Fighting Death

Death & Nature

Vivid colors painted the evening sky of the ravaged city, the abnormal golden rays shining down over the litter ridden streets. One of the few remaining skyscrapers creaked  loudly over the silent land, its windows smashed and portions of the towering building missing. A series of frantic barking and screeching could be heard from inside, before a large male wolf and a smaller pup burst through the glass doors of the building, sprinting frantically down the abandoned street as 3 scrawny coyotes chased after them. The male wolf held 3 dangling possums in his jaws, as he darted down the road, weaving through the stranded cars. The wolf's pup, Niviya, panted heavily as she ran, desperately trying to keep up with her father, a can of tuna gripped loosely in her mouth. The male wolf stopped momentarily, breathing heavily as he regained his breath, waiting for Niviya to catch up. 

"Hurry up Niv!" He shouted impatiently.

Niviya whined as she sprinted, her paws aching. She finally joined her fathers side, darting past him. He hesitated, watching as the coyotes drew closer, their shrill yaps growing louder. The male wolf back kicked a large empty trash can, watching it slam into the sprinting coyotes. He had little time to celebrate his victory, he immediately whisked around and darted onward after his pup. The two wolves veered off of the empty street down a narrow, dark alley. 

"Mom we're back!" Yipped Niviya excitedly.

"We found plenty of food in the old skyscraper, some coyotes gave us a hard time." The male spoke somberly.

The two approached a large, empty dumpster laying on its side in the secluded alley. A scrawny female wolf laid in the dumpster, coughing vigorously.

"I'm glad you're both back safely..." She said quietly, her voice raspy and sickly.

"Here mom, I choose this especially for you," Niviya placed the dented can of tuna on the ground, nudging it near the dumpster, maintaining her distance from the sickly female.

The scrawny wolf gave a small nod of thanks to her daughter, as she brought the tuna closer to herself, beginning to eat it quietly. The male gnawed on the malnourished possum ravenously, before tossing one to Niviya.

"Here Niv, good job today," He said finally.

Niviya smiled, before she began devouring the small, pitiful possum. They all ate silently in the gloomy alley, the last golden rays of the evening disappearing into the darkness of night. A series of wheezing and coughing startled Niviya and her father, as they immediately ran to the dumpster that sheltered the female wolf. 

"M-mom! What's wrong..!?" Niviya spoke with panic, as they approached the opening of the dumpster, seeing the sick female trembling and coughing violently.

She didn't even attempt to speak, as she began coughing up blood. Her weak frame shook, as she gasped desperately for air, the can of tuna spilled across the ground.

"T... the tuna..." The male looked with horror, whispering to himself as he came to a realization.

"MOM!" Niviya screamed, as she watched her mother become pale, blood beginning to trickle out from her mouth.

The male wolf watched in emotionless silence. His dull eyes set on his dying mate. Niviya looked desperately up at him, tears beginning to run down her face. Her father looked down at Niviya, a dark, dull hatred beginning to show in his drained eyes. 

"You did this," He spoke somberly.

"Dad...! I- I would never!" Niviya crouched against the ground, looking up at horror at the ruthless expression in her father's eyes.

"YOU DID THIS," He shrieked, his massive paw lashing across Niviya's face, sending her skidding across the ground.

Niviya gasped for air, shocked at her father's actions. She screamed as her father charged at her, bowling her over and sending her spiraling against the cement. Niviya trembled, as she tried to get up, her entire body aching. 

"LEAVE THE CITY!" The large male screeched.

Niviya could barely form a single word, both her and her father knew how deadly the outskirts of the city were. A large forest surrounded the city, a forest filled with monstrous beasts, prowling and searching for food, a deadly place. Niviya cringed at the thought of setting foot near it. Her thoughts were interrupted as her fathered shrieked once more.

"Dad... please... you can't do this...!" Niviya begged weakly as she finally forced herself to stand, her legs wobbly and sore. 

Without hesitation, he charged her once more, his nails whipping across her face, as she began sprinting for her life. Her father darted after her, his deadly teeth nipping at her ankles as he attempted to grab her. Niviya screamed, her heart pounding as she ran with every ounce of strength in her body. Two stranded taxis blocked the road ahead, she had no time to think, feeling her father's teeth just moments behind her. She slid under the taxi, stumbling as she emerged from the other side, continuing to sprint towards the outskirts of the city. She sprinted blindly into the woods, looking back to see her father stopped in his tracks, before he whisked around and sprinted back down the road, disappearing back into the city. Niviya slowed down near a large tree, collapsing onto the soft ground of the woods. Blood dripped from her ripped up coat, as she laid on her side, stranded in the dark forest. The shadows of this forsaken land felt alive, she felt eyes watching her, yet she didn't care whether she was hunted or not. She looked up, the moon shining brightly down through a large gap in the trees above. Niviya felt the energy of the moon running through her veins, and a new hatred burning in her heart.

"He'll regret this day," She promised to herself, before she drifted to sleep.