Winter Wolf

2. Darkness

Run. All I can do is run. I don't care if I trip over tree roots and I don't care about how hard the snow is to run in. Nor do I care about the pain in my lungs. The pain lets me forget. Even if only temporary, at least it's some release.

We run until sunset comes. Then and only then do we stop. Arlo had to force me to stop. I wanted to run farther away, far away from the destruction of my home. However Arlo, always the logical one, pointed out all the wrongs in my plan. Food, water, and shelter. Where would I get it all? Why did Arlo always have to be right?

"Are you listening Nyx?" my brother questioned. He had his arms crossed in front of his chest, standing in front of me as I tried to catch my breath.

"Yeah, yeah. I heard every single word." I replied with sarcasm.

"You could at least try to pretend like you listen to me."

"Well I like to be sincere."

"Haha funny. Get a move on. We still need shelter. There's no way we can stay out here all night in the snow."

"Fine. I'll yell if I see something."

Arlo walked away and I went off in the opposite direction. I stumbled in the snow as walked and cursed after I settled myself. Out of any season it had to be winter. I hate the winter. Winter's the season where everything is cold and bitter. Winter stole my parents away. I walked on. Stumbling as I cursed and cursing as I stumbled.

Then I spotted a cave. A small cave but still very much a cave. I walked closer, trying to peer inside. I saw a quick movement. Then I was tackled to the ground.

White like snow. Warm, soft fur. Razor sharp teeth and claws that could kill me in a second. I couldn't escape. The weight of the animal had me pinned to the ground. I had no weapon. Zero percent chance of me surviving a fight with only my hands. I am scared. I am dead. I can't manage to make a noise. All I can manage is quick breaths. Something drove me to look at the animal's eyes. I looked ever so slightly, at the beautiful eyes. Wolves are beautiful but deadly creatures. I was entranced by the eyes, but as quickly as the animal was there, it was gone. Why spare me? This is my only question. I laid there for only a second more to lock up my feelings. Then I stood up and called for my brother. I know where to spend the night.

This night is horrible. I sit in the darkness quiet and alone. I can't sleep as well as my brother. The encounter with the wolf flashed in my head again and again. The wolf did not scare me anymore. My thoughts were my nightmares. For a second, I wanted the wolf to kill me. To rid me of this world of cruelty and injustice. I could join my parents in death. The only thing that told me to live was my brother. We are all that each other has left. One without the other is death in itself. I do not believe myself to be that selfish as to leave him here alone. So for him and only him will I live. When he dies I shall die.

This night is horrible. I sit in the darkness quiet and alone as I silently cry the first tears I have cried today.