Call me Luna

2 - Wolves

Blindly I run as fast as I can. My breath is making white clouds in front of me from the cold. I have no idea where I am running to. All I know is, I am putting as much distance as I possibly can between me and that shed. In the distance, I hear wolves howling, but it seems miles away so, I keep on going. I dodge trees and fall numerous times, but I get up and push on. I ignore the pain that is radiating through my body. My feet hurt the worst as I ran over rocks, sand, sticks, and whatever is laying around. My weak legs are protesting against the strenuous activity I am putting them through.

My chest is burning, and my legs are cramping, still, I keep on going. When my body finally demands that I slow down, I continue walking, refusing to rest. I have absolutely no idea how much distance there is between me and that awful shed. I pray it is enough.

Once again, I trip and fall. Exhausted beyond measure, I lay down in the dirt. I close my eyes and for a moment I allow myself just to lay there and catch my breath. To inhale the fresh scent of wet ground and crushed vegetation. When I feel that I have rested enough, I push myself up. My knees buckle and I stumble a few steps before I regain my composure. I need to find a safe place to rest, my body is insisting on it. I do not know how long I will be able to continue like this.

The howling of the wolves sounds closer than before and wildly I look around. The shears will be no protection against a wolf or a bear. As weak as I feel right now, I will not be able to defend myself against a rat.

Slowly I start walking again, looking at the trees in hopes that I could find one that could do shelter for the night. One that I can climb so that I am out of sight. A low growl in front of me makes me stop right in my tracks. I fish the shears out of my pocket and hold them threateningly in front of me. Well, I at least hope it is threatening, but by the way my body’s trembling I seriously doubt that I look like I can defend myself.

Consumed with fear I peek into the darkness, searching for any movement. A pair of glowing eyes are looking at me from the dark and foot by foot I retract. Without breaking eye contact, I back up slowly.

Should I even make eye contact? Wouldn’t I agitate it more? Or is that only applicable to dogs?

A sound to my left grabs my attention and I jerk my head that way, swinging the shears in the same direction. Facing another pair of eyes on me.

Oh, sh*t! Now I remember, wolves travel in packs. Frantically I look to my left and right and more and more wolves are moving towards me. I keep on moving backward until I back up into a tree.

This is it. This is how I will meet my Maker. Alone in the woods, devoured by a pack of wolves. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I am not going to fight them. It is futile anyway. It will be over quicker if I do not resist. Besides, I think this way will be more merciful than the fate that was waiting for me in the shed.

I exhale slowly, now at terms with my fate. This is not exactly the way I saw myself go out, but in life, you do not get a choice really. I drop the shears and open my eyes, ready to face my demise.

My breath hitches as I look into the ice-blue eyes of the biggest wolf I have seen in my entire life. Sure, it is the only wolf I have seen in my life, but it seems bigger than normal. The wolf steps forward and my body relaxes by itself. There is something about it. Yes, it is huge and dangerous, but looking into its eyes is comforting. Almost mesmerizing. I should be scared out of my wits. Instead, I am calm and relaxed. No more panic and no more fear.

With a mind of its own, my hand moves forward, and the wolf comes closer licking my palm.

“That’s ticklish,” I giggle and step closer.

“You’re so beautiful,” I whisper as I stroke its soft, thick, sandy-colored fur.

The wolf sits down on its hind and its tail starts wagging happily. My hand glides over its head, behind the ears, and down to its belly. The more I stroke, the happier the wolf becomes.

“You like that, don’t you?” I smile as I go sit next to the wolf. I put my arm around it and rest my head against its chest. Completely at ease, I close my eyes and lean against the wolf. I am so, so tired and this magnificent animal is so comforting and soft. And safe. I do not have enough words to emphasize how safe I feel right now. My ordeal in the shed is just a distant memory. The wolf puts its paw around me and pulls me even closer to its chest and I sigh as I feel myself relax even more.

