Taking slow breaths, I told myself I was far enough from the trees to think. My thoughts still spiraled. If I could get Fang’s collar, I could make it look like he ran off. Or that something in the woods took him. The lie felt almost real. Until I looked at the forest standing before me, dark and unmoving, as if it were waiting. The dagger hidden in my boot now felt too small for the task ahead.

  “You can do this, Louis,” I said, though my voice carried no weight. “Walk tall.”

  I stepped forward anyway.

  Each step forward felt like the forest was pulling me in, with only the howl of the wind to accompany me. There I stood in front of the trees hearing the wind rustling the leaves bringing life to the foliage. Pushing me into the woods. Sweat built above my brow, my breathing hastened. As I pushed deeper, the entrance behind me vanished into the brush. I kept my eyes on the ground, searching for any signs of Fang. If he wasn’t too far gone. Broken sticks littered the forest floor. Wet boot prints led east. Too fresh to be mine. I moved forward, careful and quiet, following the trail.

  The boot prints lead to an opening, the leaves and animal prints scattered the trail. I stood for a moment. Trying to find a new trail, there were multiple tracks showing a pack of deer was here. Their steps franticly moved in all directions besides west. Scanning the west side of the opening there was paw marks, they were bigger than my torso. Shaking me to my core. These prints were fresher than the boots. I trembled with every step forward. My breaths were shallow as the forest grew darker now looming over me. I was the prey.

  I headed west, leaving the scattered tracks behind. Resolve thinned as time slipped by. The sun climbed until it was directly overhead. Then I caught a familiar scent. Wet fur.

  I ran. Desperation rising with every step, the smell growing stronger. My resolve crumbled. I could hear the frenzied sound of jaws tearing into flesh. I stopped in my tracks. Feet frozen in place. I peered from behind a tree. The upper half of Fang’s body lay in the brush. Where his stomach should have been, a wolf crouched over him. Its fur was pitch black, its frame gaunt and trembling. It looked starved. As the beast tore into its meal, I gripped my dagger with shaking hands. I took a step forward.

  Making sure to keep my steps silent, I raised my blade. I was now inches from the beast. It was entranced by its meal not noticing me behind it. My heart raced with every advance, I lost focus. I slipped. The beast growled snapping its head towards me. Its muzzle dripped as it bared its fangs. We locked eyes. It walked forward. I backed away, raising my dagger, the blade trembling in my hand.

  My footing gave way. I hit the ground—and the dagger slid out of my hand.

  The beast pounced, pinning me beneath its weight, jaws snapping inches from my face.

  Saliva and blood dripped onto my chest.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  A thick branch lay by my side. I jammed it between the beast’s jaws.

  Shoving with everything I had, it snarled head wrenching to the side.

  I scrambled to my feet and spotted the dagger. I lunged for it.

  Heavy steps thundered closer. I spun and swung blindly. The blade made contact. The beast yelped.

  We locked eyes again, circling each other. Its steps faltered. It was now limping.

  My strength was fading. Fear took its place. Regaining my breath I stood in place.

  I had to stand my ground.

  The forest silently watched me and this beast. Only my shaky breaths could be heard.

  The beast snapping its jaws barred its fangs. It barked, this was also its final stand.

  I took my stance holding the small blade forward with both hands. I trembled.

  I closed my eyes putting faith into my blade.

  I thrust forward as the beast lunged.

  The force knocked me off my feet. The beast landed on top.

  My eyes remained shut. Feeling the beast’s hot breath hit my face, I was done for.

  The pants from the beast faded into a whimper. I opened my eyes.

  My blade was buried to the hilt.

  The beast shuddered.

  Warm blood flooded my hands.

  Pushing the beast off me. It hit the ground with a wet thud. Its breath stuttered, then faded. The beast went limp. Gasping, I braced myself against a tree until the world steadied. I pressed forward

  Fang was waiting.

  My body grew heavy as I reached Fangs body. I gazed upon his corpse as memories flooded my mind. I raised this pup. The same hands that held him so close were the same that could take his life. The burning in my chest grew, I kneeled by his side petting his head. I removed his collar and cut out a tuft of fur. Clutching the collar, I stared into the darkening sky as the wind howled through the trees. I wanted to stay, but I couldn’t. The woods released me back into the world.

  On the walk home, I rehearsed the lie. A wolf. Grievous wounds. Fang couldn’t continue. When the house came into view, my mother stood on the porch, shawl clutched tight, waiting.

  “Where have you been---” her sentence stopped. She had noticed my blood stained hands and claw marks torn into my shirt. “My days Louis --- what happened.” She said looking over me.

  “I-I found Fang”. I lifted the collar to show her. I couldn’t match her gaze. “The wolves got to him before I could.” I say, the truth swelled in my throat, begging to be released. She lifted my shirt. Her mouth was agape.

  “I see Fang isn’t with you, you can continue while we clean your wounds.” She grabbed my hand and rushed into the house.

  She warmed the bath and told me to hop in.

  “Continue son, what happened with Fang and the wolves.” She said pouring warm water over my body.

  “I found him in the woods he was in the spot I take him when we go tracking.” My focus slipped seeing the deep claw mark going down my chest. “The wolf attacked before I could reach him. By the time I could get the wolf off him…. It was too late.” The words came out thin and uneven.

  “I’m sorry about your companion,” she poured more water over me. “I thank the gods you made it home safe, my brave boy.” Her voice shook as she pulled me into her arms. I clung to her arms. Tears began fall.

  “I was so scared mom, I-I thought it was the end for both of us.” I wept the tears burned my cheeks.

  “It’s okay, carry his memory with you and enjoy the gift of life you still have.” She said, wiping the tears from my face. “I think we cleaned them enough, ill bandage you up when you dry off.” She gave me a kiss on the forehead and left the room. Her words hung over my head like a dark cloud.

  Once I was bandaged up, I went into my room. I was beyond tired of the day. I lay down bundling the bedding, pretending Fang was beside me. My vision grew dark, though my eyes remained open.

  “It is done.” The voice was apathetic “Do best to hasten your choice next time.”

  The room returned to light. My wounds burned.