Wolf Tamer by Avery Song

Prologue: Run

Faster. Faster. FASTER!

The scorching heat of fearful desperation made my legs feel like they were on fire as I raced forward. Each step made a rustling sound as I ran as fast as my little legs could carry me.

No matter how hard my heart hammered against my chest, or how fast I took each breath to expand my lungs that begged for a moment's break, I knew that stopping was not an option.

There was no way I could possibly stop now. Not with so much at risk and nowhere to hide.

Stopping will land me in the shadows of death.

One wrong move and I'd disappear like the rest of my family. I was the last survivor, the sole carrier of my family's legacy, and there was no way I could allow the two men chasing me to possess what I carried.

The two men who murdered my family in cold blood.

There were so many questions about why this was all happening, but there was no time for my five-year-old self to process it all. What repeated in my mind was what had occurred only moments earlier: my eyes watching those men kill each of my loved ones.

How foolish I'd been to not remain silent. The slip of the whimper that was as quiet as a mouse was the blaring confirmation that those men had missed one more being.

It wasn't my fault - the squeak of sound leaving my lips as I watched them kill Mommy - but it led to this fighting chase that would either give me another day of life or bring me to the hands of Death himself where my family now laid upon unjust soil.

Now I ran. I ran hard, fast, and with the lingering hope I'd be able to protect this precious blade. The ancient dagger my parents told me to protect, along with the sacred pendant Mommy told me to always wear were with me. Adding the only picture I could grab before I jumped out of the window and escaped into the forest, these were the precious items of my past I'd now left behind.

The happy laughter, the playful banter, the warm meals, and sweet lullabies. They're all gone...and I can't understand why.

Running was always my favorite activity, but right here and now, it was all I had left to try to get the upper hand. If my legs failed me, my favorite activity would be no more than a memory.

Just like me....

A loud sound pierced through the air, igniting a shriek that boosted my adrenaline even further as I ran harder than I’d thought possible. Watching my loved ones perish only proved something I'd never thought about.

Dying. I don't want to die.

The mere thought made my heart clench as fear trickled through me in the hopes of crippling my will to survive.

I can't die. Mom said that I must protect our legacy! Why couldn't she tell me what that was? Why are these men after me? We did nothing wrong. We're good. Why is this all happening? Where are you, Mommy? Why isn't Daddy here to help me? Brother? Where are you all? I need help. I can't run much longer. They'll catch me. I can't-

Another burst of sound cut through the atmosphere, and with it came a piercing pain that ran right through me. A scream left my throat as the pain sparked through me.

Each breath that followed was as though the air was fighting to remain inside me. There was a leak, and the flowing movement of something warm beginning to drench my white dress.

My brain told me to run faster, and my limbs should have cooperated, but whatever was happening to my body contributed to the spinning whirlwind as my pace began to slow on its own accord.

No. Must keep going.

The fierce reminder was what pushed me forward, and I kept going even as the world grew darker. I was surely approaching my limit. By the time I could get a grip on my surroundings, it was far too late: I was approaching a cliff.

Oh no!

My feet hammered into the muddy ground as I skid to a stop right before the edge, but another bang of sound rang through the air, and I stumbled as I was hit by the force that injured me before.

The attack jolted my little body forward, and all I could do was gasp while my body was graced with another hole. With nothing to catch me, my body fell forward - right over the edge and towards the ground.

Everything happened so fast and yet felt like I was in a slow-motion all at the same time. When I hit the solid surface, my ears caught onto the sickening cracks that I was sure weren't from mere branches.

Before I could acknowledge what the sounds were related to, I was crippled by pain.

Loads and loads of agonizing pain.

This was nowhere near close to when I'd fallen down and scraped my knee. Or those times when I got so sick that sneezing hurt. The pain was indescribable and left me frozen as I mentally fought to survive and fight the pull towards sleep.

Warm liquid was beginning to leave me from various areas, and the longer I remained in that very spot, the more the warm liquid pooled beneath me. As the seconds ticked away, my body grew weaker until I struggled to even breathe. The world around me seemed to drop in temperature, making me wish I had brother's coat to wrap around me.

Am I getting colder because the warm liquid is leaving my body? Why can't I stop it? It's so cold. Why is it leaving my body when I wish to stay warm? Mommy, everything hurts. Help me.

The sound of footsteps reached my ears from above, and my body seemed to grow tense as I shut my eyes tightly. I was afraid to make another sound while my body became a motionless statue.

