Silver Desires

Mount Mcwolfe

Gwen was waiting for her at the cottage, along with her guide. She looked different, her hair was no longer the blonde color Jillian had seen, instead she had shoulder length brown hair. She was also dressed in hiking gear.

"Hello," Gwen greeted her.

"Hi," Jillian replied, "what are you doing here? I thought I was going to have a local guide."

Gwen shook her head. "I know" she replied. "I brought the best guide I know to make sure nothing happens to you."

Jillian frowned, Gwen had offered to find a guide for her so she could take pictures and she had agreed.

"I think you'll be pleased with my guide," she added. "His name is Huck, he grew up in Diorros and knows the area better than anyone."

Huck walked over and stood next to her. He was shorter than Jillian, and his body was thin. He wore faded jeans, an old T-shirt, and boots.

"Are you sure about this?" Jillian asked.

Gwen smiled. "He's one of the best," she replied. "Just give him a chance."

Jillian sighed. "Okay," she said.

"Great," Gwen replied. "We have a few hours before sunset. Why don't you grab lunch and get your stuff?"

Jillian nodded and went into the cottage.

Huck stood and waited while Jillian retrieved her camera equipment. He wasn't thrilled about working with her, but he had no choice in the matter.

"Here's your lunch," Gwen said, handing him a paper bag. "There's sandwiches in there. They're a bit cold, but should still be good."

Huck nodded, taking the bag from her.

"Thank you," she said. "I'm going to go into town. You take care out there."

Huck nodded again, watching as she left. He knew her well, he'd watched her for years. He liked her and didn't want anything to happen to her.

"Why are you so quiet?" Jillian asked.

Huck sighed. "I’m a man of few words," he said. Jillian looked at the man. "Have you ever done a photo shoot?" She asked.

"No," Huck replied, then he continued on. Jillian sighed and followed him, realizing that he had a destination in mind. She couldn't help but to stare at his body.

He was thin, with no excess flesh on him, which made his tight jeans stick to him in all the right places. His legs were long, and he walked quickly, so she had to jog to keep up with him.

Jillian nodded, continuing to follow him. Huck glanced at her. "What is it?" He asked.

Jillian looked at him. "What's what?" She asked. "The problem," he said, stopping.

She stopped as well. "You're my guide," she replied. "I'd like to know a bit more about you."

He shrugged. "What do you want to know?" He asked.

Jillian thought for a moment, not knowing what she wanted to know. "Tell me about yourself," she said.

He frowned. "Why?" He asked.

"I want to know who my guide is," she replied. "We'll be in the woods for at least a day or more depending on how this goes, so we should get to know one another."

"You want to know who I am?" He asked.

"Yes," Jillian said. "That's why I hired you."

"To take pictures?" He asked.

Jillian frowned. "No," she said. "To show me the forest."

Huck nodded. "There's not much to tell," he said. "I grew up here and moved away. I returned when I had a place to live. That's all there is."

"What about your family?" Jillian asked.

Huck shrugged. "I don't remember much about them," he replied. "It's been a long time."

"Why did you leave?" She asked. "I needed a different life," he replied.

"A different life? You mean you like being alone?" Jillian asked.

Huck shrugged. "I didn't say that," he replied. "I like my life now." "Then what did you mean?" She asked.

"I can't say," he replied. "Is it a secret?" She asked.

"Sort of," he said.

"You can trust me," she said.

"It's not that," he replied. "I can't tell you."

"Okay," Jillian replied. "When you want to tell me, let me know."

He nodded. "I can do that," he said.

"Are you sure that's all?" Jillian asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"Is this a good spot?" Jillian asked, pointing to a spot in front of her.

"We need to get higher," Huck replied. "It'll be easier for you to get pictures from up there, It'll be a bit of a hike but we're almost there."

Huck led her through the forest, finding the right trail to take them where they needed to go.

Jillian smiled as she followed him. She enjoyed being with him, his personality was quiet, but he seemed to know where he was going. She thought it was nice, he was actually pleasant company.

