The Land of the Wolves

Chapter One

Leaves were falling and animals were looking for a place to stay warm and safe. Fall has started and soon would winter. Everywhere people started to prepare for the winter that was on it's way. One place however, was different. That was Gantrick. A small village in the middle of a huge forest. No one has ever heard about it or rather no one came back to tell the stories. Those who dared to enter, were never seen again. Soon this forest was forgotten and no one ever dared to enter. In this small village lived a woman called Aurora Durandus. She was a very happy woman and full of energy. Something that some of the people in this village didn't really enjoy. This was also the reason why they avoided her. She walked outside and looked around. It was boring just like every day. Everyone was just out here, doing their tasks. Something she wouldn't do. Even if she knew what it meant. She didn't like this place very much but leaving it was a bigger problem. No one was allowed to leave after what the elders told. They always told stories about the outside of the forest. It was a scary world. Somehow Aurora couldn't really beliefe it. How was someone able to know when no one could go outside? She had always planned to leave but it was never the right time. Now she felt like it was. No one would stop her from trying. She walked back to her small house and prepared everything, only packing the things she would really need. Then she hid everything and sat down on her bed. Aurora would need to wait until it is dark to try and get out from this hell hole. It wasn't always calm around here. There were times, where people got hurt really badly. If someone didn't do what the elders asked for, they would get a punishment. Those are either being beaten up or even nearly starving to death. After a while the people in Gantrick got used to it and would do anything they said. Aurora however just couldn't do it. No matter what they would do to her. Even her parents were more on the side of the elders. That's why she tried to live a life alone. Away from them. It wasn't easy but she made it happen. For the next hours she would read a few books, make herself something to eat and pretend to be working. Then the night came. Everyone went into their house. Only a few who would patrol were outside. Aurora got her things out and looked outside to make sure that no one would see her leave. Even if they noticed the empty house, they wouldn't be fast enough to catch her. If she was lucky enough. She put the bag on her back and slowly opened her door. She looked around again. No one in sight. She closed the door behind her and slowly walked. She made sure not to make any noise that would alarm anyone. She knew, if she went out the village, the dark forest would await her. But she wanted to take the risk. Aurora walked slowly and looked around to see any of the guards. When she did she would hide and wait. When they went away she would get up and continue to walk. Then she saw it: The forest. She was so close but scared to move. She looked behind her again. This place would forever be in her mind. If she didn't leave she would regret it. She made her first steps into the darkness of the forest, then started to walk faster. „No turning back now", she thought. She continued to walk until she couldn't see the light of the village. That's when she grabbed her bag to get a torch out for some light. She continued with her path, when the torch put some light into the darkness. She walked a long way. Then she heard yelling and screaming. They noticed she was gone. She had to run and hide. Aurora started to run and look around. She had to be careful to not get hurt by trees or anything. It looked like she wouldn't find a place but then there was a cave. She ran inside, walked to a spot with a lot of rocks and got rid of the fire from the torch. That way they wouldn't see her. She waited and listened. Then heavy footsteps. „She can't be that far!", a man yelled. She tried to stay calm and not make any movements. „Let's hope we'll find her", another said. Minutes passed and the group of men were still near. „What about here?", one asked and Aurora knew he meant the cave. „We could look but I highly doubt it", another answered. They both walked in and started to look around. Aurora panicked but didn't move. If they got her now she would be dead, when they got back in the village. „No one here", the man said and both walked back out. Then she heard how the group talked and walked away. Just to be sure she waited a bit more. When she felt safe, she would turn the torch back on and walked out. No one there. She sighed in relief but she knew she had to keep moving or else they might return and find her. They wouldn't give up so easily and she knew that. So she walked along the path, to a new world and a new life. Not knowing what awaits her outside.