The Path to Love

Chapter14: Territory

It is 6 am and my bags are packed. All plans remain in motion and the surrealism of my life is stronger than ever before. I take a quick shower, brush my teeth and ensure that I have everything I need. I can't believe that its happening. Once I am ready, I carefully walk down the stairs and enter the kitchen. I throw in some snacks into my schoolbag, fill my water bottle and sigh in relief. I am not sure where I am going. All I know is that remaining where I am, is not helpful to me in any way. At 6:29 am, I am out the door and Nina's car is already approaching. A minute later, I am inside her car.

" Greetings, stranger." Nina spoke. She is a short fifty something year old woman with plain features and a friendly attitude. Throughout the ride, I go over everything in my mind. "I understand what you are going through. I ran away from home as well." She said.

" So, when Sonia called me, I knew that I had to help. I know what its like." I simply nodded, unsure of what to say. Thankfully, she was able to give me some more money and a credit card. I thanked her, letting her know how appreciative I am.

After that, the ride was quite silent for some time. However, two large figures swiftly ran across us and something hit the car, causing Nina to suddenly press the breaks, causing the car to come to a screeching halt.

" What was that?" She asked, slightly alarmed. Before I answered, she stepped out of the car to search the surroundings. The sun had barely risen and we were the only car on the highway, surrounded by dense  and deep forests on each side. I stepped out as well to check the car to find a large dent on the front side of the car.

"Maybe it was a deer." She suggested. But even I knew that no deer was large enough to do that much harm. " I don't think deer's are that fast."

"Well, lets just get out of here, just in case." She responded, stepping into her car. I was about to follow, when I heard the trees start to rustle. In a matter of moments, a large and formidable wolf leaped from the forest and stood a few feet from me.

I slowly walked backwards, aiming for the car. But Nina sped off before I could take another step. I screamed after her, angry that she abandoned me. Quickly, I sprinted as fast as I could in the opposite direction, into the other side of the forests. The wolves growled and followed after me. I ran as fast as I could, panic rising within me.  Behind me, I could hear loud steps and wondered if I should have never trusted Nina.

The more I ran, the more lost I felt. The forest seemed to go on forever and at some point, the wolf disappeared. My bags were in Nina's car but luckily, my phone was in my pocket. I stopped running and frantically retrieved it, only to discover that there was no service. Panting, I sank to the ground, alone and lost in the never ending forest. 

If only things had been different. I tried to recollect myself and pull myself together. All I could do was keep walking and at some point, I would find my way out. At least, that's what I told myself. I walked for what felt like hours, too tired to continue. Finally, I began to cry, as I felt utterly confused. Whilst I cried, I did not notice that a different medium sized wolf was behind me. Once I turned around, I noticed its brown fur and large figure. There was no use backing away. This was the end. I looked down, awaiting the feeling of its teeth sinking into my flesh. After a few moments of feeling nothing, I looked up, unprepared for what was in front of me. 

It was changing into a ...woman? 

"Cat got your tongue?" She sneered. Her brown eyes screamed of nothing but hate.

I pinched myself several times. This has to be impossible. It had to be. Werewolves did not exist, could not exist..

"Keep on pinching yourself but it won't change anything. Who sent you, hunter?" There was animosity in her tone that I could not understand.