Five

The darkness was all-consuming. It was a thick, suffocating veil that seemed to wrap around me like a cloak.

I could feel it seeping into my bones, its icy tendrils creeping through my veins and filling me with a sense of despair.

I had been running for what felt like an eternity, my feet stumbling over the rocky ground as I struggled to find my way. I had no idea where I was, but the fear gnawing at my stomach seemed to grow with each passing moment.

Dashing out of the pack house at first light wasn't what I envisaged. But then, what had been happening for two days now wasn't what I had imagined.

I should have listened to mother. I assumed she was being irrational and had brushed everything aside.

But thinking about it now, I knew it was more than rational thought.

Of course, I escaped with the help of my mother. I didn't know where exactly I was heading; leaving the pack alive was the only thing that had slipped into my mind.

I jumped over several logs and gasped as my leg collided with something. I didn't know what it was, and waiting to check might be my end.

A wince escaped my lips, and my eyes watered. Where I had slammed my foot into was starting to ache, and by what I was currently smelling as it glided around in the air, it was my blood.

The state must be pretty bad, as it was difficult for me to use it.

"Shít!" I gritted my teeth as I jumped into what I believed to be another snare.

This time, I didn't continue. I couldn't. I stopped, waiting to check how far my damaged foot could take me.

It wasn't good. My leg was shattered, and it looked like someone had carefully slammed it several times with a pestle.

I guess it had become worse due to overuse.

"Please, let me use it this one more time." I winced, limping towards a large tree to rest my aching back.

I gripped the hem of the skirt I donned and used it to make a makeshift gauze. I wrapped it around my leg and stood to my feet, testing it. It wasn't perfect, but I could manage.

I could get to a nearby pack soon and look for help before the leg was damaged forever.

I heaved a breath and let it in before letting it out again.

A rustle sounded behind me, and I jerked.

My eyes narrowed, and I stood alert while awaiting whatever was behind me to burst out of the open.

My heart began racing for some reason best known to it. I felt a familiar prick behind my neck, and I furrowed my brows. I felt the same thing two days ago before I was found cursed.

I believed the weird black werewolf was near. It could be only it. I had never felt such before now. But why was this happening?

My eyes flitted to the moon. It was the same moon as two days ago, but this seemed bloodied. I didn't know what it meant, but I knew it would not be good.

I needed to get out of the woods and save myself. Who knows, the black werewolf might be here to finish what it didn't, seeing as I had challenged it to a duel.

But for some reason, I couldn't move. I couldn't move my feet despite how hard I tried.