Me and the Wild

THE NIGHT WOLF // Chapter 1

I am walking. I must stop soon. My muddy boots are damp and rubbing on my toes, but I haven't reached the checkmark. It seems so far- maybe a few miles or so. The first checkmark is at the Bending Rivers , just south of the forest with all those little red mushrooms and brown toadstools that reach my knees.

It's magical, it truly is- with olive green vines twirled around the thick and strong trunk of the Mystical Hazel tree. There are mizzle plants (the ones with bright blue and orange flowers and thick leaves) and there are streams that pour down past spiralling roots sticking out the banks and-

I snap back to reality-

*rrgh* My foot- *oomph* It's stuck in a hole that must be a foot/ two foot deep at least. I think my boot is wedged in between a tough root and some scratchy soil that's piling into the top of my hiking boots.

'Uhh- my boot!-it's stuck!' I yelp-maybe a bit too loudly- oh well, there's no one around anyway. Im twenty six MILES from the village.

But- a scurrying, a scamper across the forest floor alerts me. What's there? A fox, maybe? A hare- probably.

Now I'm so close to the checkpoint. My toes still throb and I'm beyond exhausted, but I'm nearly there- I can practically imagine myself setting up the tent and lighting a fire and-

*grrowllmph* A low, menacing call from a Callady bush sounds. I freeze, my heart stops. My breath stops. Has the world stopped? No. Reality hits. It's a grey and black shabby coat thick enough to keep the wearer at 30 degrees. The paws as big as barrells with mighty claws. Sharp. Ready. Then I peer at its head as it lifts it- I let out a little gasp- is that- no...is it?

A Night Wolf- only 3 left in the whole WORLD, this animal has been declared extinct- one hasn't been spotted since 1980, but- I've found it? The grey and jet black markings on its back look healthy, an its familiar pointed sharp ears twitch suspiciously- this beast is huge- and I mean HUGE. I would be knocked out with a single pat of its paws. But..there's a distinct grace and gentleness about it. Was I imagining that? No- this mighty animal will show me who's boss, who rules the trees- but as soon as I lock eyes with it- and it locks eyes with me- I feel it. The deep, deep power of the Wild connects- connects, holds on. Something deep, deep inside me glows like a firefly inside me. The Night Wolf is here. The Night Wolf is so brave and strong and powerful- but there's something not right- the Night Wolf is suddenly a helpless orphan cub left by its mother, struggling more each day- but it made it. To this huge and utterly beautiful creature. I've seen its whole past- in a split second, I pull away from its yellow, frightened eyes.

I am one. One with the wild. This Night prowler needs my help. I am one. The wild and me.

Me, and the Wild.