If I remained in this very spot, they wouldn't see me. I'd be invisible, just like Daddy said whenever we played Hide and Seek. I wouldn't make a sound. I'd stay and wait until I was all alone.

Then I'll find help to save them.

"YOU IDIOTS!" a rough, authoritative voice snarled, the words echoing all around, causing a few birds to chirp in fear.

"S-She fell over the cliff," another man stated.

"Oh, really, Sherlock? You think I didn't see that?!" Those words were followed with a grunt, and a sighing sound followed.

"She was going to get away, sir," a third voice announced calmly.

"She's dead now! Defeats the fucking purpose! We need that dagger!"

"I doubt that child had it. We should go search the house before the scent of blood reaches the pack in these parts."

"You're lucky you got the damn brains, or I'd kill both of you tonight!" the loud man huffed. "Let's go!"

"B-But aren't we going to finish the job?"

"And risk being caught in the process? These parts are dangerous for a reason. No fucking thanks."

"The scoundrel is going to die anyway. There's no one here for miles. She'll be mauled by the wild wolves, and if they find her body, they'll assume she was attacked by an animal or something. We'll tell the boss she killed herself or some shit. No one will know," the authoritative man concluded.

"Fine. I’m done with chasing her anyways."

"We should have just shifted and gotten this one over with quick. Too bad, though. She's a fast runner."

"More like dangerous. The harder to kill at this age, the more lethal they'll be once they grow up. Look how hard it was to kill the boy. If she lived, we'd be fucked. We have enough problems thanks to rebellious children," the authoritative man complained. "Let's go. Make sure not to leave any evidence behind."

"Yes, sir."

Their footsteps began to fade, but even as the world around me dimmed to a lulling silence, I didn't dare move. To be truthfully honest, I wasn't sure I could move.

Minutes passed and I remained where I was, terrified to open my eyes and see those men and the man who had to be their boss standing before me - ready to kill me.

Mommy. Daddy. Brother. Why aren't you here yet? I'm in pain. It hurts. So cold.

It took a few extra minutes for me to gather enough courage to open my eyes. I searched with my blurry vision before I worked hard to lift my head and make sure I was really alone. All that did was send more shockwaves of pain, making my agony worse.

I need help. I have to find someone to help me and my family. Someone...

With gritted teeth, I muffled my screams as I forced myself to turn over and rest on my stomach. The action made me want to cry, but my urge to shed tears was cut dramatically by fear as my eyes took in the pool of dark black liquid.

The metallic scent seemed to hit me right there and then, as though my very sense of smell decided to acknowledge what seemed to grow beneath me. I automatically scrunched my face in fear and disgust as my sluggish brain realized what this thick substance was.

Blood. My...blood.

The realization sent panic through me, and I knew if I didn't get help soon, I wouldn't be able to save my family. Using my upper body strength, I began to drag my lower half, which felt numb. I wished to make my legs work, but they wouldn't respond to the mere thought of trying to get up.

Faster. Faster. Pull and drag. Pull and drag.

Thinking of the very motion was aiding me as I dragged myself further along the muddy ground. It was getting far more difficult as the sensations I once felt in my limbs were beginning to grow numb and cold as I fought to move past the twigs and moist surface of the forest.

My vision was the next to decline as the growing sting of my sadness and fear contributed to the pooling tears in my eyes.

I fought through it all as I kept pushing myself to keep going, for I knew what I wished to be my ending after all of this.

Forward. Forward. I want to live, which means I have to move forward. That's all I need to do. To move forward. Just keep going. I'll find someone. I have to...

Time seemed to fade away along with all the sensations, leaving me unsure as to how long I'd been dragging my body through the thick forest.

It was getting harder to breathe. The air struggled to go through my bleeding nostrils, and what little air did get in only left my body from my two wounds.

My body grew heavier, making it far too difficult to drag myself anymore. I tried, but I finally came to a stop. I couldn't move any longer. I'd stopped functioning, my limbs finally losing all feeling while my mind buzzed in a fearful frenzy.

That was when I began to choke, leaving me no choice but to cough hard. The action prompted a stream of blood to escape my mouth and fall onto the ground.

All I could do was stare at it, the prickling wave of fear beginning to creep in as I finally realized the ultimate truth.

I'm dying.

I blinked a few times as if I were hallucinating and only stuck in a bad nightmare. This had to be some sort of dream, but as I lay there in the cool depths of the night, surrounded by the trees and wilderness, I had no choice but to face reality.

This is real. I'm dying. I can't save my family. I can't help them.

