Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Listening to the wind and the tales it told, Saleene closed her eyes and began scanning the area; searching each of the four directions, desperate to locate the path she should take to find the source of the trouble.

The cry of a raven circling above alerted her to where the disturbance was. Turning she took one last look at the Inn before she headed off into the night. She prayed those within would remain safe. After meeting with the old woman, she had a good feeling they were protected. Returning her attention back to the forest, she took off. Into the forest and the shadows she ran. If she was lucky, she would find the disturbance. If not, another person might die.

Streaming through the dense forest, her feet barely touching the ground, she noticed that a heavy silence had blanketed the area. Even the animals had become hushed.

Looking around she slowed her pace. “What has spooked you my friends?” She knew that most forest animals sent warnings to their brethren yet the air was silent. The feel of the forest had taken on a foreign sensation Not letting her fears stop her, she continued to move through the thick underbrush of plants and trees. Stopping for a moment to listen to the whispers of the wind, it bothered her that there was nothing but silence, something that she knew was wrong. The only thing other than the silence was a cold breeze that moved across her.

“Who’s out there?” She whispered. Closing her eyes all she felt was emptiness. Nothing like what the forest should feel like.. As she allowed her senses to fan out she felt a withered hand wrap around her arm.

Her eyes snapped open, taking in the ghoulish fingers that now gripped her skin. Its touch sent waves of nausea coursing through her. A foul smell filled her nostrils from the undead that now faced her. How had she not sensed it before now? Could she had been lead into a trap? Listening she could still hear something on the wind. No, this was a mere diversion.

“Hello.” Its voice pierced right through her skull, like hammers going off in her brain. Taking in a better glimpse, she couldn’t miss the black and gray skin that barely hung onto its bones. Another beast from the underworld had made its way up top. Soulless eyes started from red-rimmed sunken eye sockets, its mouth cracked in a wicked grin.

“What are you?” She wanted to make it feel it had the upper hand, at least until she could sort out what best to do. Its horrid teeth were protruding from its mouth, as if too large for its face. Yellowish and decayed, bright crimson blood dripped from them, a sign someone had suffered greatly..

“I am death and destruction. I am nothing, yet I am what you fear most when you close your eyes at night.” Riddles, why did they always give riddles, she wondered. Being so close to such evil was making her sick. She needed to deal with it and quickly.

“Let go of me.” Her gaze dropped to the hand that gripped her. It looked to be more bones than anything else. Long talons, where fingers should have been, gripped her arm tightly.

“Now why would I let prey such as you go? My master will be very pleased with you.” His master?

Peering down at its fingers she growled. “I’m only going to ask once more, let go of me.” She’d learned long ago certain tricks from her mother. She hoped her memory was as good as she thought. “Don’t make me ask again.”

“I do not think so prey.”

“Fine, but I warned you.” This time she smiled. 

“Fool, do you think that you can harm me? You? A mere mortal?” She knew it thought it was all powerful, a mistake that would cost it dearly. “I will enjoy ripping the skin from your bones and devouring your soul. You have not known pain until now. Your screams will echo for all eternity and you will know no peace.”