Chapter 3: Wolves in the Woods

Lawrence struggled in the undergrowth of the forest. Low-hanging branches and other foilage constantly hit him and blocked his path, causing him to push them aside roughly or just go around them altogether. He stole a glance at Holo ahead, who navigated through the woods with relative ease. She dodged trees and jump over bushes with grace, as if she had lived here for years. She was like one of the animals that resided in these woods, or better yet, like a wolf.

It annoyed Lawrence a bit. He was tired and dripping with sweat at the hassle of trekking through the forest, while Holo was acting like she was having the time of her life. He couldn't blame her really. She had been holed up in that attic her whole life. It was only natural that she was having the time of her life outside of that house, even if it was in a dark scary forest.

"Hurry up Lawrence!" Holo called back, "What's taking you so long?"

"Sorry I'm not part wolf Holo!" Lawrence snapped, "It's kinda hard for me to get past all the foilage."

"Quit whining and come on." Holo replied and bounded further ahead, "By the way, you have not told me where we are going."

"To Ruvinheign."Lawrence answered as he swatted away an annoying insect from his face.

"I know of that place."Holo said, a hint of worry in her tone," My parents journeyed there all the time for church services."

"Yeah, and that worries you?"Lawrence asked, noticing the nervousness in her voice.

"Of course it does you buffon." Holo snapped," The church finds me I'll be burned at the stake cause they will think I'm some kind of demon."

"Well then you can just stay in the woods by yourself then. I'll be better off than having you insult me!" Lawrence yelled, making Holo stop in her tracks ahead of him. He passed her without even a second glance.

Suddenly he felt a hand grab ahold of his arm. The warm touch made him pause and just like that his anger was gone. Lawrence instantly felt bad for yelling at Holo.

"I'm sorry Lawrence."Holo choked, he turned to see she was almost near tears,"Please don't leave me. You're all that I have now. I'm just scared that the church will find me..."

Lawrence pulled her into him, hugging her tightly. Her body stiffened, due to shock. He thought for a second she would push him away, but instead she put her own arms behind him and squeezed him tightly. For awhile no one spoke, they both just enjoyed the embrace.

Finally, Lawrence borke the silence,"Holo I'll never leave you. I'm sorry I yelled at 's just I heard of a merchant in Ruvinheign who might take me in as an apprentice."

"Why do you want to be a merchant?" Hollo said,stepping away from him and ending the hug.

"It's kinda my dream. You can travel the lands and meet alot of people." Lawrence replied,"Besides earning money will help us out."

"Ok...I'll go with you to the city." Holo said, fear still in her voice.

"Holo I promise I will protect you. I won't let the church or anyone else hurt you."Lawrence said.

"Why are you sticking with me? Why do you want to protect me?"Holo asked.

"Because...I don't want to be alone anymore either."Lawrence whispered, his eyes downcast.

Just then a series of howls rang out through the woods. Lawrence jumped and Holo's ears twitched. She suddenly cast her eyes around them.

"What's going on?" Lawrence asked.

"Looks like we are in a wolf pack's territory, and they don't like it."Holo said.

"You can understand them!"Lawrence said, shocked.

"Half-wolf remember." Holo replied with a smile, despite the fact that they could be in danger, "We need to go...NOW!"

With that,she grabbed his hand and lead him through the woods. They ran as fast as they could. The howls and cries of the wolves were getting closer. The two jumped over logs and zigzagged through the trees trying to lose their pursuers, but they both could tell they were getting closer.

They entered a clearing, where no trees grew. There was just grass. Lawrence automatically didn't like it. They were exposed. Suddenly wolves bursted into the clearing from all sides. Looks like the wolf pack knew that too. They surrounded the two until both Holo and Lawrence were back-to-back, with wolves on all sides of them.

"Holo,"Lawrence stuttered,"I'll try to hold them off while you try to escape."

"No Lawrence." Holo replied,"You're suppose to protect me in the city, but out here I'll protect you."

Holo then stepped away from Lawrence and towards the nearest wolf. The wolf snarled and Holo snarled right back. From the expression on the wolf's face he was surprised at this. Holo and the wolf suddenly starting talking to each other, although Lawrence could not understand a word. Their conversation was in snarls, growls, and other animalistic noises.

After awhile the wolves backed off and the pack went to the edge of the clearing. They then just sat around, looking at them, as if they were waiting.

"Holo what's going on?"Lawrence asked.

"I talked to that wolf, he was the alpha-male of the pack."Holo answered, " I told him we were just passing through and needed to reach the city. He said he would lead us to the edge of the forest near the place."

"You sure they won't eat us?"Lawrence said, casting glances at the pack.

"Nah,"Holo replied, grinning,"I'm too charming to eat and you're too skinny. It wouldn't be worth the trouble to eat you."

Holo then busted out in laughter and Lawrence nervously laughed with her. She took his hand in hers once more and lead her to the awaiting wolf pack. With a nod to the alpha male the wolves set off, with Holo and Lawrence following behind.