Clamping my teeth together in preparation for the worst, I rolled onto my back, which only shot more pain through me until I realized what a bad idea that was. Blood began to pool in my mouth, and I quickly turned my head to the side, allowing it to drain as my tears streamed down my warm cheeks.

Why?

Why did they kill them? Why did they wish to kill me? What did we do? We're good people! Mommy saved animals. Daddy was a leader. Brother wanted to do what Mommy did. He wanted to lead and save animals who were being hunted.

Was being good bad?

Did we do something wrong?

All I could do was lift my head so I could stare upwards. The sky was swarmed with twinkling stars, and I finally noticed the massive full moon that looked so beautiful against the serene background.

It didn't matter that my vision was still blurred by my tears that continued to flow like running faucets. I could still see the wondrous beauty it carried.

Out of nowhere, a loud, howling sound came from the distance, though it sounded not too far away. I was sure if I could move an inch of my body, I would have flinched, but even that was taken away from me thanks to these men who hurt me and my family for no reason.

I feared that the sound came from some sort of animal. A dog or even a wolf.

More tears spilled down my cheeks at the mere thought, my mind absorbing my current predicament and my approaching future that was surely leading down a path of death. I'd either die from the blood I'd lost, or a wolf would eat me for dinner.

Dinner.

We had our last meal together. Mommy, Daddy, Brother. My dear family, all of us laughing and smiling. I told them about my dream to help animals. I wanted to heal them like Mommy, and be a leader and protect them like Daddy. Brother said he'd teach me all the ropes. We were going to help the world together.

We would do good.

Spread goodness in the world.

So...

How did it come down to this?

Waiting for death was probably the hardest part, listening to the beat of my heart that still raced and occasionally turning my head to the side to spit more blood when it became uncomfortable.

I got so exhausted from the frequent head turns, and after what may have been the fifth time, I mentally decided it would be my last.

The world around me was cold, dark, and lonely. It made me miss my family, and all I wished, for now, was to go home. To be tucked into my warm bed and be read bedtime stories by Mommy and Brother. I craved night kisses from Daddy and hugs from each of them.

I just wanted to do good and be happy.

My lips trembled from the cold, and it became hard to keep my eyes open as they grew heavier. I fought to keep them open a little longer, to take in the glowing circle in the sky for a few more seconds as the stars twinkled, but that was when I heard a low growl.

The rustling sound of the bushes was followed by the breaking of branches, alerting me that something or someone was here, but it was far too late now.

Death was imminent. All I could hope now was that the rest of my family had already walked upon that road so I could meet them on the other side.

They're dead. I just have to accept it.

They were murdered.

Killed...and there's no way I'll be able to get payback.

I somehow gathered the strength to move my hand to the tiny pouch that had been strapped around me. I didn't think I had an ounce of strength left, but this was its moment to shine as I pulled out the dagger I was entrusted to protect.

There were only two options now. I'd either protect myself or finish the job. They were both pretty sad options for a child like me, but they were all I had.

So...so...sad.

Another growl glided through the air, this one louder than before. It triggered more tears to flow as I prepared for death.

Something licked my forehead, and the action was beyond gentle and so unexpected that it left me in a state of confusion that piqued my curiosity.

My eyes opened slowly, those heavy lids deciding to comply with my wishes one last time. The blurred image before me began to clear, and for a brief moment, I took in the pair of bright silver eyes that glowed as enchantingly as the Moon herself.

A wolf…

Whether it was its very eyes or the way the moonlight shone down upon us, I knew without a doubt that this wolf's eyes gave off the saddest expression a creature of the wilderness could carry.

Sadness that I'm going to die.

With a deep breath and a hint of rejuvenated energy, I raised my hand.

Just...a...touch.

When my palm grazed the soft surface of fur, all I could do was smile as waves of peace rushed through me. The softness of this wolf's coat made a smile grace my lips as a final tear left my eye and ran down my cheek.

"Soft..."

The word was but a croak of borrowed energy as I used the last bit of my strength to enjoy these final moments by stroking the dark brown and white fur of this magnificent being. I wished I could live longer, get the chance to take in the full appearance of this creature and acknowledge its delicacy, but my eyes had finally lost their will to remain open.

They began to close as the strings of sensation in my hand went limp, leaving it to fall back to my side.

When the darkness greeted me, there was nothing left to fear, for I'd come to a final conclusion as I took my last breath.

Life isn't fair. The bad people always get their way.

I...just wanted to save the animals.

To make my family proud and do good.

Be good.

Live...good.

I wish...I could stay.

“Bye, Wolfie...”