I braced. Braced for the end. I knocked an arrow, hoping I would hit the wolf.

“No Ikker.” My mom sobbed. I closed my eyes, just like dad taught me too.

Aim. I saw the angry wolf in my mind’s eye.

I pulled back the string, eyes shooting open.

One breath. The wolf was almost on us.

Another breath. My arrow leapt from the string.

Another breath. The wolf fell dead. At first the cheering was a blur, but I lost concentration and snapped back into reality, heart beating quickly.

“Ikker!” Mother exclaimed, handing me the last box. “You’ll be needing this.”

Inside was a carefully crafted knife. I strapped it to my side focusing on the waves of wolves outside. I turned to go, but hearing a defient shout, stopped.

It was two of my best friends, Meeker and Fleck. They charged at the wolves, driving them off. Fleck was injured, I could tell. The wave of wolves was slowing. Fleck fell to his knees.

I ran outside and crouched by my friend.

“What happened?” I asked.

“It’s Garten… he’s betrayed… the king.” Fleck wheezed, standing and leaning against his sword.

“We have to get to the Crossing. Now.” Meeker said. I nodded, waved to my worried family, and sprinted through the rain after my friends.

We ran for some time, always running, only stopping once to get a drink of water from a stream. The forest was cold, wet, and dark. I swallowed, following behind my friends.

We approached the clearing. Meeker shuddered, bending down. Eerie stamping and howls could be heard.

We crouched in front of a bush, looking out. The scene filled me with horror, fear and dread.

“Terrors terrors, terrors, coming, coming, coming.” Fleck whispered, I gulped, those words definitely fit the situation.

feedback is welcome!!

-Fleck