Little Red Wolf

Chapter Nine~

                                                                                     Chapter Nine~

Rebecca was swimming. The water of the Great River was cool and refreshing on her bare skin. She didn't dare stay in the River for more than ten minutes. After that, the cold began to seep past her skin and into her bones and she found that her movements were slowed.

It had been three days. Three days since she fled the village to keep everyone safe. Three days of isolation. Three days of agony.

The beast was stirring. She knew this as clearly as she knew that the men would not give up until the Wolf was found. Every day Rebecca felt a stirring in her belly and her legs would tense up, waiting to spring. She was getting antsy.

She had found berries to eat, but they weren't sating the hunger that continued to grow. Rebecca needed to feed the beast.

She slipped from the water and shook herself out. She crawled on top of a rock and lay in the sun, nose resting on her paws. Eyes closed lazily, Rebecca let herself dream about eating. In her dreams she was worshipped by all. They brought her a new snack every day. Animals, people, it didn't matter.

"Oh!" A voice startled Rebecca who opened one eye and peered out at her surroundings. "You're a darling!"

The word sparked something in Rebecca. She jumped up and paced back and forth on the narrow rock.

"I didn't mean to startle you."

Rebecca turned and saw Heidi Ainsley standing with bare feet in the water. She had a lofty smile on her face, and her hair done up in her braids. Growls rumbled up her throat from her belly. Heidi smelled of the village.

Heidi cooed again, and clapped her hands. She jumped in the water and slipped, her face turning to an expression of surprise as she landed on the bottom of the river. She struggled against the current to get to her feet, spitting out water and coughing.

Rebecca couldn't help herself and snickered a bit at the other girl's fall. Heidi glanced at Rebecca with amusement and then dove underneath the water once again.

Rebecca watch as a dark shape swam quickly beneath the water, spinning in circles like a dog chasing its' tail.

There was a flash of sunlight and the beam reflected off the water and into Rebecca's eyes. She squinted and looked away. When she looked back, she saw a grey speckled wolf clambering onto the water-slicked stones. The clacking of long nails had Rebecca arching her back.

She couldn't believe her eyes. Heidi had gone into the water, and this wolf had emerged. Uncontained glee filled Rebecca and she lifted herself higher to peer at the wolf.

The wolf seemed to smile at Rebecca and then Heidi was standing in its' place. She extended her arms and smiled as if she knew exactly what was going to happen next.

Rebecca startled herself when she jumped down and landed on two legs instead of four. She took off running, opening her arms wide and enveloping Heidi in a hug.

Heidi gasped loudly. "Red?" Her smile had dropped, but it returned quickly at the sight of Rebecca's face.

"Hi," Rebecca said softly. "Don't freak out, please," She begged Heidi.

"I won't promise anything," Heidi said diplomatically. "But there was just a wolf there!" Her eyes were darting around wildly. Behind them, Rebecca could see a knowing gleam. Heidi was playing a role.