I hear the animal gaining on me, and I abruptly take a sharp turn at a large pine tree, hoping it will buy me some time to gain ground between us. It only helps for a second because I feel the hot breath from the animal on my neck again.
“Shit!” I shout as I come to a halting stop, narrowly missing running straight into a large rock formation. I spin to my right and then my left and let out a sob when I suddenly realize I have no way out.
I slowly turn and face the large animal that has stopped at the entrance of the large boulders. I’m not completely shocked to find the red wolf from the road staring back at me. I am, however, shocked at its size, it’s large head comes up to my chest, and its paws are larger than my own human feet.
It doesn’t make any move toward me, it stands there staring with his mouth foaming at the corners. I notice the animal’s coat is patchy and sparse in some areas. Its legs are thin, and I can see ribs sticking out at the sides.
Great, I’m going to be dinner.
I can’t help but feel bad for the animal. It’s probably starving. That, of course, does not mean I want to be its meal, but I’ve read about how wolves are being forced out of their territory due to humans expanding into their woods and lands.
When I thought about coming face to face with a wolf, this is not what I had in mind. I wasn’t supposed to be as afraid as I am right now. I wish I were looking into glowing golden eyes instead of the pitch-black ones I see now.
I quickly look around for another way out, even though I know there isn’t one. But as I scan the small boulder-filled space, I see a large broken tree branch. Moving as fast as I can, I dart for the piece of wood, and my fingers barely brush against the hard material before the wolf lets out a deep snarl, and I’m being flung against the rock wall.
The pain is immediate, it feels like I was hit by a freight train at full speed. My spine is the first to make impact, and the back of my skull quickly follows. The horrific sound my head makes when it connects with the rock echoes against the surrounding boulders and trees.
I know immediately this isn’t good. My vision is starting to blur, and I start to feel like I’m underwater. I already know I’m not going to be able to stay conscious for much longer. Reaching behind my head, I touch the tender spot on my scalp and brush against the open gash. With shaking hands, I pull my fingers back to look and see dark blood covering them. My stomach lurches at the sight, but I hold it together.
Groaning, I slowly roll from my side to my back. I can still see the wolf pacing beside me, his dark gaze never leaving my bloodied body for long. Keeping him in my peripheral vision, and thankful he isn’t attacking again—just yet, at least—I stare up at the sky. I can’t see any stars tonight, which is something I have enjoyed seeing since I’ve moved here. In San Francisco, the city lights always hid the stars. I blink away hot tears as they stream down my face. I don’t want to die here, but I can’t move. My head is fuzzy and disoriented I can’t get my legs or arms to cooperate.
As if this couldn’t have gotten any worse, I feel a large raindrop bounce against my forehead and a steady stream of rain begins to come down, and lightning shoots across the sky. I almost smile when I remember Addison said there was a storm headed in our direction. She always has to be right.
The wolf shakes out his coat as the rain quickly soaks through it. I hear him huff in irritation as if a wild animal like himself could be put out because of some rain.
I blink slowly, trying to get my eyes to focus, but the inky blackness at the sides of my vision continues to grow.
Using the last bit of fight I have left, I lift my head in desperation, trying to get myself to move. But a heavy paw appears on my chest, and the weight crushes me. I can’t get a full breath now, and I feel the pull of unconsciousness starting to win.
At least I won’t be awake as the wolf rips me to shreds.
I hear a low growl coming from behind the red wolf, and I glance over his shoulder in time to see a smaller light-silver wolf jump down into the small rocky area. The red wolf immediately takes a few steps back, removing its large paw from my chest.
The silver wolf positions its self over me and lowers its head, snapping it’s sharp teeth when the red wolf comes to close. The red wolf is about to lunge at us when another wolf, larger than the two already facing off, jumps in between them. The hair is raised on its back, and I only see a flash of teeth before this new wolf strikes at the red one.
It’s difficult to keep my eyes open, and everything seems to be happening in flashes of time, almost as if I’m watching a slide show. One minute I see the two wolves fighting each other, and a second later, they’re gone.
I feel a cold nose pressing on my cheek and neck, and I whimper in pain when a paw steps on my injured hand. Unlike the red wolf, I
