Grunting in frustration, the creature launched itself at the pine tree - determined not to be evaded by its prey, it began to angrily ram its weight against the withered trunk. Elenor gripped tightly to the bark, her eyes clenched firmly shut in terror. The tree was shuddering unhealthily, and she knew it was only a matter of time before she was toppled from her temporary sanctuary.
A streamlined object whistled through the air, skimming the side of the creature's beastly snout. Elenor peered precariously downwards, as she caught sight of a familiar black and white feathered arrow shaft embedded in the bark.
"Max!" she whispered with a newfound sense of reassurance.
Cursing at his misfortune, Max drew the bowstring back smoothly a second time - the willow that formed the limbs of the bow flexed with ease, as Max composed himself. The creature swiftly turned its head to face this new assailant, causing Max's aim to falter and the arrow to fall short. Bile rose in his throat, burning ferociously in his chest as he stared in trepidation at the monstrosity before him.
It initially had the appearance of a wolf, but this misconception was soon corrected as it reared up on its muscular hind legs. Its entire exterior was covered in charcoal fur, the only variation in colour being the moist patches of blood that stained its hide - piercing green eyes glared out from behind the gloomy hair, though somehow they held a strange sense of familiarity. The putrid stench of rotting flesh festered heavy on the air with every deep inhalation, its breath billowing out in clouds of fog that polluted the night air. A guttural snarl resounded from deep within its tainted lungs, and the black lips of the lupine snout curled outwards to reveal pointed canines that gleamed in the moonlight.
Max fumbled to nock another arrow, his fingers plastered in sweat and his vision blurred. Sensing his anxiety and lack of composure, the wolf lifted its shaggy head with a ravenous grunt - only to be stunned momentarily by a falling branch. Elenor had managed to dislodge a considerably heavy branch, which had come down on the wolf with an almighty force, giving Max just enough time to heed his sister's advice:
"Max, run! For God's sake, just RUN!"
Satisfied that his sister was safe, Max turned tail and thundered through the undergrowth. He knew that he had an almost non-existent chance of outrunning this half lupine, half human abomination - but he certainly would put up an honourable fight. If anything, his death would ensure his siblings safe passage out of the forest. A deathly growl behind him alerted Max to the presence of the wolf, now intent on slaughtering the human that had opposed him.
In the same moment that Max turned to willingly accept his fate, he was brutally thrown aside and winded as he landed awkwardly on upturned tree roots. Though his vision was altered and his body burning with numbing pain, he was filled with a strange combination of optimism and dread as he noticed the wolf circling Adrian. His brother held a ferocious glare with the wolf, both trying to second guess their opponent's next move.
The wolf lunged forward, and Adrian rolled aside, lifting his axe to skewer the creature. Although now wounded, the wolf was far more agile and turned with dexterity, batting Adrian aside with ease. Gouging its claws into his heavily panting chest, the wolf clambered on top of Adrian, as though claiming a kill. Their eyes met for a moment, and Adrian was stunned by the almost human eyes that stared back.
A searing pain was awoken in Adrian's body, as lupine teeth tore savagely into his shoulder. Crying out in agony, Adrian was completely powerless to subdue the creature - his brother's attempts were also futile, Max desperately hurling himself at the wolf to free his brother from the excruciating torture.
Deep in a frenzied mindset, the wolf was completely unprepared for the blow of the sword that came seemingly from nowhere. The blade cut clean through flesh and bone, and a severed bloody paw landed on the forest floor. Whimpering submissively, the wolf abandoned Adrian's feebly twitching body and moved with unparalleled speed into the forest. Adrian's eyes glazed over, and he was aware of the warm pool of blood that now enveloped his body - he was vaguely aware of three figures around him, moving frantically, before he lost consciousness.
YOU ARE READING
Blood Curse
Horror"By day the lycanthrope retains his human form, but in the light of the full moon he is cursed to walk the earth in the skin of a wolf. His hunger for flesh is insatiable, his speed is incomparable, his cunning is uncontrollable. The curse is passed...
