Ch. 69 Determination

                                    

                                          
I keep my eyes trained on the black wolf; my every step is measured as I widen the distance between us. My pulse quickens, pounding in my chest like a drum as the underbrush rustles. 
Two gray wolves emerge from the shadows, their sleek forms cutting through the forest. Their movements are deliberate and slow, as they take their place next to their Alpha.
Their low growls vibrate through the air, a chilling harmony of menace. I scan the forest floor, desperate to find anything I could use as a weapon. 
But there's nothing but damp leaves and brittle twigs, useless against the wolves in front of me. Panic tightens in my chest until a glint of metal catches my eye.  
A dagger half buried in the mud shines behind the wolves, mocking me. It's so close, yet out of reach. I can't get to it, at least not in this position. 
The black wolf paces back and forth in front of me, his movements are calculating. His fur glistens under the dim simulation light, damp with water droplets. 
They then move to circle me slowly, like sharks surrounding their bleeding prey. I go into a defensive stance as I wildly keep an eye on the wolves on all sides of me. I force myself to breathe, to focus. 
My pulse drums in my ears, drowning out all rational thoughts. But I can't afford to panic. 
Just remember Cress, it's a test. But the low growls emitted by the wolves beg to differ.
I shuffle slightly to the left. The wolves immediately mimic my motion, moving with me. The black wolf snaps his jaws at me in warning. A sharp crack that sends goosebumps along my arms. 
I do my best to ignore it, refusing to flinch. They sense weakness and I can't be weak if I have a chance to win. 
With a sharp intake of breath, I make my move. I dart to the left, ducking under the snapping jaws of the first gray wolf. 
I slide on my knees and reach out to the dagger caked in mud. With one last stretch, I grasp the cold, mud caked hilt and wrench the dagger free with a wet, sucking sound.
I stand up and turn around just in time as the gray wolf launches himself at me. I dodge to the right, swiping the dagger at its paw. The smaller wolf howls in pain and stumbles into the pool of mud.
With one wolf down, distracted by the sticky mud pulling it in, I seize the chance and make a run for it. The forest's edge is within reach, but I'm not fast enough. 
Before I make it to the forest, the other, bigger gray wolf bounds into my path, landing with a thud that shakes the ground beneath me. Its lips curl back to reveal sharp, glistening teeth with saliva dripping from its jaw. 
It's now or never. I feint to the right, then lunge forward, slashing upward with the dagger. The blade cuts through fur and flesh, slicing a crimson line across its chest. 
It yelps in pain and snaps its teeth at my arm, barely missing my flesh by inches. I hit the ground hard, rolling quickly as instincts take over.
As I scramble to my feet, I swing the dagger again, catching the wolf's hind leg with a shallow cut. It stumbles, momentarily thrown off balance. I push myself to a standing position and head towards the forest.
Out of nowhere, the black wolf surges at me, knocking me to the side. I bring my arms up to protect myself as I fall hard and skid across the ground. I reach out and dig the dagger into the soil to stop mid roll. 
Panting, I lift the dagger out of the grass. I push myself into a standing position, the sting in my knees blazing from the rough scrape against the forest floor.
I brush off bits of dirt, grass and pine needles before facing the wolf. I clench my jaw and prepare myself for it to come at me.
The black wolf is faster than the others as it leaps at me. My eyes go wide as I dart to the side, sweeping my dagger across its back but miss. 
He twists his body midair to reach me, his claws raking through air. I stumble backwards and barely move out of the way. 
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the gray wolf with muddy paws heading my way. I return my attention back to the black wolf as its hot breath fans my back. I jump to the side in time as the gray wolf crashes into the black wolf. 
Enraged, the dark wolf throws the gray wolf to the side. Its trains its grey eyes at me as blood and saliva drips from its mouth, landing in a pool at its feet.  
I guess the wolves can't work together very well, probably because they are programmed as rogues. I'll have to use that to my benefit.
I head towards the forest, hoping to outrun them through the dense forest. Just as I reach the edge of the forest, the gray wolf steps out from the forest with a slight limp, baring its fangs. 
I turn around to find a way out and see the black wolf stalking towards me. I take a step backwards and they launch at me in unison. 
I react at the last moment and duck close to the floor, rolling away. I feel the brush of fur graze my skin and I look up just in time to see jaws barely missing my head.
I get up to my knees away from the wolves and am astonished to see the two wolves tussle with each other instead of going after me. Their anger at each from bumping into each other stopped them from coming at me momentarily.
I take that as my cue and run back into the forest, heading towards the stream. My knees burn with each step, but I force myself ahead. 
I try to navigate my way back, the darkening sky making it worse than before to see. At least in the clearing, I had the moon and stars to see.
The peacefulness of the forest doesn't last long as a chorus of howls rang out. Heavy footsteps follow behind, reminding me it's not over yet.

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