What's out there...

                    A growl erupts echoing throughout my mind…

I’m startled at the intensity of my inner wolf, her voice ringing like an alarm bell… she’s never sounded this clear before. Was that her in my dream?

A blood curdling howl erupts within the forest like a siren, bouncing off the wooden giants until it reaches the camp. Ash sit’s bolt upright, struggling to conceal his panic as his head swings from side to side, his eyes wide with shock, darting in every direction trying to locate the distress signal.

As terror creeps up my spine sending cold flashes throughout me I feel the fine hairs on the back of my neck rising, a growing sense of déjà vu is present as the recent ambush remains fresh in my mind, remembering all the bloodshed.

“What the hell-“ Lillie stutters as she sits up clinging onto Fara tightly, her voice numb with fear. As we look at her in disbelief unsure of what to say another bellowing howl filled with panic is heard again from within the forest but much closer…is that Ronnie?

I stand up quickly in a complete state of panic making myself light headed as I almost stumble over, my legs turn to water making me catch myself with my hands on the tree behind, scratching my palms as I reach out to steady myself. The camp now in a buzz of hysteria begins rummaging around hastily packing up their belongings with some already in their wolf form ready for what is coming our way, preparing for the worst.

Within a few moments the patrolling wolves return crashing into the camp; terror stricken and panting hard as they slide coming to an abrupt halt in front of everyone, all eyes shifting and focusing on them waiting for an explanation to their deathly warning calls. Finn walks up to them still dazed from his interrupted sleep as he croakily demands “Guys, what the hell was that about?!” looking at Ronnie and Hooper as they struggle to conceal their distress. 

Ronnie’s eyes look up at Finn, ingulfed in fear and within seconds its clear they’ve mind linked as Finn flinches uncomfortably, the colour draining from his face as he turns to face us - mute with horror. He clears his throat and eventually manages to stutter “E-everyone we got to go-"  pausing to gulp “S-somethings out there!” his once tired voice now edged with fear.

“What do you mean somethings out there?” Rose asks standing behind us, her face stern with her hands placed on her hips, unimpressed with the lack of communication. A gust of whispers breaks out amongst the camp all hoping for an answer. Finn stands there speechless not knowing how to respond, his hands clenched shaking slightly. 

“Like a rogue pack?” someone I can’t see questions, their voice trembling as more whispers and whines follow. Ronnie lets out a snarl baring his teeth, turning the crowds whispers into whimpers making it clear we need to leave… what the hell were they so scared of?!

“Their…their not sure” Finn admits fidgeting, his head bowed down and eyes unable to meet the crowds desperate stares as their eyes beg for answers of what’s lurking within the forest with us. Finn attempts to gather himself “Th-there’s no time for that anyway” Finn looks up shakily darting a glare to the gaping, restless crowd “We need to go NOW!” he conjures up enough bravery to order.

As his tone rises everyone quickly scrambles around collecting themselves, preparing for our sudden departure.

               Her growl intensifies..

Wait… can you sense something, girl? I cry at her but she doesn’t answer my plea.

I quickly grab my crumpled coat and slide my arms into the cold material, my heart beating rapidly as the sudden feeling of watching eyes becomes apparent as the sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves is heard in the near distance. My stomach clenches as I spin around frantically, looking into the dark forest around me. The commotion enclosing around us alerts the camp of its sinister presence as the temperature begins to drop, everyone keeping their eyes focused on our surroundings, now eager to leave on Ronnie’s command.

Faint voices are heard ushering some of the kids beginning to whimper, not understanding what’s going on. The flow of adrenaline coursing through my veins takes over, keeping me alert and putting me in a state of flow. I turn to Lillie who’s already shifted into her wolf form, her clothes torn to shreds around her. 

She lowers her back allowing a shaking Fara to climb on, her little arms clasping onto Lillie’s neck as she buries her head into her fur in an attempt to muffle her uncontrollable whimpers.

Lillie nods to Ash who is now standing beside me, his frame upright and stiff with his head slightly raised, his tail rigid with his hair along the neck and back bristled, ears pointed forward listening to the threat approaching. I can hear a low menacing growl rising from his throat…

He quickly nudges my hand with his cold nose keeping his eyes focussed on the sounds creeping closer in the darkness, urging me to hurry up. I snatch my bag from the ground and fling it over my shoulder in a rush and turn back to Ash who’s already lowered his own back allowing me to climb on. These are the times I’m grateful for being underweight.

As I steady myself I wrap my arms around his neck ready for him to take off, he gracefully raises himself up and we join the restless crowd with Lillie and Fara remaining at our side.

“Stay close” I remind her, she looks at me and nods.

Ronnie looks around ensuring we are all ready to flee, his eyes quickly grazing over everyone ready to give us the signal. Hooper stands beside him shifting uneasy with Finn now transformed joining them at the front – Ronnie howls softly at the crowd telling us its time to leave. He turns and sprints off, a flash of fur in his place and the sound of his paws thudding against the floor with each stride he takes, the rest of us now following behind in pursuit desperate to leave the forest and what was in it.

