How long has it been since she started running? 10 minutes? 15? Nay, only 3 minutes had passed, and she already experienced half a dozen near brushes with death since spotting those wolves, with abrupt pivots around some thorny bushes or side-stepping trees in her way slowing down the nearest wolf, while the others maintained some distance away, as if toying with her, or herding her to their feasting spot.
‘Brother… Where are you?’ ‘Brother… Save me.’ ‘Morus… Don’t come… I hope you’re safe” Her vision started blurring from sweat and also the high intensity burden on her body. She sidestepped a tree, her foot skidding on a smooth rock. Balance gone, she fell forward. Instinct took over — she dove into a roll to keep moving, but momentum slammed her back into a tree trunk. The impact drove the air from her lungs in a painful gasp. She leaned against the tree, wheezing while catching her breath, her legs were heavy as lead now that adrenaline was wearing off, she could observe the wolves that started chasing her a few minutes ago at a much closer distance now, for better or worse.
These wolves were at least half her height and had sleek crimson fur that reflected light at every step, but what terrified the girl the most, was the look of intelligence behind those eyes, a sense of cunning announcing that they were no strangers in hunting two-legged creatures. As the wolves approached, the girl seemed to have submitted herself to her fate, her eyes were closed as her hands reached down to grab a fistful of dirt. The closest and most aggressive wolf was in pouncing range now and leapt for the girl’s throat as she muttered a prayer, “Save me! Brother!”
That morning was supposed to be a peaceful one. It was supposed to be a very normal hike, so where did it go wrong?
“Monica, you didn’t forget anything and locked the door, right?” A gruff voice called out from the window of the sedan parked in the driveway, as a man pulled the seatbelt across his chest and pushed it into the buckle. Stifling a cough from the compression on his chest.
“Yes, Rus. I thought we were coming back later to shower before setting off?” Monica glanced at the door with her flashlight on, tried the handle one more time, satisfied it was locked, she walked up to the car and got in. “Besides, we’ve already emptied and sold the house since we’re moving to another city, what are you worried about?”
“Doesn’t hurt to be safe… And that’s also our family home… Speaking of, how many times do I need to remind you to call me Brother? Not my name?” Morus reminisced as he took one last reminiscing look at their old home before sending Monica a stern glare.
Monica looked into her brother’s pale face before rolling her own eyes, “Ugh, you traditionalist.” She scanned her brother’s clothes, he was wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans. “You’re wearing jeans to a hike?”
To which he shrugged, “You have any better ideas? Between slacks and shorts?”
“We need to work on your fashion sense.” She exasperated as she buckled up.
“We’ll speak of that after tomorrow, once we reach our new apartment and furnish it properly, I’d rather spend my savings on that and your tuition. For today, we'll bid our farewells with our parents after the hike.” Morus started up his playlist and they went on their way.
“Yes brother.” Monica replied weakly as she stared absentmindedly at her phone. Since when did he change? Was it 10 years ago, when their parents were involved in an accident and passed away? Or was it after he graduated university and became a salesperson?
Focusing her mind back to the present, she looked at the starred email in her inbox,
‘Dear Monica,
We would like to extend…
As Valedictorian of…
Full Scholarship with a chance to…
Sincerely,
Dean of Faculty Of Medicine.’
After spending some time in her thoughts, she could feel the car reversing into a halt. It seems they have arrived at their destination. Getting out of the car, her brother handed over her hiking backpack — a blue backpack with silver rims and a keychain of her favourite anime character, while he wore his own — a black backpack with a keychain of a snake eating its tail. Neither backpacks were heavy, as they each contained the bare minimum supplies: their own 1 litre bottle, a few packs of twinkies and a bar of chocolate.
They looked around and spotted a few cars in the parking lot, “Seems like we’re not the only ones here to watch the sunrise. Let’s go before we miss the ‘eggyolk’.”
They spent a few minutes getting ready, and made their way towards the hiking trail, with Morus’ stifled coughs punctuating the silence.
“What were you thinking so hard about?” Morus piped up once they were at a good walking pace.
“Nothing… I’m just worried if this is the right move. We’re moving to another state, another city, you’re even quitting your job. We’re giving up everything we’ve ever known for a fresh start.” Monica bit her lip and hesitated, “What about your body? Would you be okay?”
