside once I get back to my car. Maybe I could try again another day and just leave earlier. As I turned to leave, I began getting that watched feeling again. I tried to ignore it, but I was so dark outside, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach.

Rustling noises started up on my right. I turned the flashlight that way quickly. An Oppossum appeared in the light and hissed at me before taking off. Still, I jumped back, gasping. Once it was gone, I couldn't help but chuckle at myself. "Just an oppossum," I whispered to myself as I turned to shine my flashlight back in front of me to guide me.

As I turned my attention back ahead of me, I realized I wasn't alone, and there was a human with me. My breath hitched as I saw a huge black wolf standing before me. Not just a big wolf, a huge abnormal sized wolf. The thing could take down 5 men at once. Its fur was pitch black, its yellow eyes glared right at me, its muzzles were scrunched up in anger. The wolf's teeth were longer than my fingers. I had no idea where it came from, or what breed of wolf it was. All I knew was it definitely didn't like me here.

I stood absolutely still watching it with horror. I couldn't run, this beast would take me down in no time. There was nothing I could do other than except that I may be on the menu for this wolf tonight. I began thinking of my past and of Brad. I wished I hadn't been so short-tempered with my mother. Wished I had chased my dreams harder. I took a deep breath as I accepted my fate, just hoping death would come quickly and not as painful.

As I watched the black wolf go in for the kill, I squeezed my eyes shut, ready for death. A snarl came from behind me and something rushed past me, the wind from it caused me to fall backwards and open my eyes. Before me was another wolf, same but grey with a black strip down its back. The grey one seemed to be challenging the black one. They snarled and growled at each other. Their ears were back, and their teeth were showing.

I couldn't do anything but watch. I was frozen with fear. The black one jumped first, but the grey one was faster as it jumped back. The grey wolf went in fast and bit the black one. It became a full fight in front of my eyes. I couldn't keep up, it was a flash of teeth and fur. All I could tell was the grey one winning.

I watched as the black one finally hit the ground and the grey one finished it off by ripping out its throat. I wanted to throw up but I was petrified. But something happened at that moment, once the black wolf was dead. In front of my very eyes, I watched the dead wolf start shrinking. Its fur began disappearing, along with its muzzle, ears, paws, and tail. Soon a dead man laid before me next to the grey wolf.