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Agony tears through my arm as the falling wooden beam spears it. Screaming, I yank out the wood as tears flow down my face. Gripping my injured, bleeding arm, I stumble from the back door like they ordered.
My heart is breaking.
Turning with a sob, I peer at the house engulfed in flames, and when the roar comes from within, I stumble back, crying harder. For a moment, I hesitate before their reminder flutters in my mind.
You must live. Run fast.
Knowing I cannot let their sacrifice be for nothing, I turn and flee towards the forest. I pump my arms as fast as I can despite the agony tearing through my injured one, knowing I cannot be caught.
If I do, I will die here tonight along with them.
No, I must survive. I promised them.
I race towards the trees as fast as I can, plunging into the welcoming shadows. Nature welcomes me despite the heat burning my back from the flames of my childhood home.
The smell of smoke fills my lungs, choking me. The acidic taste makes me gag, and bile claws at my throat as tears burn in my eyes. I turn to look, watching the flames eat what’s left of my life, before spinning around and sprinting towards the forest.
It’s my haven, the one place I know I’ll be safe if I can just get there.
I pump my legs and arms faster, pushing my body for all it’s worth. If I don’t, I’ll die here just like everyone else.
Run!The roar is just in my head, the memory echoing inside me. I sob and stumble, the agony and hopelessness of that one howled word slicing through my heart and soul.
“Wolf! I found a wolf!”
I spin, wide-eyed, to stare at the boy who spoke.
He is half covered in shadows, but he’s small, only a little older than me, but my nose tells me he’s human despite my senses being burned away.
“Please,” I whisper as I hear yells behind me.
“Search the woods for any others!”
He swallows hard, and no more words leave his lips as I stumble closer, wincing and covering my bleeding arm as I cry. “Please.” I fall to my knees as exhaustion and pain tear through me. My wolf, which has been trapped inside me up until now, bays within me for help.
For revenge.
The human boy takes a step closer, peering at me as I lift my tear-stained face to the full moon and stare right back, knowing I’ll die.
I failed them.
Biting his lip, he kneels in the mud before me. “Go, run. I won’t tell them.”
“Why?” I whisper, staring into his bright eyes as he smiles softly.
“Maybe I don’t want to be like them,” he tells me as he stands and steps past me. “I found a wolf!” He runs in the opposite direction as they all follow him, and I turn back to the forest, seeing a clear escape.
For a moment, my eyes track the human boy before going to the flames, and then I turn and flee.
“Wake up.” Cold water splashes across my face as a bowl slides in next to me.I jerk up and stare into bright blue eyes as he crouches before me, and for a moment, I see the boy from my past, not the hateful man, before it fades.
“Drink,” he commands. “We can’t have you dying of thirst.”
With my eyes on him, I pick up the bowl and drink it before holding it out to him. “Thank you,” I tell him softly, and he startles before grabbing it. His fingers touch mine and for a moment, we freeze like that.
Call it the aftereffect of dreams, but I could swear I know Vale. It disappears, though, as he jerks away and stands. “Sleep. Tomorrow, we begin again.”
I watch him storm away before I look at the door to see the moon hanging low. It’s late, and tomorrow will be here soon, as will their need for answers.
