Chapter Nine

Carly and the group pushed on through the thickening forest. Carly’s feet throbbed with pain, but she couldn’t afford to stop. They had been walking all day . The small boy beside her held her hand tightly, his fear clear in his trembling grip.

The trees around them grew closer together, Carly’s heart raced, and the snap of a twig sent a chill down her spine. The forest felt alive, almost as if it were watching them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

“We need to rest,” one of the warriors whispered, 

Carly shook her head firmly. “We can’t stop. We’re too close to safety now.” She wasn’t sure exactly where they were headed, but she knew stopping now could mean their deaths. They couldn’t take that risk.

The warrior didn’t argue. He knew Carly was right. They had all seen the danger lurking in the forest. Andrew’s pack was relentless, hunting them like prey, and they wouldn’t stop until every one of them was caught.

Carly’s breath misted in the air, and she pulled the boy closer, trying to keep him warm. The silence around them felt heavy, almost suffocating, and Carly’s nerves were on edge.

A sudden, loud crack echoed through the trees, freezing Carly in place. The warriors instantly drew their weapons, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. Carly held her breath, her heart hammering in her chest.

A shadow flickered at the edge of her vision, and she spun around, gripping the boy’s hand even tighter. The shadow darted between the trees, too fast for her to follow.

“There’s something out there,” Carly whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

The lead warrior nodded grimly. “Stay close and be ready to run.”

They moved forward, trying to be as quiet as possible. Carly’s senses were on high alert, every sound amplified in the silence. The shadows seemed to be closing in, surrounding them.

Suddenly, a figure stepped out from behind a tree, blocking their path. Carly’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized the face in front of her.

It was Andrew.

He stood tall, his eyes gleaming with power as he looked at the group. “Going somewhere?” he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Carly’s blood ran cold. They were trapped. There was no way they could fight Andrew and his pack in the dark, especially not in their exhausted state.

Andrew took a step forward, and Carly instinctively stepped back, pulling the boy behind her. The warriors moved to protect them, forming a circle, but Carly knew it was hopeless. They were outnumbered and outmatched.

“Give up now, and I might let some of you live,” Andrew taunted, his gaze locked on Carly.

Carly swallowed hard, her mind racing for a solution. She couldn’t let him take them, but what could she do? They were surrounded with no way out.

The boy beside her suddenly stepped forward, his small body trembling with fear but filled with determination. “Leave us alone!” he shouted, his voice breaking.

Andrew’s expression darkened, and he let out a low growl. “You dare to challenge me, boy?”

Before Carly could react, Andrew lunged forward, his hand reaching out to grab the boy. But just as he was about to seize him, a bright light burst from the boy’s hand, sending Andrew flying backward.

Carly gasped in shock, her eyes wide as she watched the light surround Andrew, his body shaking as he tried to fight it off. The warriors stood frozen, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Andrew let out a howl of pain as the light grew brighter, and for a moment, Carly thought he might be defeated. But then, just as quickly as it had started, the light vanished, and Andrew slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.

Carly didn’t hesitate. “Run!” she screamed, grabbing the boy’s hand and sprinting into the forest. The others followed, their feet pounding the ground as they fled deeper into the woods.

They ran until they could run no more, finally collapsing in a small clearing. Carly’s heart was racing, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The boy was shaking beside her, his eyes wide with fear.

“What just happened?” one of the warriors asked, his voice shaking.

Carly shook her head, still trying to make sense of it. “I don’t know,” she whispered, “but whatever it was, it saved us.”

She tried to come up with a plan. They needed to find a safe place and figure out their next move. But where could they go? How would they get there without being caught?

The boy suddenly spoke up, his voice shaky. “There’s a cave nearby,” he said. “My parents used to take me there when I was little. It’s hidden and safe.”

Carly looked at him, hope sparking in her chest. “Can you lead us there?”

The boy nodded, though he still looked scared. “I think so.”

The warriors exchanged uncertain glances, but what choice did they have? It was the best option they had.

“Alright,” Carly said, her voice firm. “We’ll leave at first light.”

They settled in for the night, though sleep was hard to come by. Carly lay awake, her mind replaying the events of the night over and over, unable to shake the feeling that they were being watched.

When morning came, they set off again, following the boy’s lead. The forest seemed even more ominous in the daylight, But Mark was determined, and Carly admired his bravery.

After hours of walking, they finally reached the cave. It was hidden behind thick vines, almost impossible to see unless you knew where to look. Carly breathed a sigh of relief as they ducked inside, the cool darkness a welcome escape from the heat outside.

But their relief was short-lived.they settled in, a low growl echoed from the depths of the cave, freezing them in their tracks. Carly’s heart skipped a beat as she realized they weren’t alone.

From the darkness, . Carly’s blood ran cold as she recognized the creature—a rogue werewolf, its fur matted, its eyes filled with madness.

The warriors drew their weapons, but Carly knew it wouldn’t be enough. The rogue was too strong, too fast. And they were trapped.

The rogue let out a deafening roar and lunged at them, its claws flashing in the dim light. Carly barely had time to react as the creature charged toward her, its jaws snapping inches from her face.

Time seemed to slow as Carly’s mind raced, searching for a way out. But there was none. They were cornered, and there was no escape.

Just as all hope seems lost, Mark stepped forward again, his eyes glowing with that same golden light. Carly watched in awe as the light enveloped the rogue, forcing it back.

 Mark was struggling. Carly could see the strain on his face, the way his small body shook with the effort. He wouldn’t be able to hold the rogue off for long.

“Help him!” Carly shouted to the warriors, her voice filled with urgency.

The warriors attacked the rogue with everything they had, but the creature fought back with a terrifying fury.

Carly felt her heart sink as she watched the battle unfold. They were losing. The boy was weakening, and the rogue was getting closer.

Then, just when it seemed like all hope was lost, the boy let out a scream, and the light flared brighter than ever before. The rogue was thrown back with such force that it slammed into the wall with a sickening crunch.

And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the light vanished, and Mark collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Carly rushed to his side, her heart pounding. “Wake up!” she cried, shaking him gently. But Mark didn’t respond, his small body limp.

One of the warriors checked Mark’s pulse. “He’s alive,” the warrior said, relief in his voice. “But he’s weak. He needs rest.”