The Dead of the Night

Hey guys! This week’s story is up and I hope you guys enjoy it! There isn’t much to say about it other than if you like it please share the story with your friends. Stay nerdy!
—Little Snake

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The air was still and deathly silent. My footsteps seem offensively loud in the quiet forest. However, at the moment, I didn’t care.

A howl pierces the night sky and I feel my heart jump. Quickly, I dive behind a tree and will my breathing to be quieter. Something is chasing me and it is getting closer. That creature is getting hungrier. I strain my ears to listen for any incoming threats, but I don’t hear anything. I’m safe for now. Although I know I’m just fooling myself.

It was just a stupid dare. A stupid and foolish dare that brought me out into the forest. Now, as I peer out from behind the tree, I vow never to listen to my so called friends again. Another howl sets me off running again. I don’t know where I am or where I’m going, but I know I need to get away. To get anywhere but here.

I stop to catch my breath. Out of the corner of my eye I see a large branch that lays broken and splintered on the ground. It may not be the best weapon, but for now it will do.

I take off running again, this time slower and quieter. All of a sudden, I hear a snap behind me. I freeze, my heart pounding, as I hear the unearthly growl of my pursuiter. My arms are shaking with the weight of the branch but I don’t dare put it down.

Slowly, I turn around to face whatever this thing is. My breath catches in my throat. It’s body is that of a wolf’s, but so much bigger. The place that a low growl now sounds, can’t be called a mouth. It’s wide and snarled back so I see all of this creature’s sharp teeth; and it’s eyes. Those inhuman eyes, that stare at me with a look of pure anger. They are black and depthless, pulling me in. Freezing me, until all coherent thoughts slip from my mind.

I swallow and it growls once more. I am not ready for the attack be the creature doesn’t seem to care. It lunges for my throat and I hear the a crack as my branch connects with shoulder. This does nothing to slow the creature down and soon, it’s back on its feet. I try to swing again but, a giant paw hits the branch out of my hand.

Weaponless, I start to run in a feeble attempt to escape. The root comes out of nowhere and I crash into the cold forest floor. With a groan, I roll onto my stomach. The creature stands behind me, its mouth panting and its eyes unforgiving. This sight is engraved into my memory. The fear and helplessness are the only things I remember feeling.

​However, even that is pushed out of my mind as everything goes black.