Howls in The Night

Chapter one: Piercing Eyes

   The school bell had finally rung, releasing me from its prison-esk walls.

"They really need to paint this place, the white stone walls make it seem super bleak." I mumbled to myself, unlocking my locker to put back some books before I left for the day.

"I wholeheartedly agree!" A cheerful and familiar voice responded, scaring me half to death.

"You. Need. To. Stop. Doing. That." Turning around and slamming my locker shut to further my point, I was face to face with my best friend. "Julia you always startle me. I was talking to myself there, no need to respond."

She giggled, falling into step with me as I walked away. "Yeah but it's so fun to see you jump! Seriously it's too tempting to resist." I met her eyes and gave her a friendly grin, "expect revenge."

We waved our goodbyes, walking in opposite directions towards home. I've been friends with her forever but she still manages to scare the crap out of me. Checking my phone, I noticed a new message.

"Riley,

Be home soon, dinners in the fridge. I wont be home till around 9. I hope to see you before you head to bed, hun." 

It was from mom. It wasn't unusual that she'd be home late, her work often had meetings late into the night. I doubt she'll actually be back at 9 though, as these meetings usually keep her past midnight and sometimes beyond.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and pulled my headphones back over my ears, letting the music wash over me. Weighing my options on which way to take home, the shortcut trough the woods seemed really appealing. It was spring time and the flowers were blooming, the path would be filled with wildflowers and the air would be clear. It was rare that the path was used by me, but in a good mood I figured a nice scenic view would only improve it.

Boy how I was wrong.

Night descended much faster than I had thought it would. It was only five pm, but the dying light of the sun was barely visible over the trees. Slowly the forest became scary. Instead of taking the direct route though the woods home, I decided to see the sights. After a bit of walking I had chosen a nice spot to stop and do some homework in, choosing a big flat rock as my perch. When I took a break for a bit to check my phone, it was already four thirty. Packing up my stuff and retracing my steps, I became lost.

"I swear the path was this way." Tripping over a root I finally turned my flash light on, the light showing me my path. Gnarled roots and undisturbed grass laid ahead. The night air shifted and my music died down as the next song started up, a sound finding its way through the growing darkness. Fangs snapping and the dying squeals of an animal. The sharp tang of blood filled the air, making me nauseous as my mind began to turn. Was there something dangerous in these woods? I've never heard of any bear sightings in this area. I turned off my headphones and decided to investigate, if there was anything dangerous then I should know what as to properly inform park rangers. It's a dumb idea, and I knew it at the time, but I felt I had a duty to fulfill.

Following the smell, it lead me to a clearing. A huge flat rock acted as the ground, mostly smooth with some bumps here and there. Trees surrounded the area, providing me some cover from whatever was doing its nightly hunting. Blood was in some spots on the rock, and it led to a large gray wolf. Its form towered over a crumpled form of a rabbit, seeming like a play toy in its presence. I slowly met the piercing eyes of the wolf. They were glowing red and brilliant under the moonlight, its body a redish gray with flecks of sliver that caught the light and danced in the wind. A silver mask like marking covered its face making its eyes stand out further, streaks of blood only making it seem more powerful, as if it could conquer the world. It had seen me.

A snap of twigs behind me broke me out of my trance, and I twirled to meet the gaze of another wolf. This one was half the size of the one in the clearing, its fur a muddy wash of brown and gold. It snarled and snapped at me, forcing me out into the clearing, forcing me to the huge wolf.

"I'm going to die tonight" I squeaked out, tripping over a rock and falling on my ass. Were wolves known for eating people? This one sure seemed like it would eat me without hesitation.