A Dark Night - Short Story

A Dark Twist

Moonlight glazed upon my helpless self as I brushed the seemingly luminous grass with my paw. The stars above gleamed teasingly as I tried to look for a way out of this forest, or shall I say, labyrinth of a forest.

I turned my head to the east, silhouettes of trees and mountains swung across my eyes, to the west, still nobody in sight...

It had been days since I was first stuck here. There was no way to go out, and worse, no way to acquire food. There hadn't been a single sign of life other than trees and grass. Besides that, there would only be mountains and empty rivers. Truly the forest of void, I would name it.

I decided to give it another try. I took in some air and howled as loud as I am able to, so someone might appear — hoping for a hopeless miracle. I stopped for a while, anticipating. For what, I don't know. All that got back were my own echoes across the mountains, all that's left is me — alone.

I begun to feel lost. All was beyond hope. Why did I even bother to hope, when undoubtedly what's coming next will be disappointment and dejection?

I rested my snout on the grass, not wanting to waste energy unnecessarily. I concentrated on my breathing, getting a whiff of the grass to calm myself.

My left ear drooped low, partially blocking my sight when memories a few days ago flashed in front of me...

"Swear your loyalty to me, and I'll consider to approve of your pitiful existence." Kyx — the current Alpha male growled.

The carcass of a mountain goat laid in front of me — wet, bloody and gory. Pack's traditions. To swear loyalty to an Alpha male, one must tear off a piece of meat to offer to him.

The rest of the wolves eyes at me warily. They moved into a formation, ready to pounce at the very signal of Kyx. I growled deep.

"I will not, never."

I eyed every single one of them as I said it. Had they not remember that I was their leader? Had they not possess any respect for the former Alpha?

Kyx snorted. "You're a pathetic excuse of a wolf."

In a split second, the wolves lunged at me. With the residue strength from the duel against Kyx, I flung them off my body.

It was unfair, I was weak from battle, and they are clearly having the advantage right now. If only I was at my full strength, these bastards would have been carrion in half a minute.

Within minutes, they managed to pin me down. I grunted, not admitting defeat. Kyx locked eyes with me while moving a few steps closer.

He stopped in front of me. Lifting his paws to graze my snout lightly, he laughed.

"Never knew this would be the end of you, Alpha."

He's mocking me. A deep growl escaped as I bared my fangs. In a quick move, my jaws slid to the side and bit at his paw. Alas, his reflex did not fail him. My attempt only managed to create a light gash.

He took a step back, surprised by my sudden movement. Blood leaked from the wound and stained his silver-gray coat in a small amount, but it made him snarl nevertheless.

Kyx steadied himself, aware of the other wolves around.

An Alpha must never show weakness to anyone. Else wise, the rest of the wolves will interpret it as an indication of vulnerability, which then leads to the wolves' rebellion.

My eyes met his — dark and treacherous. The world fell into complete silence. Everything came to a standstill, as though anticipating our next move.

Kyx pounded on me without a second thought. Instinctively my reflex took its place, but I couldn't budge due to the force pressed on me. Damn it!

"You're gonna suffer."

His powerful jaws closed in around my ears — the most sensitive, pain inflicting part of a wolf. With a quick tug, my left ear tore apart, leaving a scarce piece of meat in contact to my head.

I roared and howled as the intense pain surged through my veins. Before I could advance, darkness took control over me.

I couldn't envisage how long it was until I regained consciousness. I found myself amongst infinite layers of trees and mountains.

Countless times have I sought for the way out, and yet the attempts were futile.

As the stars faded and the sky lightened, I knew it would take merely a few more nights until darkness claims me whole.

It was hard to bear — the powerless, defeated feeling. Dark emotions radiated endlessly. Even as I lied down on the grass, a low wobbling tone from my stomach resonated.

Just then, my ears picked up a distant tune. The sound was far different from any I have heard in this forest so far. I perked my ears and concentrated intently.

The voice was getting nearer by the second. I quickly hid myself behind a massive tree. Accompanying the voice was the rustling of leaves and grass.

Has God finally received my prayers?

I peered in the direction to my left as I tried to identify the source of the sound. From afar, I could scarcely make up a tiny figure of red, carrying something brown in colour.

My heart pulsed at the very thought of feasting. Adrenaline rushed through my body, ready to pounce on anything edible. That tiny figure would be mine — down to the bones.

My prey strode into the small clearing in front of me and halted to examine the surrounding. I hid and froze, not wanting it to detect my presence.

"This is weird, I've never came here before."

A sweet, innocent voice drifted to my ears. She was mumbling to herself. By the doubt in her voice, I could conclude that she was lost in the woods like me.

I took a glance in her direction. The first item I noticed was her hood. A striking red hooded cape covered the white folds of her white tunic dress.

She was a 4 foot tall child, with a light tuft of chestnut hair coming out from the sides of her hood. Her face was a combination of confusion and innocence.

Her skin illuminated under the first light of dawn. I could already imagine her between my jaws — tender, juicy and delicate.

I would leap and lunge at her, and while her screams fill the emptiness of the forest, I would take my first bite of her limbs, to disable her.

Customarily, we will always aim for the fatal spot at the beginning, to make sure that the prey wouldn't hold any opportunity to escape. I examined my little girl. I wouldn't do that.

Without the fear of other competitions, I can take my time to rip her flesh apart and devour the delicacy little by little, like the perfect gentlemale I am.

Finally, after days of starvation, my treat was delivered to me. My mouth was filled with water just by thinking of her tender-soft arm.

A sigh escaped from her pink, exquisite mouth. Her hand moved to the brown basket to take a piece of rye bread out.

I was thrilled when she took a bite, two, three and more until she was full. All the better for me — a stuffed little girl for breakfast.

The sun rose a little bit more, not so to my liking.

I prefer to act during twilight, as the lighting would be sufficient to enable aim and precision, yet not enough to expose myself.

I should act quick, before it gets brighter. Sliding my tongue across my fangs, I bent my hind legs, ready to spring. Taking her down would be easy, even with my weakened state.

The only thing left would be counting down. With absolute precision and definite accuracy, I locked my target and grinned. A feast it will be. My stomach growled in anticipation.

Three. Two. One.