The Clock Strucks Danger

Artic Wolf

This is a case of paranormal.

The following story is written in third person. Aaayooooooo!

Celia rubbed her waterproof mittens with glee as she turned and waved to her friend, Jenna who was trudging along behind her, panting out of breath.

"My sunscreen is running off" Jenna commented warily.

"Oh shush!" Celia reprimanded and she looked around. The were standing atop an icy platform, quite high, which gave a wonderful white view of the surrounding.

"Look, its so beautiful" Celia whispered with a dreamy look in her eyes. Indeed, the frosty grounds and the late afternoon sun rays reflected back like shining beams of illumination looked amazing. By this time, Jenna too had climbed the platform. She nodded approvingly. All the hard work of carrying the heavy backpacks braving the extreme climatic conditions of the Artic Tundra and, not to mention, hankering after the boss for a fortnight's leave seemed fruitful.

The two girls, Celia and Jenna, were room mates, work colleagues, partners in crime and so much more. They two had initially bonded over their common fondness for travelling, which quickly transformed into a very close friendship.

Together, they had travelled the depths of Grand Canyon, the heights of the great Alps, the stunning plains of the Prairies and so much more, having fun, seeking adventures, making memories.

This time, though, they were even more excited. During their careful research before planning a trip to the Tundra, they both had been wisely warned against the many dangers of the deadly Artic Tundra wolf.

"Two young girls going to the Tundra all by themselves. Ridiculous. What you need is a strong man to protect you from those wolves out there. Perhaps, someone like me" Dominique, a co worker, had winked his eyes at both of them with a naughty grin.

"We are sure that we can take care of ourselves, Dom. Thank you, nevertheless" Celia had politely turned down his offer with a gracious smile.

"Ladies, you must remember remember to pack all your feet and hand warmers. After all, its..." Joe, their boss, had begun his lecture once again but he was interrupted by Jenna.

"We have had it all packed into your suitcase since a week now, sir. Thank you for your good wishes." Jenna had assured him.

"How many hours of sunlight do you reckon we have, Cel?" Jenna asked Celia as she fished out a protein bar from her fur jacket pocket and chomped on it.

"It's going to be dark soon. I think we must put an end for the day now. I think this platform is good. Let's pitch our tent here tonight"

Jenna nodded and both set to work. After their menial tasks were completed, they ate a hearty dinner of  chocolates, cheese and lots of beans.

"I am going out to see the stars. Do you want to join me?" Celia asked Jenna. Jenna shook her head. She was already curled up inside her cosy sleeping bag with the latest thriller novel. Celia shrugged her shoulders and added another jacket.

" See you soon. "

"Take care. Do you have the flashlight?"

"Yes, I have them in my jacket" Celia smiled at her friend's concern, "don't worry I will be fine. The moon is up today"

Out she went into the cold and frosty Tundra.

Jenna had been so engrossed into an intense investigation scene in the book that she didn't realise that it had been a good while since Celia left. Suddenly, she sat up and looked at her digital watch. A half hour had passed. Surely, Celia wouldn't need thirty minutes to watch stars. Jenna strained her eyes but she couldn't even hear a single sound. It was silence all around. Visions of frozen corpses and torn limbs they had encountered on their way upto the top flashed in front of her eyes.

Jenna gulped. Her throat seemed dry. The palpitations in her heart rose. She got up shakily. Taking another flashlight, she ventured out of the tent. Her hands were trembling sending crooked beams of light on the ice, her forehead broke out into hot sweat.

"Cel?" Her voice sounded odd, unnaturally thin and nervous.

"Celia?"

Jenna called out her friend's name a couple more times. Each time, with decreasing intensity and increasing sorrow. She looked around in fear. She, herself, had walked a long way away from the tent in search of Celia.

That's when, she heard something which sent a icy shiver down her spinal chord.

Scratch...scratch

This was the sound of claws thumping on the hard permafrost ground. There was something, an animal, not too far away from her.

Jenna stood rooted to the ground in extreme shock and beard as the scratching sounds came closer, closer and even more close to her.

"Jenna!"

Celia's deep voice jolted her back to reality. "What on earth are you doing here? I thought you did not want to join me?"

Jenna sighed in relief and rolled her eyes.

"So it was you all along. You scared me, Cel!" She scolded her friend, "I thought you were gone so I cam searching for you. Then, I heard the thumping sounds. I couldn't figure out what to do"

Celia gave out a twinkling laugh and threw her hands up in the air in mock-surrender.

"I got bored of the stars so I went out for a quick run!"

Jenna shook her head. "Really, running at this time of the night?"

Celia giggled, "hey a wolf wants what a wolf wants! It amazing out here. I met some other wolves down the way too. Mighty jolly pack!"

"Well, that's very nice to hear. We shall meet them tomorrow. Maybe, we all could go for a run too." Jenna smiled and Celia nodded.

As they stretched their lithe bodies,  their limbs began resembling that of a wolves. Shorter, muscular. Thick, coarse fur sprouted out of their body. They both took their stance.

Two beautiful adventurous Artic wolves against the backdrop of the full moon night.

"Lets race each other back to the tent" Celia challenged and Jenna accepted.

Off they ran, gliding on the smooth ice, howling at times into the cold night.