Wolves (English)

Chapter 3

As in a dream, I am standing there, among the trees, my feet firmly nailed to the ground, while the beautiful animal emits a soft whine again. My instinct tells me to flee, to call the ranger to tell him what I've discovered. But my heart says something completely different. Deep down, I would really hate to see this she-wolf killed. I would never forgive myself if I knew I would have helped. I can't just leave her here. Then she would also die from the blood loss.

I approach her with slow steps. Above all, I have to approach her calmly; otherwise she may be startled. I don't really know why I know that. I just feel it. I see a slight fear appear in her eyes as I approach. Her flanks go up and down quickly, and she makes a desperate attempt to get up. She can't do it. She falls back to the grass, softly howling.

'Calm down, girl,' I try to reassure her. 'It'll be all right, really.'

It seems like she hears me. Her ears turn curiously in my direction, and I see some of the fear disappear from her brown eyes. I crouch down. Carefully, I put my hand out to her. Apparently, that's a bit too much. The she-wolf jerks back her head, but remains quiet this time.

Now I focus on the trap that got her. It's a bear trap. I never get her out of that myself. I need help from a stronger person. But who?

Finn! His name flashes through my head. He may be skinny, but he is very strong. Inhumanly strong. He once defeated the largest muscle bundle in the whole school during the arm-wrestle competition. Well, I can tell you: that was a real spectacle.

It happened two years ago when Finn was sixteen years old, the age I am now. Amy and I were doing our homework in the auditorium when his best friend Kasper suddenly came to us.

'Have you heard it, girls? You should come to the schoolyard immediately after school. Menno has just challenged Finn to a arm-wrestle competition!'

'Menno?' I looked at Kasper with a suspicious look. 'What does Finn mean all of a sudden? Those two have never exchanged a word.'

'Until today, you mean.' Kasper's eyes glowed with excitement. 'They had a really big fight this morning. I was there, along with a bunch of other guys. Menno claimed that Finn had poured milk over his lunch...'

'And, had he done that?' I interrupted him immediately.

'No, of course not. Haven't I been there all the time? But please listen, because it is really hilarious. Our Finn got pissed on him, of course, so he called him limp and I know a lot more. At least, I'm not going to repeat it here.'

I nodded laughing. 'Yep, that's my brother.'

Finn can never take it if he is wrongly accused. Then he can suddenly turn over and get enormous tantrums. I'm used to it now, but people who don't know him well may be put off by it.

'The best is yet to come.' Kasper looked at us with an exuberant look. 'Finn claimed that Menno didn't dare to fight with him. And you know Menno, who is not easily distracted. So, he challenged Finn to an arm-wrestle match after school, and Finn agreed. He told me and the other boys to tell everyone about it.' After those words, he immediately turned around. 'I will now immediately continue with that. See you later, girls!'

At first, I didn't want to watch. After all, Finn was my brother, and I didn't want to be cut off as the little sister whose brother had lost a game against the strongest guy in the school. However, Amy later persuaded me to say that she would support me in everything, and that I should stand up for Finn if my suspicions turned out to be correct.

I soon found out that I had nothing to worry about. More and more people gathered around a large picnic table in the schoolyard to attend the most exciting game of this century. Fortunately, Amy and I were fairly up front, which gave me a good overview.

Finn and Menno sat opposite each other. I could clearly see that the two boys had just had gym class. Their foreheads shone with sweat, and their T-shirts stuck to their bodies. They looked defiantly, and did not say a word to each other. A friend of Menno's declared the start signal. The two folded their hands into the other's, and waited for it to sound.

At the time of the countdown, I realized that Finn looked different from earlier that day. Someone who didn't know him well enough probably wouldn't even notice it, but I clearly saw it. It seemed as if his muscles had grown a bit, and that made him appear more frightening. I couldn't explain why. I just knew.

My suspicion was confirmed when it turned out that he could handle Menno easily. With unexpected force, he managed to press his opponent's hand on the tabletop every time. Everyone screamed excitedly, and I saw Menno's face cloud. His strength continued to decrease with each round, while Finn's seemed to be increasing.

After nine rounds, the audience thought it was enough, and Menno also seemed happy that he could stop the game, which he had already lost. The muscular boy dropped in disappointment, and Finn made a wild round dance with Kasper, who patted his friend's shoulder with great cheer.

Sniffing takes me out of my mind. I feel a wet nose slowly stroking my hand. All this time, I knelt before the she-wolf, and I didn't even notice she was sniffing at me gently.

'What do you smell, girl?' I ask her.

The gray animal tilts its head and looks at me. It looks like she is trying to understand me. I laugh unnoticed at her look. How beautiful she is. Of course I've seen huskies. They are about the same color as a wolf. However, they weren't half as gorgeous as this lifelike she-wolf.

Again I make an attempt to touch her, and this time she allows it. Her coat feels silky smooth. The look in her eyes is no longer anxious, but soft, as if she knows I'm trying to help her.

'It'll be all right, girl. I'm going to call my brother. He'll get you out of here. '

Apparently, my words have reassured her because she stays quiet when I get up and take my phone out of my pocket. I key in Finn's number and wait for him to answer. The phone rings endlessly. Then I get his voicemail. With an irritated sigh, I want to put it back in my pocket, but then the voice of Owl City sounds through the forest. My own ringtone.

I answer.

'Yo, with Finn. Did you need me for something?'

'You can say that, yes,' I answer annoyed and worried at the same time. 'There is something going on, but I cannot say what now. You have to come to the forest like a rocket!'

'Okay, calm down,' he tries to calm me down. 'Where are you?'

'I can't explain that now.'

'If I don't know exactly where you are, I can't come and help you.'

Of course. Logical. What should I do now? I look over my shoulder. The she-wolf has given up the fight with the trap, and is now lying on the grass.

'You know what,' I decide, 'I'll wait for you at the dirt road. Do you happen to have a first aid kit or something with you?'

Finn is doing an internship at the hospital in the city. Thus, he cannot only help to free the injured animal, but also heal her wound.

'Not at the moment, no.' Now my brother sounds concerned. 'Ester, has something bad happened? Are you injured? Has anyone attacked you with a knife or gun?'

'No, you fool!' I laugh. 'Of course not! You really watch too many movies like that.'

Finn does not seem convinced. 'But what the hell is going on then?!'

'Not now!' I insist. 'Just come to the forest and I'll tell you everything.'

'Okay,' he sighs, still a little reluctantly. 'I'll cycle past home to pick up the first-aid kit.'

'Thank you, Finn. You are the sweetest brother there is!'

'Ho!' he interrupts me laughing. 'Before you say that, let me just make an appointment.'

'And that is?'

He deliberately leaves me in suspense for five seconds before replying. 'If I help you now, you will help me with my homework for English tonight.'