Full Moon Rises

I was running as fast as I possibly could. My eyes were wet, and I didn’t know if it was because of my tears or the freezing night air. My shoulder-length black hair blew in the wind; some of it got into my mouth and my eyes. I cursed myself. Why didn’t I leave the house without tying it like I usually did?!  I kept on running... I was running to where? I didn’t know.  I was running from what? I didn’t know. I didn’t take time to get a proper look to know what it actually was. All I knew was that the creature behind me was chasing me fast. It was f*****g huge, with fur covering its body and claws that could tear my throat out in one move.  There was no real reason why I was out in the woods in the first place. I just fancied a jog and didn’t exactly realize when the sun went down. It sounds like something too obvious not to notice, but I was so lost in my own head. I heard a snapping of a twig or branch behind me and quickly spun around.  I couldn’t see anything and decided my best course of action was to quicken my pace back towards my house. Everything went well for a few more minutes until I heard the same sound again, louder this time. I froze, my entire body going stiff in fear. I had never been afraid of the dark, but I was terrified out of my f*****g mind right then and there. I held my breath, trying to be as motionless as possible, and sidestepped around a tree, listening. Somewhere very close to me, there was a low growl.  And on one dreadful moment, I realized I was being hunted.  The sound was getting closer this time. Somewhere on my left, a piece of wood snapped. I spun towards the sound and caught a glimpse of enormous glowing yellow eyes glaring at me. It didn’t take me long to get with the plan before I hurled my body in the opposite direction, running as fast as my legs would carry me, but my energy was running out after a full jogging. I was weak, and my breath came out in quick sharp gasps. That only seemed to please the creature even more. It was happily chasing its prey. That’s what I was; I was the prey. “s**t!” I swore. I was feeling the burn through my legs as I worked them harder than ever before. Thanking God for my impressive agility as I effortlessly bound over fallen branches and other obstacles that could possibly trip me. The creature’s footsteps were getting closer, seemingly bored of letting his prey get the better of him.  I worked my arms harder, desperately trying to push myself further out of danger. It was useless. Before I could even identify the sounds of the creature getting closer to me, it was on top of me, dragging me to the floor. I winced as my head hit something hard, probably a rock. I then yelled out in pain once the adrenaline faded, and I could feel my head throbbing as blood seeped into the ground below.  ...The creature stared at me, and I could see his sharp fangs. I closed my eyes and hoped it would let me die quick and painless. That proved to be useless when I felt the beast’s teeth clamp around my abdomen. I screamed. I screamed with the bit of energy left in me. It wasn’t a pretty sound, and it sure as hell wasn’t one I’d ever thought I’d make. This was it; I was going to die. I was going to die, and I really thought I’d care more than this. In a few short moments, my life would end, and I couldn’t bring myself to be afraid of that.  I was afraid of the creature and nothing more. Maybe I didn’t value my life after all. It wasn’t like I had much of a life back home anyway; I wondered if anyone would even notice I was missing. Would anyone ever find my body? I could disappear from the face of the Earth, and nobody would give a damn. That’s why I didn’t fight against the creature’s death grip. I just lay there, feeling my blood soak through my clothes now and finally opening my eyes. I wanted to see the beast that would kill me. When I opened my eyes, it was a confusing sight. A wolf was biting down on me, though this wolf was something I had never seen before. It was easily twice the size of a bear, and its eyes were deep yellow orbs and almost seemed as if they were glowing. There was something almost human in those eyes when they locked with my hazel ones. I gasped at the humanity I saw in those eyes before crying out as another wave of pain coursed through my body. I really thought my death would be much quicker than this. Wasn’t there any mercy left for me? Wasn’t my life already enough of a living hell? And now I had to die in pain too...  I could feel the beginning of tears at the corner of my eyes. I will them away, but as if a dam had been broken, a sob wracked my body, and the tears flowed freely. It could have been hours, or it could have been mere seconds, but all of a sudden, the wolf let go of me. He was taking a few steps back before surveying his prize, almost as if he was laughing at me. Couldn’t I just die already? The wolf moved in closer before its ears perked up, and his head snapped upwards... and it ran in the direction it came. I strained my ears, trying to hear anything, but all I could hear was my racing heartbeat. That was… until voices started to break the silence. I turned my head slightly, wincing at the dizziness that overcame me from the minor movement, and saw two young men entering the clearing. They caught sight of me, bleeding and broken on the ground, and quickly rushed to my side. One of them was barking orders at the other one, but I couldn’t really make it out. My eyes blurred as I tried to focus on the one holding my face. I smiled drowsily, not even the slightest bit embarrassed of the ugly tears track and the bloody mess. I noticed the man had dimples. That was the last thing I saw before my world faded to darkness… before Jia Evander thought she died.