A Wolf's Tale (Book #2) Shadows of the Past

Chapter 5

An aesthetic of Rascal! I really like this one!  I made it myself. :P

Rascal trotted through the forest. His paws crunching on dead leaves. He stiffened and gazed down at the leaves in confusion.

But it's Winter. Where did these leaves come from?

A snapping stick jerked him out of his thoughts. His fur stood on end and he slowly looked over his shoulder.

The dark shadows were silent. He couldn't see anything. Only the whispering breeze could be heard.

Rascal cautiously continued on. He tried to avoid stepping on leaves, fearing of being watched. But it was impossible. A thick layer of leaves shuffled noisily beneath his paws.

He looked back and saw a stumbling wolf drag itself out into the dim light. Its muzzle was dripping with blood. The fur along its spine and shoulders were torn. But the eyes scared Rascal the most. They were horrifying; popping out of the wolf's head and hanging limply at its cheeks. It growled a horrible growl, it's body trembling.

Rascal's eyes widened. He turned around and raced through the woods. The leaves slowed him down. He leaped over the immense piles and fumbled a few times.

He risked a glance and to his astonishment, the creepy wolf was walking, yet catching up to him without running.

Rascal gasped and attempted to pick up his pace. He felt like he was sinking deeper and deeper into the leaves. They eventually covered him all the way to his ears. He dropped low and forced himself to quit trembling. Hiding under the pile of leaves, he held his breath.

The terrifying shuffling grew closer. The raggedy breathing was raspy and tight. Rascal could hear his heart thudding wildly against his chest.

The shuffling stopped.

Rascal twitched his ears and listened hard for the next movement.

It was getting closer.

And closer.

And closer.

Rascal swallowed.

The leaves were slashed aside, revealing the terrible creature. Its disgusting eyes glared at Rascal madly.

He howled as the wolf lunged for him.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

Rascal gasped as he opened his eyes. The pelted walls of his den reflected the gentle light from outside. The cold frigid air was a relief.

It was only a dream.

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. His exhales fogging white against the darkness. Resting his chin in his paws, he sighed.

Misty was beside him sleeping soundly. He was glad that the dream was over. What if that strange wolf had killed him?

He shook his head.
It was only a dream, Rascal, don't act so stupid. He scolded.

He could still feel his heart racing. It felt so real. Everything about it. The rustling of the leaves, the growling of the wolf.....

Rascal shuddered and flicked his tail. Misty woke by now and was staring at him in concern.

"You okay?"

He looked at the den wall. "Yeah."

"You sure? You look like you don't feel so well." Misty rose and pressed a paw in his dark fur.

Rascal swallowed and hesitated a moment before nodding. "Just a nightmare."

Misty smirked.

He caught it. "What's so funny?"