Fallen Royals

Untitled Part 20

The road was empty, rarely another passenger would pass by him. The winter was exceptionally warm so he was checking the woods for possible bear sightseeing. February was coming to an end and March should bring nature's revival. Karlo was returning from the weekly grocery shopping. After Marina returned, they all moved north, deeper in the territory of Dugodol. Now, they were in the middle of Lika, on some god-forgotten farm. They survived by having cows, chickens and goats and Karlo's weekly trip to a far-off village which wouldn't compromise their location. He'd bring the food and news from the outer world.

Karlo stopped the carriage. His arm hair stood up, chills were going down his spine. He couldn't make any person or animal in the woods around him but he knew to trust his guts. The sunset, which was rapidly coming down, also didn't help his situation, it was harder to see the details.

He drew his short sword out of the scabbard and prayed that the enemy didn't have a gun or worse. The noise of big paws came from behind him. His eyes widened at the sight of the huge wolf. His left hand reached for the rains but the horse didn't need an incentive to start running, it smelled the beast behind him. With a sudden pull of the acceleration, Karlo was pushed back in his seat. He let go of the rains, gripping for the side of the carriage. He moved to the side where the wolf was. The wolf was running after them but didn't seem to exert itself. Karlo could follow its movement but his sword was too short to dissuade it from the pursuit. The horse screamed, propelling upwards on his hindlegs, the carriage jerked forward and then back. Karlo's body flew from the carriage, falling in the drain ditch. He groaned as he tried to lift his head. A stench filled his nostrils. A warm smelly breath leaned over him. His eyes followed the breath, a set of long sharp teeth were displayed. The beast closed his threatening snout and licked his face.

"Urgh, gross."

The wolf whined at his words. Karlo's head hurt like hell and he had a hard time focusing his eyesight. He looked around himself, trying to understand what's going on. The wolf next to him didn't seem aggressive. Opposite to them, two wolves were measuring him. Will I be their toy or dinner?

The light brown wolf whined again, seeking his attention. The intelligent eyes were looking at him.

"Hey, if you want some food, I can give you but I need to get home before dark. I'm already late."

The wolf groveled, displaying again the set of its sharp teeth.

"I guess that is a no. Well, I can't stay here."

The wolf jumped on him, knocking him back on the ground. The teeth elongated in humongous monstrosities. Karlo screamed as the teeth sank in his shoulder, the pain enveloped his mind. Tears fell down his cheeks as the impending doom hit him hard. What will the girls eat? The darkness claimed him.

Muffled voices surrounded him, he was fighting to open his eyes but his will wasn't enough. A female voice whispered next to his ear. - "You need to rest. Sleep." - The sounds grew distant until there were no more...

At first he felt the painful pulsing in his shoulder. All his consciousness was pulled to the existence of his shoulder, it was hard to feel his legs, back or fingers when the shoulder pain prevailed over any other part of his body. He groaned trying to move in another position to relieve the pain. The soft hands touched him and helped him move. The new position did nothing for the pain. He started panting as the pain was unbearable. The thousand needles were stabbing him in the shoulder. He opened an eye to find a bandage over it but no needles. He grunted and closed his eyes again. This is too much. The darkness was calling him again.

He jerked into awakeness. His breathing was erratic, a horrible nightmare of big wolf teeth was haunting him. The fear spread through his body as he recalled the dreadful images. He opened his eyes, wishing for the light but he couldn't see anything. Am I blind or the night is so dark? Or there are no windows?