Half Moon

Chapter 3

Warmth.

Safety.

Protection.

Those were the first things I felt when I awoke from a heavy slumber. Holy hell, I thought. How long have I been passed out. An earthy smell filled my nostrils as I lifted my head. Or well, tried to lift my head. There was something heavy laying on top of me. I shifted my body trying to see and that's when I froze.

There was something huge on me. Something warm and furry.

I screamed and covered my head with my arms that were free. The animal jumped up, allowing me to curl myself into a fetal position and peak at it. Another scream escaped my lips as I turned onto my boot and scooted away from the huge wolf standing before me.Are wolves even supposed to get this big!?!? It's yellow-golden eyes stood out around the wolf's midnight black fur. I noted that the darkness of it's coat was so black, it almost looked like a dark royal blue on the tips.

Suddenly, the black wolf lunged at me. Well, not exactly at me, but in front of me. It crept closer to me as though protecting me from something. I peeked around the creature and my heart froze. Four wolves, similar to the size of the black one, were standing in front of us. There was a white wolf, two brown wolves, and a red one. Their eyes shined the same color as the black wolf's. I heard a deep menacing growl come from within the wolf standing beside me. Again, he crept closer to me.

Yeah, protecting it's fucking meal.

But I'd rather fight one wolf than four, so despite my best judgement, I moved closer to the black wolf. His huge head swung around to look at me and I stared back. The eyes moved from mine to the spot below it, and again. Does he want me to be under him?

He did it again.

I moved slowly at first, as though at any minute he could lunge at me and bite my jugular.

Finally my entire body was underneath of him as the other wolves eyed me hungarily.

No fucking way. I am not under a fucking wolf right now. No, no, no.

My body shook with fright as I closed my eyes and acted like this wasn't happening. The wolf above me crouched lower, covering my body with his and let another growl escape. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the four wolves yelped, looked at each other, and took racing off into the brush. But still, the black wolf didn't move. I waited for him to bite me, to start his lunch. But he never did.

He smelt musky, like the woods and nature. His fur that touched my arms was coarse and thick. It wasn't until seven more wolves appeared that I realized I had stopped shaking. I had actually calmed down for a moment. I started up again when the others came into sight and I let out a shaky breath.

The warmth was suddenly gone and air swept around me. I kept my head down for a moment, tears falling down my cheeks, and finally looked up. The black wolf was right in front of me, his snout and my nose mere centimeters apart. He looked into my eyes before bowing his head to the ground and holding my gaze, wiggled his nose against mine. I sat up a little, wondering what was happening. I looked at the other wolves and saw them all watching curiously. There was a white wolf, that was much more beautiful than the other wolf I had seen. I knew she was different because her eyes were a mesmerizing blue. Hers was the only eyes that weren't the yellow-golden color. Then there was a scraggly grey wolf who looked like he was covered in scars. Two of the other wolves were black, but had brown mixed in. Two wolves were a bright red, almost abnormal looking. And then the last was a grey and white, that looked very young and soft. But I noticed that none of them were quite as large as the one I had awoken to.

He invited his friends along for lunch, dear God.

I was still terrified and I assumed that showed on me because as I backed away, none of them came after me. Although, the black wolf let out a whimper and his eyes looked almost sad.

I slowly stood onto my feet, brushing the dirt off of my pants and arms. None of the wolves looked mean, but looks could be deceiving. Especially on flea-ridden animals. But for some reason my heart went out to these wolves. I opened my mouth to speak and they all looked at me expectantly.

"I got... lost..," I started and took a big gulp as another tear slid across my face. "Can you guys show me how to get home?" I whispered what I was saying, in fear that if I spoke too loud one would attack.

The black wolf looked at the rest and for a few moments, none of them did anything. Then slowly, one by one, they all took off into the tress. But not before giving me one last look.

Finally it was just the black wolf and I again. He trotted forward a few steps before looking back at me.

"I guess I'll follow you then," I muttered and took a few uneasy steps behind him. I had no idea where we were going as early morning dew soaked the bottom of my pants and my surroundings looked the same every step of the way, but the wolf seemed like he knew the place from top to bottom.

He looked back every now and then to make sure I was getting along okay, until eventually he stopped. I calmly walked up beside and there, right in front of me, was my own backyard. A sigh of release escaped my lips as I broke out into a grin. I can't believe it. I canNOT fucking believe a wolf just brought me home. I heard an unsettling whimper but when I looked down all that was there was a scattering of leaves. I flew around in circles, searching for the wolf.

"Hey!" I shouted, and half expected to see the wolf's head poke out from behind the tree. But there was nothing there. He had left.

I turned back to the house and ran for my back porch. Jumping the steps two at a time I crashed through the door and found my dad with four other men and a police officer.

"My baby! Oh God, my baby!" my dad groaned as he hurried over to me, consuming the kitchen in two large steps. He wrapped his giant arms around me and breathed in my scent. "You're safe."

I nuzzled my head into his shoulder like I was a child again and shut down all thoughts. All I cared about in this moment was that I was in my home again, with my father, and not losing my mind in the woods.

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The wolves that night kept me awake. Their wails sounded out over the silent night, but one of them was louder than the rest. I imagined it was the black wolf for some reason. And although I should be feeling nothing but relief from being alive, I couldn't help but notice the twinge of sorrow that nestled in my heart that night.