“You’re worried over nothing. I have some connections there that will be collaborating on a business venture. This is… better… And all part of the plan, though you’re going to have to work some part-time jobs if you want more pocket money. I will have my hands full with the business, but your tuition and accommodation fees are already set aside.”
“And your condition?” Monica looks at her brother, half a head taller than her, face almost as pale as a ghost’s, who was also clearly avoiding her question.
“Could be better. It’s just the dust. They said I couldn’t live past twenty. 8 years later, here I am, and I will still be for another eighty years, hopefully.” Morus chuckled as he waved her concern away. “Oh look, a group of people.”
Monica looked over, noticing a few silhouettes in the not-so-distant darkness, unnoticeable if not for their phones lighting up their own faces. She saw four people, two guys and two girls, must have been two couples on a ‘double date’ acting all lovie-dovie to each other. Not long after, they walked past the group, nodding at them and being nodded at before she and her brother continued on their way in silence.
“Brother, do you think I’d be able to find a boyfriend and go on hikes like them once I enter university? And are double dates common in university?”
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Morus thought for a bit and asked, “Do you even like hiking? If you do, I won’t stop you as long as your ‘boyfriend’ is a decent person. Just let me know ahead of time, that’s all I ask.” He then shrugged, “I’m not sure about your second question, I’m usually the third-wheel in such situations, like that loner gal beside the couples.”
Was there a fifth person? Monica thought to herself, but it wasn’t so important that it warranted a conversation so she let it go. They were nearing the peak of the hiking trail, where the sunrise view was most magnificent, or so social media claims…
“ …-elp… Can someone hear…” A female voice echoed out from the woods beside them.
Morus held out his arm in front of his sister, “Wait. Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” She stood still, focusing her attention on her ears so she could hear what her brother heard.
“Help… Can someone help me… My leg…” There was a sense of urgency in the voice.
“Someone’s asking for help. A girl. You don’t hear it?” Morus looked at Monica and what replied to him was her face of confusion.
Monica then shook her head and nudged her brother with her elbow, “Well, what are you waiting for? It could be your lucky day and I’d have a sis-in-law!”
Reluctantly, Morus sighed, “Alright, better safe than sorry. I’m just going to check it out real quick. Are you heading up or staying here? It shouldn’t be more than 10 minutes away from here.”
Monica put a finger to her lips and said, “I think I’ll wait for you at the peak. Don’t take too long, okay?”
Morus fished out his phone from his pocket, turning on the flashlight, the trail was visible with what limited light they already had, but with the flashlight on, they could clearly see the packed dirt path covered with leaves below their feet, as Morus walked towards where he heard the voice, so did the beam of light at his feet, illuminating the leaves, fallen twigs, mossy stones and the sprawling root system of the rainforest that threatened to grab and trip him if he were not careful.
After watching her brother disappear into the darkness, Monica continued on the trail, but after some walking, she got confused, “Wait… the steps towards the peak should have appeared by now. Did I miss it? That’s impossible, the trail is ultimately a loop but there is only one path, and the peak is almost at the ‘middle’ point.”
As she was catching her bearings, a fog slowly rolled in. “Fog? Might as well take a small break here before moving on…” And put down her backpack on her feet, picking up one of the bottled water inside it, she took a sip. After taking out a pack of twinkies, she zipped up her backpack, putting it on her back and continued on. Twinkies in mouth, a bottle of water in hand, she mumbled, “Onwards!” while holding the water bottle in front of her like a commander ordering a charge.
“Achoo!” It was just a fog, so why does it feel so cold? Monica thought and looked around, there was still fog, she was still on a path, but it felt like the trees were forming a tunnel over the path, and there seems to be a ‘clearing’ ahead, where the trees no longer blocked the sky as much.
She looked up at the tree canopy, trying to gauge how long till sunrise from what rays of light penetrate through them. “It’s always darkest before dawn…”, she chuckled, then realized her breath was misting. “That’s cool. I didn’t know it was cold enough to mist around these parts.” While experimenting with her breath and sparing some thought to her brother and the maiden in distress, she walked into the clearing. What she saw would be unforgettable.
The wind brushed towards her face, brushing back the hair strands dangling in front of her face, pushing the fog that had surrounded her into the tree-tunnel behind her. The sun wasn’t visible across the horizon yet, but her surroundings were, flowers bloomed towards the edges of the clearing, before being consumed by the shadows of the forest canopy. Several large boulders sat in the center, and would be the perfect spot to sunbathe, should the sun be hanging from the sky.
