Hunt

Chapter 21: A Second Encounter

"Welcome back. Trespasser..." The familiar growl of the white wolf rings out from the darkness and fog of the dream. In a flash I'm blinded by a sudden light. The space around me lighting up like it's suddenly midday.

Spinning in a circle I raise the familiar rifle to my shoulder, unable to find from where the voice originates. I was in the forest like our encounter before, but this time it was day time. Morning would be my initial guess, the fog was hanging low on the trees like a thick blanket, conveniently obscuring my vision.

"You just can't get enough of me can you? What could you possibly want with me this time?" I call out to the wolf in the fog, keeping my head on a constant swivel. The feeling of being watched is ever present in the back of my mind. I tighten my grip on the gun. I doubted it would do anything in this place, but it was small reassurance all the same. "Don't be a coward, show yourself!"

My questions aren't answered, the fog swirling through the trees like water through a creek. Something to my left suddenly lunges, barreling towards me out of the fog. Before I can turn the gun it collides with me, throwing me to the ground. A large and heavy paw comes down on my chest, pinning me to the ground, forcefully pushing the air from my lungs. The sudden pain in my chest felt just as real as out in the real world.

"I want your answer." The she-wolf snarls, bearing rows of sharp teeth at me, "Will your hunters yield?"

I struggle against my assailant, the mesh of the ghilli suit begins to strangle me on top of the massive lycan pressing down on my ribs. I unable to get full movement in my arms. Every labored exhale being accelerated by the weight on my chest. Each inhale seeming to be more difficult than the last. I was slowly but surely being suffocated.

"I can't say!" I grunt out. Gathering all the strength I can to strike out with my right arm, managing to tear through the fabric of the camouflaged mesh that had since betrayed me. My punch lands against the beast's side to no affect.

A low growl emanates from the she-wolf, lips pulled back into a snarl that works very as an intimidation tactic, "Very well..." the weight on my chest is increased, threatening to crush my ribs inward.

"Wait!" I wheeze, "There... there is no group!"

A puzzled look flashes across the wolfs face, quickly steeled away back to the snarl as she lifts her paw off my chest ever so slightly. Giving me just enough room to take a full breath. "Explain," The she-wolf commands as she returns the weight to my chest, claws now digging into my sternum, almost breaking skin.

Groaning I grip the wolfs leg, attempting to wrestle her off of me and from my chest. "Get off of me first. Then we can talk." I grunt through gritted teeth.

The growl raises from the wolf again, louder this time. "I don't have time for these games Hunter! We found evidence of more trespassing on our land tonight." She gets right in my face. Hot breath stinging my eyes as she stares me down. "Talk," She pulls her paw off my chest. Backing off with a huff.

Taking a moment to collect myself I shakily get to my feet, my left leg felt weak, as if she aimed to dislocate it in the takedown. Using the rifle as a makeshift crutch I take a pained step back and away from the wolf. "We have no organization structure. No clear numbers and no solidified group. I have no idea about this 'trespassing' besides what I did yesterday on the full moon." I say, putting my free hand up in a surrendering manner. "Honest."

There's a moment of tense silence between us as we stare each other down. I break the silence with a snide remark. Trying to keep my honesty and my lies as jumbled up as possible, "What? Puppy doesn't believe me?"