The Borderlands

Shadows

The shadows were exploding from the tree line in a flurry of movement. Freya's eyes were quick to adjust and she watched disfigured creatures swiftly attack the already burning village.

Her feet felt like they were encased in concrete, heavy and refusing to move. What kind of living thing could move with such precision and want to cause such destruction? Freya pushed down her fear and urged herself forward. She needed to use her enhanced skills to evade detection whilst keeping her eyes peeled for any survivors. 

The screams pierced her ears and sent wave after wave of panic to the pit of her stomach. The smoke billowing from the fire and dark and thick, making it hard to see very far in front of her. The few pack mates Freya found were still mobile and she quickly directed them back towards the part of the forest she had left. 

The creatures screeched but Freya couldn't see where any of them were. She needed to stick to the cover darkness, for as much as she wished she could go out into the open it would just put her in further danger. Freya could hear the high pitched whining of children crying, her eyes darting around to find where they were. 

Two children were just standing out in the open. Their faces contorted in fear and their open mouths letting out the most horrific, blood curdling cries. Freya knew she could grab them and make a quick dash for the tree line. They looked small enough that she could carry them both easily. 

Freya took a deep breath and broke her cover. She pushed the fear bubbling up her throat back down and darted towards the children. She didn't slow down and didn't look anywhere but at her goal. Freya reached the children and quickly pulled the smaller one up and over her shoulder. The second child she hoisted onto the opposite hip. 

"Shhhhh." Freya whispered calmingly before turning towards the tree line. She was considerably slower bearing the extra weight and awkwardness of the children. A thin layer of sweat covered her entire back as the adrenaline kick in her brain forced her to keep going.

The tree line was just metres in front of her when she felt something grab at her ankle. Freya pitched forward, completely losing her balance. She pushed the children in front of her as she fell. Her ankle still felt heavy and she realised something had hold of it. 

"Get into Forest." She screamed desperately to the children. They had scrambled to their feet and were looking at her petrified. Eyes wide and mouths open.

"NOW!" 

Freya watched with relief as they turned and quickly disappeared into the darkness. She let out the breath she was holding and squeezed her eyes shut in resignation. Freya twisted her body over so  that she could see what had hold of her.

One of the shadowed creatures she had only seen from afar was hovering over the bottom half of her body. Freya sucked in a sharp breath and fear began pooling in the pit of her stomach. 

It was a werewolf but unlike anything she had ever seen. It's eyes were pitch black and soul-less, a giant black cape covered an almost skeletal body covered in patches of fur. Sharp fangs poked out from the snarling snout.

The pull on her ankle tightened and she actually began to physically move back towards the chaos. Freya kicked out with her free leg but it was quickly caught  and she began to move faster.

She had only ever read about these creatures. Had never seen one or even heard one mentioned within her pack.

Razorling

In the books they were solo creatures that liked to gorge themselves on meat including human flesh. They were described as wild-eyed primative beasts with large fangs that oozed a toxin to paralyze their prey. One book suggested that they had evolved from rogue werewolves centuries ago. 

"Shit," Freya hissed as her body was dragged over the rough terrain. She squirmed her body and jerked her legs but the grip on her ankles was too tight. Her upper body was copping quite a beating and Freya felt her blood rushing uncomfortably towards her head. She dug her fingers into the ground, scratching at anything to try and slow the creature down.

Freya felt the sticks and rocks cutting into her back but whatever she did they did not slow down. She was starting to feel sluggish and very tired. Her adrenaline giving way now to pain. Freya kept struggling but she knew she didn't have the strength to break free from the creatures powerful grasp. Her eyes felt heavy and she fought to keep them open. 

The smell of smoke and the distant sound of screams rang in Freya's ears before the world went black.