Alive in the Snow

11. A Young Boy

She was cold but remained resilient.

Velorra entered the forest once again, determined to find her sister, Luna. Little did she know, someone observed her every move in the bushes. Unzipping the rucksack on the floor, she raised the 6-inch knife from the bag before sealing it.

"I hear... something..." - Velorra's body flinched and her tone sharpened after hearing an animal release a growl. Following the event, the sound of something shuffling in the snow-covered bushes increased in volume.

She swung the knife in front of her ready for combat with her legs shoulder-width apart. Squinting her eyes, she looked into the distance and then turned her head. A horrific sight of a wolf, laying low on the snow appeared behind her. She jumped backwards: her body stiffened immediately. Terror was growing on her face, shown in her widening eyes.

The wolf moved cautiously towards the girl with its teeth revealed, ready to rip her into shreds. It had rough patches of grey fur on its side and distinctive blue eyes.

Velorra walked backwards slowly, trying to keep calm and to maintain eye contact with the beast whilst pointing the knife directly at its face. But then, she came into contact with something against her back.

Her eyes moved to the corner and saw that it was a tree. Switching her direction of view back to the wolf, she noticed that it came closer which brought more panic.

As it steadily approached her with one leg in front of the other, Velorra felt a snake crawling up her spine. She had nowhere to run since her back was against a tree. Frozen in place, it felt like a powerful force had taken control of her body, but the force was her weakness: fear.

Her legs trembled and her head erupted with thoughts of worry. There was no escape and Velorra was forced to fight if she wanted to survive. Drawing the knife upwards clumsily with her two hands, it tricked her mind into thinking that she was ready to attack. However, Velorra knew that it was impossible to win against the animal alone.

The wolf grunted in dismay. Its eyes narrowed, and the mouth widened more, a growl escaped its jaw. Velorra saw its revealed upper gums and blood stained teeth on the canine's tips.

It lowered its head and lifted its back leg. The left foot treads in the snow. For every step, it painted a trail which grew in depth. Around the trail was a small pile of snow kicked from the side. Building its momentum, the wolf waited for the right moment, ready to charge towards the girl.

"S-s-stay b-back!" - Velorra screamed, her trembling hand dropping the knife into the snow and losing it in the process. Her eyes remained on the beast and tears started to roll down her cheek. She felt her heart pump rapidly as if it was going to burst out of her chest.

Once her cry was released, the animal launched itself forward at full speed. It dashed to the left and then to the right before jumping for the attack.

Taking control back of her body, Velorra ducked out of the way barely dodging the attack. The wolf leapt over her and its skull bashed against the tree, releasing a cracking sound. It whimpered with its paws covering its head whilst lying on the snow with its body curled up in pain.

Velorra saw that the wolf began to bleed from the nose and the thick blood trickled down its snout. The tip of its white paws soon blended into a scarlet red colour.

Taking this opportunity, she wasted no time in finding the knife. Digging the snow with her bare hands whilst the animal was distracted, she grabbed the handle and pulled the knife out. Her heart began to slow down and pick back its normal pace.

Velorra was more confident in winning the fight believing that she had an advantage. The wolf was injured and its eyes were closed. With the gained confidence. A quick plan formed in her mind.