The Wolf leapt, his eyes wild with something Rebecca couldn't recognize. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out, instead she watched as the Wolf got closer and closer. She quickly hid her head in her cloak and felt as teeth took hold of her arm. Pain shot through her body and she began to kick out with her legs violently. She knew she must have hit something because she could no longer feel the sharp teeth in her flesh.
With as much strength as she could muster she pushed herself up and gasped as she lowered her hood. There, lying on the path, were dead wolves. Many of them killed by the axe of Peter, others by the hooves of the horse. Some slunk away through the darkness, others yelped in pain. But one, the one she knew would be alive, sat over the bodies of his fellow wolves. He searched the corpses, pain clouding his eyes.
A hand rested slowly on Rebecca's shoulder and she jumped. Peter steadied her and shook his head. "It is alright, Little Red." He whispered, guiding her towards the pathway. "We must go quickly." Rebecca nodded and took one more glance at the Wolf then began to walk quickly. They had almost gotten away, cloaked by the silent darkness that surrounded the wood once again, when a snarl broke through the eerie silence like a knife. Rebecca and Peter stopped in their tracks, their hearts pounding.
"Walk." Peter whispered. Rebecca nodded carefully, her brown eyes full of fear and tears that began to run down her face, cutting through the dirt that covered her skin. But she didn't walk, she ran. She ran as fast as her feet could carry her, only turning once to see what was happening. But she shouldn't have turned. Because there, lying bedraggled and torn, was Peter. And the Wolf stood over him, his teeth gleaming with blood. A tiny cry escaped her and she turned sharply, now running for her life.
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It seemed like the darkness was creeping up on her, like if she stopped she would be swallowed up. And this thought lingered in her mind as she ran. She had been running for who knew how long, but she knew she couldn't stop. Not yet. Every time her limbs seemed too tired to go on, the snarl of the Wolf entered her mind, driving her forward. Soon she felt as if the darkness had indeed swallowed her, for all she could feel was tingling and all she could see was blackness.
Was she dead? No, she couldn't be. She could still feel her heart pounding. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump…
The darkness lifted though and now she could see a white light, practically blinding her. Or maybe it wasn't… She couldn't quite tell anymore, everything was so confusing. A voice echoed in her mind as her body stopped tingling.
"Who is she?"
"Is she still alive?"
"She looks dead."
"She's not dead you idiot."
"No, she's breathing, see?"
She felt something poke her in the chest and coughed, her eyes opening barely as she put a hand over he heart. Gasping for air, she turned over and coughed again.
"See, she's alive."
"What's going on? What- is that a girl? Watch out, I'm coming through." Another voice entered the conversation. It was soft, like silk or velvet. Rebecca smiled. 'Yes.' She thought 'Like velvet'. She felt someone put a hand on her shoulder and shivered. With a sigh she opened her eyes; this time wide so she could see ho it was that was there.
A few faces looked at her with concerned frowns. She smiled and studied each of them. There were four, three of them very young and the other… Her age. He had curly brown hair with stunning green eyes. He smiled back at her. His hair, a rich color of bark, was gently caressed by the wind as he helped her sit up. She coughed again and then realized where she was.
"The Wolf!" She cried, trying to stand. The three younger boys backed away as she pushed herself to her feet. She wheeled around, trying to find out where she was. The trees here were much closer together, but she happened to be in a clearing. At the far end of the clearing sat a large log house. Smoke billowed from the chimney and a tiny fire burned beside the house. Rebecca knit her brows then turned to the older boy.
"Where am I?" He gave her a concerned look then turned to the other boys.
"Go check on supper." He said softly. The three exchanged glances then off they went. Rebecca watched them go but turned back to the boy as they disappeared into the cottage. "My name is Philip."
"Rebecca, or Red as my family calls me. Now please, where am I?" She asked as the two began to walk.
"You are in a forest, just north of a tiny village." He said, looked at his feet.
"Still? I'm still in the forest?" She kicked the ground then huffed angrily.
"My father should be back soon, he can probably take you out of the forest and to the village." Philip offered.
"Thank you, Philip." Remembering Peter she frowned. "What is your father's name?" Philip gave her a strange look then cleared his throat.
"Peter." Rebecca let a little cry escape her again. "What? What is wrong, Rebecca?" He put his hand on her shoulder as she turned away from him.
"I'm so sorry. But your father is dead."
"What? He's… He's dead?" Rebecca turned to face him again and nodded. "It's my entire fault. The Wolf was chasing me, and he tried to help but-"
"What wolf?" Philip cut her off. She swallowed and then hung her head.
"There was a wolf. And he was after me." She said quietly.
"Come." Philip took hold of her arm and led her towards his cabin. The two entered it to the smell of cooking meat. The smell reminded Rebecca how hungry she was and as if on cue, her stomach growled. Philip grabbed a gun off the wall and then turned to her. "We must stay here. It is not safe outside." He shut the door and locked it then turned to the three boys who were setting the table.
"Is she staying?"
"Where's father?"
"Go lock up the house." Philip commanded them. They exchanged fearful glances then did as he asked. Philip sighed then turned back to Rebecca. "Go eat, you must be hungry. You will stay here until it is safe."
"When will it be safe?" Rebecca asked, sitting herself at the table.
"I don't know."
Just then there was a knock at the cottage door. Philip wheeled around. "Who is it?" He yelled. There was no answer. One of the three boys suddenly burst into the room, his eyes wild with fear.
"There's a wolf outside! It's the wolf!"
