Axel ran. The pack of werewolves disregarded him entirely and focused only on the little boy that scrambled up the mountain. He
appeared to be moving slowly; tripping over ever rock, every root, every change in the terrain. Axle grabbed up a stone without breaking
stride and hurled it at the wolves; still they kept after the boy. Every second they got closer; the boy would never make it at the speed he
was running. How could he have been so careless? He had tried too soon after his last escape. /Stupid./
Axel flung another rock at the wolves and tried with every ounce of energy he had to get between the boy and the wolves. Sweat
poured down his face, back, and chest sending fire through the still open wounds from his last escape. His chest burned as his lungs fought
for air and every muscle cramped. He ran faster than ever before.
The boy fell. His foot had caught a root and he now lay on his face momentarily shocked by the blow. The lead wolf jumped. Axel
jumped. Blood filled his vision; he didn't know who's it was nor could he recognize the screams. He jerked forward and his face met the
dusty floor of his hut. Dust filled his lungs and he coughed violently. The taste of blood filled his mouth but he knew now it was his own.
/It was just a dream/ he thought.
"Nightmare?"
"Sterling?"
"What was that all about?"
For a moment Axel said nothing. His head filled with screams and his mind with that little boy so desperately trying to escape.
"Axel?"
"I won't let it happen."
"What?"
"No one else is going to get hurt on account of me. If I have to die so be it."
"Axel, you're talking crazy. It's going to be okay."
Axel looked at Sterling and an image of his wolf form came to mind. There was something different about it though, he wasn't just an
animal; Axel could see the human in his eyes. He relaxed back into his bed and stared up at the ceiling. "You're right," Axel said. "It's
gonna be fine."
