Camp K-9, Somewhere in Western Australia
"RUN!!"
Her heart pounded, legs coming to a halt as the huge, dark beast blocked her path. The animal's curved talons would split her throat with ease if given the chance. Saliva dripped from its equally sharp fangs. Paralysed and already bleeding from claw marks along her torso, she watched the man — the one who had told her to run — stand in front of the monster. He waved his arm. The beast swiped to grab him from the left. The man got onto the ground, rolling over to behind the creature. He launched himself on its back.
Her view went fuzzy, only able to make out the outline of their figures. Someone new tugged her arm, pulling her deeper into the dense forest. Loud roars and a blob of black fur went after them. Her companion pulled her behind a vast tree to hide, exhaling. She placed her head on the other's banging chest as they tried to muffle her long pants, covering her mouth with one hand and rubbing her back with the other. With a restrained smile, he whispered familiar words of comfort.
"We're okay. The others will be here soon."
Footsteps and sniffs made their way.
'I'm going to die,' the overwhelming fear turned reality into a horror movie. She sucked in her bottom lip and closed her eyes as the embrace broke.
Screams came from the boy who had hidden with her, the noise ringing in her ears. She crouched, losing too much blood to stay conscious as darkness creeped into the corner of her vision, but she half welcomed an end to the terror.
Two gold eyes pressed towards her, staring into her fleeting soul. And then, pain. Nothing but pain. She screamed, her body writhing in agony, blood running over her hip and legs. The rivulets of red became ponds of maroon and as her sight continued to weaken, the forest faded into a black void.
Měsíc woke, her forehead dripping sweat and her heart playing the sound of dismay.
It was a dream. No monster after her. No pain.
Brushing her dark hair with unsteady fingers, she scanned the room. Left empty, her dorm-mates had gotten ready for another day in what felt like prison. Silver bars hid most of the outside, the room itself plain with grey paint. 'Inspirational' posters of cats hung in random positions. Her favourite, pinned above her said:
Believe.
Mocking them with the idea that there was something to believe in.
The door swung open with a long screech. "Mmměsícccc!" the newcomer's voice mimicked a rooster.
"Lunnnaaaaaa. What?" Měsíc yawned.
The other skipped to Měsíc's dresser, hands rummaging through drawers, pulling out various clothes. She dropped a pile onto the bed. Měsíc's outfit for the day. "Hurry; I got up ages ago."
"Can't I lie in bed for one more minute?"
"Lobo and Hund are waiting in the cafeteria," Luna rolled her eyes. "And we both know that if you don't get up now, you never will."
"Fine," Měsíc whined, sitting up.
She gave Luna a thankful smile which her friend returned before walking back out.
"Pink again," Měsíc grumbled at the shirt, making her way into the changing rooms, they were almost as vacant as the dorm, only three girls remaining. She put on the plain fabrics, tying her hair into a tight bun. With hesitation, she placed her dog tags around her neck.