As we take off I feel my body drag backwards at the force of Ash’s speed, breathless as the chilling air crashes against me as we run effortlessly gliding between the obstructing trees, jumping over fallen logs and ledges while remaining at each other’s side like a wave travelling through the forest. Everyone’s focus kept ahead, escaping what felt like a hunt as the rustling continues to follow behind us, chasing after us into the night growing louder.

The camp pushes on through the forest for what felt like an eternity; now aware of the clearing coming up ahead as the glow of the city lights breaks through the opening of the forestry. My head aches from the crashing cold air, my ears froze as the temperature continues to drop more than usual, the whole atmosphere of the night was now menacing and empty. As we get closer to safety the threat remains close as the sounds grow louder behind us as if their beginning to close in. As we run I can’t help but look into the forest trying to catch a glimpse of what is stalking us, my eyes begin to water as the bitter air hits them looking for the whatever Ronnie and Hooper saw…

                    She begins to snarl viciously

As the sound of her disgust bounces within the walls of my head my eyes latch onto dark figures within the distance catching up behind us, a growing whistle accompanying it as it closes in catching the attention of some of the other wolves. I hold onto Ash's fur harder realising the threat is now with us… but what is it?

Its shadow lanky and crooked. Much too tall for a human and that’s definitely no wolf….my heart twisted with fright as my head spun through all the possibilities. It couldn’t be…could it?

As the camp continues to frantically run on following the lead of Ronnie were all broken from our focus as a pitiful yelp is heard behind us. Without looking back Ash continues to run on, I look down and catch a glimpse of Lillie’s orange fur as my eyes cross over her, a petrified Fara holding onto her sister with all her might. She keeps her head buried and her eyes closed, just like Lillie has taught her. A small pang of guilt fills my stomach as I realise I’m relieved that cry was not them.

I turn my head and face behind us, watching a blur of fur tumble to the ground with a dark shadow attacking. I pull on Ash’s fur crying out “Ash!” urging him to stop but he ignores me, him and Lillie exchange a quick glance as I look down as if agreeing not yet.

Within a swift movement I see another mystery attacker appear, now joining its comrade in the takedown of one of our own, their movement fluid and precise, within seconds the bundle of fur stops moving and the twisted figures get up and continue in the pursuit for the rest of us. More appear alongside them as they chase behind, gaining speed as they approach us from the darkness of the forest.

More cries of pain and anguish fill the night causing my body to tremble as the unbearable fear builds; I feel the tears streaming down my burning face, my lip quivering as I let out sharp sobs for those already lost.

                         She growls, barking rabidly

My eyes frantically search for the danger my wolf is warning me of; beginning to trust her instinct, I lock onto one of the shadows as it creeps closer to us, aiming in Lillie’s direction “Lillie to your right!” I scream, her head turning as it jumps in the air pouncing on her and tackling her to the ground, throwing Fara off into the distance letting out a helpless cry.

Ash plants his paws firmly into the dirt beneath him, scuffing the ground as he slides and scrambles to turn to help her, almost losing his footing and sending us to the ground. His body comes to a halt as I quickly jump off and make my way to Fara, petrified at the sight of her sister being attacked by the monster that’s holding her down, its jagged teeth snapping savagely as it tries to get closer to Lillie’s neck despite her attempts to fight back. Her whimpers are loud and painful as it catches a piece of her flesh within its mouth.

As I reach Fara I trip over a tree root, scraping my hands and knees as I make impact on the rough ground, slightly winded. I shake the pain off and keep my eyes on Fara who’s looking at me with her arms outstretched crying “Willow!”

As I get closer she crawls to me, her small body shaking uncontrollably as I pick her up and wrap her in my arms, she clings onto me desperately. Her breathing frantic as she sobs.

“Head down, eyes closed sweety!” I whisper, she quickly does what I tell her.  

I look at Ash and Lillie who now have the advantage, Lillie has the disgusting creature pinned down while Ash rips it apart, tearing at any part of the monster he can latch onto. It lets out a bone chilling hiss, flashing its razor like teeth lashing its head forward at Ash but fails. Its piercing black eyes locked on, its skin pale and transparent, dark purple veins pulsating underneath…

The creature manages to release one of its claws from Lillie’s grip lashing out catching Ash’s arm with its sharp, dirty nails leaving five big gashes. I hear Ash let out a growl but he continues to tear into it. The monster lashes out at them both frantically giving Lillie a chance to catch its hand once more as it attempts to grip her, in one quick lurch Ash catches the creatures throat ripping it wide open, spilling it’s sticky black blood on the floor around it.

Without hesitation their focus turns to us as they rush to our side, checking that were both okay. Their eyes darting around us bracing for another encounter as our camp begins to become outnumbered by the unknown forces continuing to surround us. I put Fara down beside Lillie, she nudges her with her nose, whining as Fara embrace's her with a fierce hug relieved to be reunited with her protector. Without a second thought Fara quickly jumps up and climbs onto her sisters back, burying her head back into Lillie's fur and holding onto her tight. 

We back into the trees behind us, the branches entwined forming a barricade, sheltering our backs from potential attackers. We look at the slaughter unfolding before us, uncertain of what to do…