Clara’s POV: Before they arrived at the shed:
The way out of the dungeons wasn’t as difficult as we thought. Aside from those men who were sent to extract my blood, there were only a few humans loitering around, each of which Lucas and I got rid of. We then moved up a staircase and pulled open a door that led us into the basement of a mansion. It turned out we were being kept underground while above ground, the place looked like an old, abandoned mansion.
“I think I’ve seen this place before.” Father murmured, eyes sweeping in all directions. “…Maybe back when I worked with the rebels?”
So, it belonged to the late leader?
We walked around for a bit, and my eyes didn’t fail to catch sight of framed photos of Kasan’s father along with a woman and two kids. The woman must be his mother, meanwhile, there’s no mistake that the kids are Kasan and Kenley. It seemed this mansion was their home before they became enemies. Why didn’t he get rid of them?
I haven’t caught a glimpse of any photo with Nate though.
Despite wanting to look around a bit further, I swallowed my curiosity and followed the others to the front door. Lucas was the one to open it, but the second he stepped a foot outside, a camera was already staring right at us as a loud, deafening alarm triggered.
“Fuck!”
“We need to move! FAST!” Lucas grabbed my hand quicker than I could react, hauling me behind him as he made a beeline for the forest. The mansion was surrounded by trees, there was nowhere else left to run. With mom and dad not too far behind, we dashed through the forest, twigs snapping and leaves crunching under our feet as we hunted for a way out.
But our movements quickly ceased when a thunderous howl shook the trees.
“Wolves…!” Lucas stepped in front of me, his ears perking as he searched through the trees. “Two…six…eight…A dozen! They’re coming straight for us!”
“Wo-Wolves?” Mother squeaked, clutching her gun close to her chest while tightly grasping father’s hand. He too, looked just as panic-stricken.
And even I was no different. Wolves were something I didn’t want to see and truthfully, I’d rather they hunted us in human form instead. They’re intimidating, their size…their sharp teeth…their paws that could crush you in one single swing…everything.
I…don’t want to engage with them.
“Should we…” I whispered. “…turn back…?”
“It’d be useless to go back now…” Lucas remarked. “We need to get rid of them or getting out of there will be for nothing. Get the gun’s ready, they’re near…”
I flinched. They’re n-near?
Another howl split through the air, and a second later, large, growling wolves came rushing forward, each appearing in my line of vision one after another.
My heartbeats went erratic at the sight of them, but I stood straight nonetheless. We can’t go back, which means, one way or another, we will definitely have to get past them. Here, I am not only responsible for my own life but other people that I care about: Lucas, Mom, Dad.
I can’t let myself succumb to fear.
“Get back!” I quickly hoisted my gun, “I’ll take care of them!”
The targets are closing in fast! The second they are too close will mean the end of us. But do I even have the skills to shoot moving targets that quickly? Can this rifle even sho—
Fuck! Shut up, Clara!
I shook my head vigorously, willing my thoughts to evaporate.
I’m wasting time with all this bullshit in my head, I need to focus! Even if I’m not in the best position, I need to make this work! I think I have enough bullets to shoot two shots each, that may be able to either take them out or slow them down!
Taking a deep breath, I took my stance and raised my gun, index finger hovering over the trigger. Whilst tuning out every distraction surrounding me, I focused my senses on the moving targets before me, ears perking and eyes constantly darting from one wolf to the other. In a matter of moments, I was able to make out the sounds of their paws as it dug into the forest floor, and I even managed to pick up on their heavy animalistic breathing despite the distance. My eyes also marked their movements, their humongous forms becoming clearer in my vision.
Newfound confidence sprang forth and without another hitch, my finger clicked the trigger. A loud bang was heard as the bullet flew towards the designated target, but instead of hitting one leg, both legs were pierced. It fell to the ground with a thud, a cry leaving its mouth. And not long after, another two were down, bullets puncturing their flesh.
Huh? Who…?
I glanced behind me to find the people I SPECIFICALLY told to step back, standing not far behind, each having their guns aimed and ready to shoot.
“What are you doing?!”
“There’s no time for your foolishness. We can do just as much as you can!” Dad countered. “If we leave this to you alone, we’ll all die!”
I cursed under my breath but didn’t protest. He might be right anyway. As long as they don’t get close…As long as we manage to take them all out… we’ll be fine. Yes, we’ll all be fine…
“Stay close to me.” Lucas moved closer, situating himself a few steps beside me.
I ignored his words and refocused my attention to the front. Me, mom and dad aimed for their legs while Lucas finished the blow to their heads. It took a while but none of the wolves managed to get too close…thankfully. And in moments, all were either unmoving or struggling to move on their legs.
“We need to move quickly.” Mother urged, “They’re down but not all of them are dead, if w—”
“Clara!” The sound of Lucas’ panicked voice blasted through my eardrums as simultaneously, a ferocious growl sounded from behind.
I stiffened.
W-We missed one?!
My end flashed before my eyes, but before I could even think to counter the attack that was most definitely coming, my body whipped around on its own accord then in the blink of an eye, my gun was tossed and my hand moved forward, fist slamming into its face. The sheer force sent its body colliding into a nearby tree, the sound of its bones cracking from the impact following.
What…. the hell???!
“Clara!” Mom and dad were by my side in an instant, worried eyes quickly examining my figure.
“I told you to stay close to me.” Lucas came up beside me, his displeased gaze sinking into me. “Things could’ve gotten really bad. Clara…why won’t you listen?!”
“Yes but…w-what just…happened…?” I stared down at my stinging fist with wide, bulging eyes.
Was my brain a little behind, or did my hand just move on its own? I didn’t move a muscle. I didn’t do anything yet I sent a full grown wolf flying?!
“I t-think…I m-might be o-out of my fucking mind…”
A heavy sigh left Lucas’ lips as he bent to pick up my gun, handing it back to me. “There’s no time to explain.”
Explain? There’s an explanation?! I can’t even brush it off as my imagination?!
“But-”
“For now, we need to get to the Alpha quickly. Once we get out of the forest, I think he-” He glanced at father, “–can find us a close route back to the sheds. He knows this place.”
I bit my lip, reluctantly nodding. As much as I’d like to know what the hell happened just now, time is really of the essence. Whatever it is that he has to tell me can wait. Returning to Kasan is priority…