wolves that came before

"This is your last day on earth."The words hit me like a punch to the gut: My heart raced as I scrambled to hide behind a bush, fear gripping me tight. I'd just finished my shift at the bookstore, and now, in the dead of night, everything felt wrong. The darkness swallowed me whole, making it hard to see anything. Every rustle of leaves sounded like a scream, and I was too scared to even think about snakes. My main concern was staying quiet, not drawing any attention to myself. I heard voices coming from the alley nearby, low and dangerous. My stomach twisted with dread as I peeked around the bush. What I saw made my blood run cold - a group of shadowy figures surrounding a lone man. My dad. I wanted to scream, to rush in and help, but someone grabbed me from behind, his hand tight around my stomach. Another hand covered my mouth, stopping any sound from escaping. Tears streamed down my face as I watched, helpless, while my dad fought for his life. The attackers were ruthless, tearing into my dad like animals. I struggled against the person holding me, but he wouldn't let go. Instead, he turned me away from the scene, shielding me from the horror. When the chaos finally ended, leaving only silence and death behind, I was left alone in the darkness, overwhelmed by grief and anger. But one question burned in my mind - who was the person who saved me, and why did he stop me from seeing my dad die? ok at least I found out who saved me but it was not enough.i don't know how I will be able to do it but I must find my dad killers. even if that's the only thing I will achieve on earth . The question echoed in my mind like a relentless drumbeat - why did Elias save me? For years, I'd searched for an answer, but he remained elusive, appearing only when he chose to and disappearing just as quickly. Despite his reputation, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. "I hope he shows up," I muttered to myself, the words a silent plea hanging in the air. With a sigh, I ran my fingers through my hair, my reflection staring back at me from the broken mirror. It was dirty and cracked, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Today is a sad day - the anniversary of my father's death. Six years had passed since that fateful night, but the memories were as raw and painful as ever. With a heavy heart, I made my way to the living room, the sound of my mother's voice pulling me from my thoughts. "Emily," she called out, her words slurred with alcohol. "I can't find my mouth, Emily. Did you take it? I'm scared. What will I do without my mouth? "My heart sank at the sight of her, a once vibrant woman reduced to a shell of her former self. My mother, my role model, had changed overnight, consumed by grief and drowning her sorrows in a bottle. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that the woman who had once been my rock was now lost to me. But despite the pain and the sadness that threatened to overwhelm me, I couldn't afford to dwell on it. With a deep breath, I pushed aside my own turmoil and focused on the task at hand. I had to go to work - not just to earn a living, but to escape the suffocating weight of my reality, if only for a few hours. And so, with a heavy heart and a mind full of unanswered questions, I stepped out into the world, determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead, even as the ghosts of the past haunted my every step. The bookstore where I worked wasn't far from my house, so I decided to walk instead of using my dad's old bike. I couldn't bear the reminder of that night, not when the memories still haunted me like shadows in the dark. As I made my way through the quiet streets, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that clung to me like a second skin. There were two routes I could take to get to work, but I chose the lonelier one, hoping to avoid any unwanted encounters. But as I rounded the corner, my heart sank at the sight of a group of guys loitering on the corner. They looked anything but friendly, their leering gazes sending a chill down my spine. I tried to ignore them, focusing instead on the bright morning sun that filtered through the trees. But as I passed by, I couldn't ignore the thick voice that called out to me. "Hey, sexy," he jeered, his words dripping with malice. I gritted my teeth and kept walking, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. But he wasn't about to be ignored. "You fool, I'm not the type to be ignored," he growled, his footsteps echoing ominously behind me. I quickened my pace, my heart racing with fear. And then, his hand closed around my wrist, pulling me back with surprising strength. "Hey, hey, where are you running to? Don't you wanna have some fun?" he sneered, drawing me closer to him with a lecherous grin. I recoiled at the smell of alcohol on his breath, my stomach churning with revulsion. Pushing him away, I spat, "Get your hands off me, you fool. "But he wasn't about to take no for an answer. With a snarl, he shoved me to the ground, his friends closing in around me like wolves circling their prey. Panic surged through me as I realized what they were about to do. Time stretched out, each moment dragging on as I found myself trapped in the circle of bullies. Their faces twisted with malice, and fear gripped me like icy fingers around my throat. But I wasn't about to give in, not to them. Their fists rained down on me, each blow sending shockwaves of pain through my body. I tasted blood, felt bruises blooming beneath my skin, but I refused to yield. Their threats sliced through the air like a blade, but I met them with defiance. Even as they slapped me, kicked me, and hurled insults, I stood my ground. I wouldn't let them break me, not today, not ever. With every ounce of strength left in me, I fought back.