Hunger

CHAPTER 14

Renesmee

Billy cocked his gun and pulled the trigger. It echoed so loudly, I thought my ear drums would break.

The bullet struck the wolf in the gut, making him crash to the ground and whine.

A red wolf flew down the cellar steps and crashed into Jacob, biting a chunk out of his shoulder. I bit back a scream as I stood up. I wasn't going to just sit here.

Another wolf descended down the stairs. I knew it would be a slaughterhouse if I stayed in here.

I had to be the diversion. It's the only way to save Jacob.

Billy was reloading his gun and Jacob was wrestling with the red wolf on his back.

"Hey!" I yelled over the growls. Knowing they couldn't hear me. I stuck my index finger and thumb in my mouth and blew. The whistle came out louder than I expected.

The wolves looked at me.

"Betcha can't catch me!" I challenged.

The wolf on the stairs lunged at me, but I side-stepped out of the way and raced up the stairs.

I ran through the kitchen and out the backdoor, seeing four wolves in a crouching position, ready to attack me.

I crouched and jumped into a spring, flying over their heads and landing gracefully on the outskirts of the woods.

I listened intently for Jacob, making sure he wasn't hurt as I weaved through the trees, racing away from the approaching footsteps.

I hadn't realized, until it was too late, that I was surrounded. The werewolves had herded me. Now one was on every side.

I looked for a way out, but suddenly a black wolf lunged at me. I put up my hands protectively and closed my eyes.

Wind blew past me and my eyes snapped open.

A giant russet-brown wolf had wrestled the black one to the ground.

The other werewolves joined in the fight, except one.

I didn't see him until he lunged at me, throwing me against a tree. He bit into my shoulder and ripped out a chunk. The pain was so blinding, so excruciating, that an agonizing scream escaped from my lips.

The wolf dug his claws into my sides and slammed me to the ground.

I started to sob. The pain, by this time, was so indescribable all I could do was wail. I thrashed against him, fighting with the last of my energy.

The last thing I remembered was the werewolf over me, baring his bloody teeth as he went for another chunk of skin.