Call Wolf

Chapter Seven

RattleD

Getting to Vinnar wasn't the relief that Maria had imagined it would be. If anything, the old shops and run-down playgrounds only made the hair on the back of her neck rise, sharing some agitated yet relatively harmless sparks between them. The truck entered the village with a cough and a moan before warily continuing on the desolate streets. It would occasionally stop completely, to have Charles rev it up again, but it didn't seem to matter much; there was not a single other vehicle being operated.
"So this is Vinnar," Maria trailed.
"It's off the radar. That's a good thing."
"I know, but I don't see a single person here."
Charles stopped the car, not bothering to get out of the street, and exited. He left the key in the ignition and the AC running. Maria frowned as she quickly undid her seatbelt and followed him out onto the street. She joined him by the hood of the car, a little rattled, asking, "What are you doing?"
"This is where we part ways."
"Really?"
He nodded. Once.
"You take the car and I'll find my way back."
"To the cabin? It burned down."
"No, I have a pack to tend to now that I failed my journey." His nonchalant expression was strained. "And you have a car to take to the other side of the world."
Maria let her eyes wander from the brittle buildings and to the truck. She furrowed her brows.
"So there are more like you. Does that mean there are others like me, as well?"
"I don't know. But now is not the time to ponder. You need to leave."
She nodded. Paused. Gave him a particular look.
"You're a good man, Charles. Even if you failed the journey."
Charles nodded again before taking a few steps back towards where they'd emerged. He let his eyes scan Vinnar one last time before meeting the gaze of Maria still standing in the street.
"Good luck," he said. "What ever that entails."
"You too."

Maria kept a firm grip on the steering wheel as another hail of pinecones came tumbling down from somewhere above. They assaulted the truck's windshield before rolling off, some getting stuck in the wipers while others damaging the paint. She sighed but thought it best to tear through the overgrown section of the woods - something she'd done more times than she could count in the lapsing hours - as quick as possible.
Her foot went down on the gas, drawing a shrill cry from the vehicle before it jumped and charged forward. She made it back onto some kind of trail and decided to trust her instincts as she did a harsh left turn.
The road was bumpy but she had to say that since exiting Vinnar and continuing through the forested areas, her surroundings were becoming more and more civil; a few hiking trails here, some chopped trees there. It all lead Maria to believe she was nearing another village - maybe this one with a trainstation.
Something went against the truck.
Maria lost balance at the same time the vehicle did. Her head hit the window, envoking a slight pain, and she managed to fall back into her seat just as the truck's right-side wheels hit the ground again. The engine was beyond salvation though, this time shutting off completely. Maria's eyes widened at the smoke seeping out from under the hood and the smell of petrol filling the car.
Not thinking much about what had caused the malfunction, she hurried out of the seat and towards the hood. Opening it was a struggle but as she did, smoke spewed out of the machinery and blinded her.

At the same time the smoke somewhat dissipated, Maria knew she wasn't alone anymore. Something had made the car wheeze and sputter once more whilst she'd been distracted. She kept her gaze on the engine space and discreetly put her hand against one of the many hot metal components. The heat went directly to her ears and she could finally differentiate another set of sounds intertwined with the metal's creaking and engine's sighing: breaths.
Maria rose her gaze at the same time the creature on the truck's roof let out a horrifying howl. She stumbled back, shocked, as the entire vehicle quaked under the animal's slightest movement. Was it an animal? It was hard to tell. Maria imagined it could be some kind of wolf but its size was off-throwing. Furthermore, the creature's back was arched in such a way it seemed capable of standing on its hind legs should it want to. Despite the fur there was something chillingly human about it.
The creature pounced and, not seeming too strained, landed just inches before Maria. Its giant jaws shot open to reveal a dripping maw, ready to consume her. One of the deadly paws took a swipe, missing due to nothing more than chance. Maria's head recoiled and the act made her lose her balance.
Despite her efforts at pulling herself back the beast was nearing with clear intentions. Each step was purposeful, dead eyes watching her fear increase with every failed attempt she made at getting away.
Maria watched the claws, imagined what it would be like to have them burrow into her cranium. Even in the havoc she couldn't help looking at them. They were incredibly disturbing yet strangely familiar.
Where had she seen them before?
She made a wrong move and twisted her wrist painfully. She fell back. The beast took the oppurtunity to pounce. Its sharp maw was soon above her face, closing in at a dangerous pace. Hot, ransid air blew into her mouth.
That was all she needed.
Not stopping to ponder, Maria placed her hands on the sides of the animal's face and allowed the chest to open. All at once, incredible heat surged to her fingers.
The beast flew off the ground seconds before Maria did the same. She looked around but couldn't find it anymore. Instead she found herself surrounded by ten others. The same yet different. Each one looked just as bloodthirsty as their companion.
Maria raised her hands, earning a chorus of chilling growls, and tried to get as far away from any nipping mouths as possible. This left her in the middle of a continously shrinking circle.
Her eyes went to their trampling paws.
Then they widened.
"Charles! Is he here?"
Nobody answered but the animals definitely reacted, some stopping and some nervously throwing their massive heads about.
"I think I know one of you. Charles," she repeated. She looked around, desperately searching for any sort of intelligence hiding within the black eyes. "He's your leader, isn't he?"
A little more commotion.
"He's a friend of mine, I swear, I swear!"
"Can you prove that?"
The voice, if somewhat burly, was a relief to hear.
The one who'd spoken was behind her. He stood amongst the beasts, naked and dirty but definitely a human. His eyes were narrowed, his posture everything but warm.
Maria gulped.
"Get him. He'll confirm everything."
"You just hurt one of his packmates... I don't think you want him to find you."
"Your packmate just tried to kill his friend. Maybe I'm not the only one in danger."
Silence.
"Keep an eye on her. I will get him. She makes a move, kill her... Let's see if you're as close as you say you are."

A/n
Leaving Turkey tonight :(