08

The sky was quite dark as storm clouds rolled in, the leaves on the trees rustled violently with the wind and I held the shirt to keep it from riding up. Chills went through me but I didn’t stop my run, getting lost in my surroundings. It all looked the same. As long as I’m far away from humanity…
My running came to a slow when I came across a giant fallen tree. I eagerly threw my arms over it and weakly hurled my body over, falling to my feet and twisting to my right to continue on.
My body froze when I heard a long howl moving with the wind.
I quickened my pace, trying to find somewhere I could be alone. That’s the only way I’d feel safe. That’s when I heard thudding and I stopped, deciding to hide between two trees and a bush as the running animal came closer.
Not long after, a huge bright white male wolf trotted into view. He suddenly stopped next to the bush I was in and tilted his head to the side almost in a confused manner, making a shiver run down my spine. His actions were eerily human-like.
The wind whipped around us and he stalked toward my hiding spot, his piercing yellow eyes scanned the rustling leaves as if he knew I was in here. The animal didn’t look vicious though, it just reminded me of a curious puppy incapable of harm.
Then he stopped, taking a seat at least five feet across from the bush as my heart punched into my chest. I swallowed harshly, convinced he was waiting me out so he could rip me to shreds.
This is it, this is my fate. I guess it’s better than dying by the hands of my mother…
I closed my eyes so he didn’t think I was challenging him and slowly exited the bush, crawling into the open and lowering myself in submission. I waited to feel his teeth tear into me but I received nothing-nothing but the sound of his paws stalking toward me slowly. My hands wanted to give out and let me face plant into the grass, except I refused to move a muscle.
Suddenly, something warm and wet ran across my cheek and my body started to shake. I opened my eyes, slowly lifting my line of sight just enough to see the animal wagging his tail. He let out a low whine and took a seat, nuzzling his snout into my face to lift my head up. A small smile formed on my lips and I turned my head away, refusing to meet his eyes because the dog family sees it as a threat. I don’t want to get mauled by this cutie, that’d be proving my mother right and that’s the last thing I want.
Was this even a wolf ? Or just a big lost wolf-dog ? This creature is not the beast Jade implanted into my brain.
I mindlessly reached out, feeling a strange unexplainable pull to the animal, and pressed my hand on his neck, making him purr before turning and licking my forearm.
The animal faced me again and whimpered, blindly licking my face with his tongue and giving me small nudges to make me look up. The wolf proceeded to do this another minute before lowering his snout and sniffing my wet face, the warm air fanning it and I got chills.
I scratched his neck with small pets, fluffing the long, thick-fur between my fingers. Given that this animal lives in the wild, it feels extremely taken care of.
My smile dropped and I bit my lip to stop the quiver. This wolf is better taken care of than me and he lives out here, it’s just not right…
I wish I were this beautiful dog.
He nudged me gently with his snout, sniffing me from my hair to my neck where he came to a halt. The animal licked me again and my smile came back.
Maybe this mammal will stay with me ? We could leave together, he could protect me from the other creatures that roam these woods. I’ve always wanted a loving companion…
Thunder boomed the sky a moment later and I jumped, instinctively lifting my eyes up through the trees as water began falling from the dark clouds. I frowned, getting up and restarting my route until the animal appeared in front of me with many whines. His jaws bounced open and closed as humorous noises came out of his throat. I couldn’t help but stop again and my frown deepened, he sounded like he was trying to speak.
He noticed he had my attention and circled me, wagging his tail into my body softly and trotting back the way I just came. After a few steps, he stopped and I looked down in embarrassment. Another whine echoed the air and I hesitantly approached him, the wolf then grasped my shirt with his frightening canines and tugged me to the right.
This animal is uncannily smart…
I’m not sure why I’m willingly following this beast, it could be because I have a strange reliance that he’ll protect me. I trust this dangerous mammal. Maybe it’s because he could sense my lost soul ? Maybe he knows deep down I’m being treated like a wild animal too ?
We walked back the way I came and the rain started coming down harder, the wolf then circled me again before swooping me off my legs by forcing itself beneath me. My eyes widened and I clung onto it’s fur, my body was now tense and shaken as he began running.
Why is he taking me back ? I thought wolves avoided humans ? Why is he taking me to my doom ? Maybe it’s not a pure wolf, it could be their big wolf-dog after all.
I would’ve gotten off, but I couldn’t or else I’d end up hurting myself which is not something I wanted to do, it’s bad enough other people do it.
We trotted through the open back door and I felt queasy, slight guilt forming in my stomach. I don’t trust these men but nobody deserves to die-only my mother. This animal might attack them, though I also hope this wolf-dog doesn’t get hurt coming in here. He has no collar so he could be a stray.
I watched the animal twist the knob with its huge paw, failing a few times before successfully opening the door to the room I was in not even an hour ago. The halls were as empty as they were before and I frowned, feeling the wolf lean me off its back and onto the bed.
He walked over to the door and grabbed the handle with his mouth, pulling it until I waved my hand and shook my head.
I feel safer with this canine near me. If those two guys come I’d have a weapon, with this animal I don’t feel as helpless and I’m enjoying its company. I’ve always loved the dog family.
I caught his attention and he let go of the handle, so I looked down at its legs and patted the bed. Through the corner of my eye, I watched him perk his head up, his ears going impossibly higher and his eyes widened. The animal almost looked surprised but I knew it was just my imagination. Animals can’t express feelings that well, then again, this dog is very intelligent.
He came back into the room and kicked the door shut with its hind paw, warily coming over to the mattress and wiping his four paws before delicately pouncing on the end of the bed. I watched him spin in a circle, finally laying down and closing his eyes with his tail failing around restlessly. Confusion morphed as I stared, did this animal bond with me ? Why would it do as I ask ? Could I be his new owner ? I’ve always wanted a dog.
I crawled closer to the pile of fur, rubbing my hand over his head and scratching behind his ear with an uncontrollable smile. He purred, wagging his tail more rapidly and slightly kicking his hind leg in approval.
The door burst open and I jumped at the unexpected sound, my body going stiff at the familiar man standing in the doorway staring directly at the animal in the bed. Relief flushed his features and I lowered my eyes, curling up against the headboard.
I’ve been looking for you ! Did you tell her ? Why are you in-
A loud snarl emitted from the dog and he sat up, his hackles raising and I grew a tad uneasy.
Silence took over the room and the man turned away, leaving without another word. My body instantly started to relax again and the dog took slow steps toward me after calming down, trying to see my expression with a lowered head like I was the timid animal in the room.
Exhaling shakily, I raised my hand and scratched his furry chest which brought a sad smile to my face. Who knew massaging and pleasing an animal could be so therapeutic ? Could it be because I’m giving it the very thing I never received ?
He licked his lips then let his tongue dangle out, revealing his intimidatingly sharp teeth. I stared at his movements closely and lifted my other hand to pet his head.