The wolf lays down and pulls me down with it, and I am more than happy to oblige. This is the safest I have felt since I woke up earlier. Completely wrapped in the wolf’s fur, I close my eyes and allow the fatigue to take over.

The Hunters

It is with great anticipation that Rowan is standing on his porch, watching the vehicles’ lights come closer. Finally, the day has come when he can prove his worth to The Boss. No longer will he be the last in line for a promotion. The Boss will have to notice him now.

Rowan lights up a cigarette and sits down on a bench as the cars come closer and into view. He is so excited; he could run to the car and drag The Boss out to show him his catch. But he wants to look calm and collected like it is just another day in his life. Like it is normal for him to drug and kidn*p a person.

The cars park and doors start opening. Rowan flicks the cigarette butt away from him and strides over to greet his guests.

“Welcome, Boss,” Rowan steps forward. With great admiration and anticipation, he stares at the bold man with his black eyes, stretching his arm forward for a handshake.

Over his nose, The Boss looks at Rowan’s extended hand but ignores it completely.

“Where is she?” The Boss looks bored as Rowan awkwardly puts his hands in his back pockets.

“Right here, sir,” Rowan turns around and leads the group around the back to the shed. It still stings that The Boss dismissed him like that. But it is okay, he comforts himself. As soon as he shows them who he has, he will be walking with the top ranks. This female has been evading The Boss for years now and he is the one that finally caught her. This accomplishment will not go by unrewarded; he just knows it.

As they walk, Rowan rummages through his pockets for the shed’s keys, and with fingers clumsy of excitement, he unlocks the shed. He steps inside and turns on the switch, illuminating the shed.

“What the f*ck?” Rowan mumbles as he rushes inside, looking around frantically as panic builds. “Where is she?”

“I would like to know as well,” The Boss sneers behind him.

“She was here,” Rowan pants as he anxiously starts looking under benches and behind crates and tools that are laying around.

“This is a waste of my time,” The Boss sounds bored as he signals his entourage to go back to the cars.

“Wait!” Rowan shouts as he finds the ropes and ties. With utter shock, he sees the saw and the hole in the wall. “See, she was here. This is her blood, I swear. She must’ve escaped.”

“Look,” The Boss turns to Rowan, very displeased with the situation. “The only proof you have is that you might’ve had a captive or that you staged it. There’s no way you can prove that it was her.”

“Here’s blood,” Rowan picks up the saw and anxiously shows it to The Boss. “This is her blood; with DNA I can prove it.”

“Yes, because I have time for that,” The Boss snorts sarcastically and walks away.

“What if I’m right?” Rowan shouts after him, desperate that The Boss will believe him. “She was here two hours ago. I’ve drugged her, there’s no way that she could get far. We can still catch up with her. Do you really want to take the chance of being so close and let her go?”

The silence that settles among the men, is enough to strangle every living creature. The Boss’ cold, black stare glares into Rowan’s soul and he starts squirming. Maybe he went too far. The Boss is not known for his compassion, and he hates it when people question him or his authority.

“I’m sorry, Boss. I meant no disrespect. I meant to suggest that I can go look for her and bring her back, she has to be close.” Rowan tries to salvage the situation.

A smile slowly spreads over The Boss’ face and Rowan relaxes. There is still hope to redeem himself. But that thought evaporates quickly as The Boss pulls out a gun and aims.

“No … please, I swear it was her,” Rowan pleads as he holds his hands up defensively. He wants to shout that he still has her purse with identification, but The Boss just looks at him as he pulls the trigger and Rowan drops dead in his shoes.

“Bury him,” The Boss orders his men as he puts his gun away. “And get the bloodhounds. We’re starting the search at sunrise.”

“Do you think it was really her?” Felix asks skeptically.

“He believed so,” The Boss nudges towards Rowan’s body. “And I can’t afford to miss a possible lead or opportunity because of arrogance. She’s the only female of her kind and I want her.”