I've been Challenged Once, Given Coffee Twice

Chased #PicAStory

Pic-A-Story Week #2
Chased

'Why didn't I do as mom said? Why didn't I do as mom said?' I repeated to myself with that hysterical cry inside my head while scampered through the forest. Running the fastest I could, the hems of my skirt rolled up to my knees, my bared feet sank in the muddy woods-ground while hungry grey wolf chased me. My heart hammered so fast and loud that the throbbing pulse reverberated in my ears. In the back, every time closer, the wolf raced after me, it's labored breathing and growling frightening me to death.

Why did I have to go so deep in the woods to gather seeds? Why?' I thought repentant as I hopped over rocks and logs with a skill I didn't know I had, yet my life depended on that. "Woah!" I gasped hustling over a big rock, a log... A bigger rock... a huge log... "Aaaaaaaah!" I tripped and rolled down a ditch. My face hit the floor right before my hands and my knees did. I turned on my back and crawled backwards until a tree blocked any hope of scape I had. Fear choked in my throat to see the wolf stood on top of the rock I stumbled upon a second ago, fixating its yellow eyes fixed on the pray:me. My entire body shivered, yet I managed to move leftwards aiming to reach a sharp stone half buried in the dirt. I dug my fingers in the humid and cold mud to grasp that stone.

The ash-furred animal snarled, revealing its yellowish sharp canines, growling and then barking at me with the fierceness of a wild hungry beast. The wolf began climbed down the rock in a slow-hunting pace and I gripped tight the rock I closed my eyes and waited for the first bite... I had no strength to fight, no courage. It was getting closer, the twigs snatched under its paws as it advanced. In the distance it was heard a hissing sound, a humming traveling fast in the air... a second after a thumping noise and the wolf squeaked, a screeching painful howl. I opened my eyes. The wolf laid on the floor by my feet, an arrow crossing his head from side to side.

Mouth opened, I stared in disbelief, exhaling the fear and dropping the stone to the floor. I darted ahead, to find a man, a finely dressed and so handsome hunter mounting a black stallion; a bow in hands.

"Come", he said. "You're safe now girl. I'll take you home." He reached his hand to me.

"Thank you." I smiled and I climbed up the rock to take the friendly hand of my savior.

Pic-A-Story Weekly Inspiration

The picture presents a clear in the woods, maybe in Europe or in Canada. Tall pine trees, moistened grass and moss reminds me of fairy tales and so many mythical creatures I love, but also the home of wild and dangerous beasts. This is why I set my story in the woods; a girl being chased by a hungry grey wolf.