Everything was so beautiful, if one could ignore the multiple crimson eyes staring at her from above and around the boulders. Several canines laid down on the vantage point of their boulder-home, while a few smaller ones were chasing each other in a playful manner.
Realizing that she had intruded on a dangerous place, Monica slowly backed away. With the other pack of Twinkies and her water bottle clutched in one hand, she carefully took off her backpack and held it in front of her like a makeshift shield.
The canine lying on the boulder barked once, the young pups looked up towards it in confusion, though its message was well received by its intended recipients. Three beasts strolled quickly but cautiously towards the intruder, upon closer inspection, Monica’s heart dropped.
“Oh shit… wolves…” The shock went from her toes and up her spine, then into her hands, she almost dropped her bottle, but she did drop her food. The rustle of plastic hitting the ground caused the wolves to tense up and brace. She took that instant to immediately gauge the beasts and figure out an exit plan.
Monica’s mind cooled as her thought processes sped up, her heart pumping blood stronger than ever in anticipation of what’s to come, her hands chilled as all the blood rushed to her head and legs. She slowly placed her backpack on the ground, backing away the way she came, careful not to trip and maintaining distance from the wolves. Her instincts were screaming at her to run, but her intuition told her that running right now was a bad idea.
The three wolves kept their eyes on her, and she too kept her eyes on them. After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at where her backpack was, Monica managed to distance herself even further away. One of the wolves started playing with the fallen Twinkies with its paws, the other two started sniffing at the backpack, even gnawing at the straps to check if they were edible, their attention entirely on the foreign objects in front of them. She took this chance to slowly move into the forest, breaking line of sight, then started running as fast as she could towards where her brother should be.
Then a loud POP as the Twinkies’ plastic packaging exploded, a wolf’s paw covered in the sugary remains of the spongecake. The two other wolves jumped back in shock and growled at their companion, while the rest of the pack were immediately on alert.
The closest wolf looked down towards the tree-tunnel, attempting to find the girl but she was nowhere to be seen. It snarled towards where the girl had disappeared to, and began sniffing her footprint. Once it had what it needed, it pointed its snout towards the sky and let out a howl, signalling the beginning of a hunt. Before the last note of the howl finished, the three wolves had already disappeared into the forest. The Αlpha resting on the largest boulder growled, and jumped off its boulder, two older wolves immediately appeared by its side, knowing their roles, they sprinted into the fray, the Αlpha’s crimson gaze pierced through the forest shadows, watching its idiotic spawn chase after the girl.
By this point, Monica managed to run some distance away, she tried to find the path but it was nowhere to be seen, as she was just about to slow down and catch her breath, she heard the howling, which made her pick up the pace. She cursed under her breath, “Shit, shit, shit. I need to get him, I need to get Morus fast.” She continued running, her eyes focused forward while her ears focused behind her, at first there was nothing but the wind howling into her head, then she heard footfalls directly behind her and also slightly towards the side?
The snarls and growls grew ever closer and she could smell her doom. It was only a matter of time before they caught up and she hoped that whoever was watching if anybody, be it her brother, her dead ancestors or even a God would save her at this point. She could hear the wolves gnashing their teeth into the air behind her, suddenly, she heard the sound of flesh colliding into flesh, a whimper and a growl. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted four wolves, two wolves at the back must have ‘bumped’ into each other, as the larger one was growling aggressively while the smaller wolf was whimpering.
‘They’re fighting each other?’ Monica spared a thought as she continued to run, but her pace was slowing. Her chest was starting to feel stuffy, she was an athlete, but never had she sprinted at her fastest speed for so long. The wolf behind her had been trying to bite her, but whether it was luck or by intention, it never managed to as she kept escaping death by narrow gaps.
But luck was bound to run out…
A shadow, larger and sleeker than the rest of her pursuers, materialized from the brush directly in her path. A grizzled muzzle, split by a pale scar. Pure instinct made Monica veer away, her muscles coiling to leap.
But the scarred wolf ignored her. In a motion of brutal, efficient grace, it turned and slammed its shoulder into the chest of the nearest pursuer—the wolf with a sparkling paw. The impact was a sound of cracking branches and a sharp yelp.
‘It’s helping me?’ The thought was a wild spark of hope.
Then her blood froze. As it turned back, its crimson gaze flicked to her. And she realized.
The wolf that had just intercepted her pursuer…
…stood level with her chest.