When they reached the top of the mountain, Jillian sighed. "This is nice," she said, looking around.

Huck nodded. "There's a spot that will make the perfect place for your pictures," he said.

Jillian watched as he started to climb higher. She followed him, wondering where he was taking her. He continued to climb, then disappeared over the edge.

She reached the top to see him waiting for her. She took out her camera and started to take pictures, moving in close to get a good look at the bird's nest she saw in the tree. She took more pictures before she looked at Huck.

"That's good," he said. "You're getting great shots."

Jillian nodded. "Thank you," she replied. "I'll check the pictures when we get back."

Lost in their photographic pursuits, Jillian and Huck were taken aback when darkness enveloped them like a velvet curtain. The sudden absence of light caught them off guard, their gazes meeting in wide-eyed surprise.

The fading glow of the sun had deceived them, leaving them unprepared for the night that had descended so swiftly.

Jillian’s camera dangled from her neck, its weight a comforting reminder of reality amidst the encroaching darkness. She glanced around, trying to make out the path they had taken, but the familiar landmarks had vanished, concealed in the shroud of night.

Huck’s voice cut through the silence. “We got carried away, didn’t we?” There was a hint of amusement laced with a touch of uncertainty in his tone.

Jillian nodded, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. “Seems like we got lost in the magic of the moment. I didn’t realize time was slipping away so quickly.”

The sound of rustling leaves echoed nearby, making them both jump. Jillian clutched her camera instinctively, her senses on high alert. The forest seemed to come alive with mysterious whispers, adding an air of intrigue to the already surreal situation.

Huck stepped closer to Jillian, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the uncertainty. “We should find our way back,” he suggested, his voice steady despite the slight edge of uncertainty.

"Where's the campsite?" She asked. "About ten miles down the trail," he said. "It's not far from here, come on we'll need to hurry."

He started down the mountain and Jillian followed him. A bright moon and starry sky were in full view Jillian could hear wolves howling and Huck seemed to pale whenever he heard it as well.

Jillian frowned. "Do you hear those wolves?" She asked.

"They're wild," he replied. "Are they dangerous?" She asked.

"Not usually," he replied.

"What about now?" She asked.

"It depends," he replied.

"Depends on what?" She asked.

"The moon and stars," he replied. "If the moon is out, they'll come out."

"The moon is out, but it's just dusk" Jillian replied.

"We can get down before it comes out completely," he replied. "Let's hurry."

They ran through the woods, the wolves following them, Jillian could hear them howling as they ran.

Huck pushed her ahead of him, urging her to move faster. "Keep moving," he said.

She continued to run, stopping when she reached a log. She went to step over it, but stumbled and fell to the ground.

Huck stopped next to her, helping her up. "Can you run?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Then run," he said.

She pushed off the log and continued to run, Huck behind her. She could hear wolves howling and she wondered what would happen if they caught up to them. They continued to run, Huck pushing her in the right direction, urging her to run faster.

Huck turned to see that they were being followed. He knew they wouldn't make it. He stopped and turned to face them, his eyes glowing. He dropped his clothes to the ground, turning into a wolf, before he charged the wolves.

The wolves ran in the other direction, avoiding him.

Jillian stopped running. She watched as he turned into a wolf, then turned to look at the wolves. She moved back, hiding behind a tree. She didn't understand what had happened, but she was sure it had to be magic.

Huck attacked the wolves, trying to drive them away, but there were too many of them.

Jillian watched from behind the tree, trying to decide what to do. She watched as he turned and started to run again, leading them away from her.

She made her decision, she couldn't leave him out there alone. She picked up his clothes and ran after them.

Huck could hear her behind him as he led the wolves away. He was surprised that she had followed him. He knew she could get to safety, but he wanted her to be safe.

Huck knew that these were only the familiars of the pack that lived in the forest, he didn't know what Jillian had done to catch their eye but he did know what happened to the humans that crossed their path.