I sighed and walked through the thick brush. My pants were wet, but that was okay. I expected them to become wet. It's not like you're going to walk through the Mystic Ruins in the late evening and not come out wet. I pulled back one piece of a branch an I saw the old ruins, so I walked through and into the clearing. It was so peaceful, and so quiet. The air was still and it wasn't too humid out - which is a surprise for a place like this. I loved being out here, at the ruins. I liked looking at the sandy brown stones that had become darker with age and green with moss leading up to the doorway into the structure - which the entrance was carved into a snakes head, and the top of the head with the upper jaw created an over hang jutting out over the doorway. The doorway had no doors, but there was a square hole in the floor that you jumped down in. The explorers that were here a few months ago finally found the ruins, and one guy stupidly jumped down into the hole. It was about nineteen feet down, and I heard the guy who jumped broke his leg in four or five places when he landed. Goes to show you what happens to stupid people. Anyway, going up the stairs were two echidna statues that must've once unfolded. The one on the left side unfolded when a presence drew near, but the one on the right being bashed in on one side and broken did not. Above the doorway was another level of stones - like steps - and then a tall octagon-like stone formation jutted out from the top, somewhat like a spire which grew narrower closer to the top then expanded out again for a yard or two before the top. The sides of the octagon spire that faced north, east, west and south were narrower than the other four. That was due to long, rock-like snakes being painted on those sides. I think that was because they viewed Chaos' Perfect form as a snake. Truthfully I viewed Chaos' Perfect form as a water dragon.
You're probably wondering why I'm out here, aren't you? Well, I'm majoring in ancient history right now and for a project our professor gave us a "Choose-your-own-ancient-ruin-and-write-a-paper-on-it" deal. No one else picked this place so I did. I have already written my paper, I'm coming out here to collect some samples and do the coloring thing where you get a piece of paper and then color it with a black crayon or something, so whatever was behind the paper shows up on it. I heard a snap, like a twig being stepped on, in the bushes behind me and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I bolted without a second thought.
My feet pounded the ground as I sprinted past the giant stone structure to the clear opening behind it, which lead to the cliff. I could hear multiple hands... or feet... pounding along with mine, but they must've been bare because the sound was softer, more diluted. Still, I pressed on, and turned sharply to the left toward the river and the entrance to Eggman's old hideout. All of a sudden I felt a searing pain in my left thigh like something had just bitten down on it, and the teeth had sunk way into the flesh. I screamed, even though no one would hear my cry, and connected with the ground. The air got knocked out've me, but I managed to get a hand into a fist and swing at whatever was clamped on my leg. It connected with something cold and wet, which made the thing yelp and let go of me, so I rolled over and kicked it again. It backed away, and I could see what had attacked me.
A large, wet, black nose which was leaking blood started the muzzle of the thing, and was open to reveal an array of sharp, white teeth in which both the teeth and the lips around the muzzle were dark red with... my blood. The actual head was about as big as a beach ball with two golden eyes that were also big with dilated pupils that had narrowed. The ears were longer and pressed flat back against the head in a cruel manner. The head was supported by a thick neck which lead down to broad, also thick shoulders and forelegs with huge paws almost the size of dinner plates. The back, like the rest, was wide and firm. The hind legs were thick with muscle and the tail was long. The whole animal was draped with thick, long, dark brown fur. In other words, this was an over-rated huge as hell wolf which was bent on making me it's dinner.
The wolf shook its head again and turned its attention back to me. Growling, it lunged at me with maw open wide. I retracted my right foot and kicked out as hard as I could, which connected with the throat. It fell back, wheezed and whimpered while struggling to position itself to get up again. I took my chance and ran again.
I more like, 'hobbled' and got part way in the stream/river, and as close to the drop off from the cliff as I dared before I heard a snarl behind me. I turned somewhat to see the wolf up, lips curled back and running at me full paced, like it had gone ape-shit. I yipped and went to step back with my left leg, which when I transferred the weight it collapsed under me just as the wolf jumped and lunged. I landed on my back, the wind once again knocked out've me. So, the mess of fur sailed over me and due to it being distracted and trying to turn in mid-air, it landed funny. Being so close to the edge too, and having its forelegs crossed, it slid onto its side - and off the edge. I heard it half-snarl, half-scream on the way down. Full of rage and pain... Then a dull thud, with the sharp crack of breaking bones. I exhaled shakily. From the pain, the cold water, the loss of blood, or from the exhaustion - I will never know from either of these or any other condition as to why I passed out next.