Chapter 4: Low Growl

As I walked back through the forest, with the leaves crunching under the pressure of my boots, I knew my dad would want a good explanation as to why I was late. The noise of the stream distracted me. I kneeled down and ran my fingers through the clear, icy water. In the distance a wolf howled. The sudden noise made me jump greatly. I breathed a small gasp and stood up quickly giving my self a head rush. Scared from the noise, I ran away from the stream, desperately trying to escape from the unlit forest. As I ran further out of the wood, I helplessly scrambled around looking twigs and sticks.

Once I was out of darkness and into light, I began to calm down and breathe more evenly. I trudged back toward the hillside and down a muddy path. The house entered my path and with not nearly enough wood for a fire, I opened the door.
"Carmine!" my mothers voice called sounding full of relief. She ran from the kitchen door and threw her arms around me "Ah, I'm so glad your ok, I've been worried sick! Where have you been?"
Mums voice was now slightly angry.
"I… I…," I stuttered for a good excuse. Mum wouldn't take, me running into a fire to save a strangers girl, lightly "I got lost!"

"Carmine, you're back!" Beth's little voice shouted. I felt her gentle arms wrap round me.

"I don't know what your fathers going to say, Carm, you haven't even got any fire wood!"

"I've got a little bit!" I protest "anyway where's Harry or Ryan?"

"Upstairs, they came back soon after you left, I'm surprised you didn't see them." mum went back into the kitchen, putting her short brown hair into a bun.

The next day, as soon as I woke up I looked out the window. It was still dark yet I managed to see everything. Between the trees, I saw a grey and white coloured figure move. The dark, mysterious eyes glared at me, for what felt like days. As I moved away from the window, I grabbed my shoes and hobbled around putting them on. Once I was back on two feet, I slowly and quietly walked out of my bedroom door. I crept quietly down the stairs, and clicked the door open, revealing the whole night sky. The sun was visible from over the hills. The light cast shadows of figures that weren't there. I quickly grabbed my red coat that was hanging off a peg and ran out the door. As I ran I zipped up my coat. The laces of my shoes that were once white were now becoming a brown and grey colour. My feet, as I stepped, formed muddy puddles that splashed my jeans with mud droplets. The dark, thick trees of the forest soon surrounded me. Their roots trying to trip me up as my feet carried my body over them. The figures eyes still appeared in my head and they felt as if they were still watching me. My pace slowed and I gasped for breath. I leaned against a near by tree for support. A low growl behind me made me stop. Stop breathing. Stop any muscle in my body from moving an inch.
"Oh god." I whispered seeing my breath floating in front of me. Another growl from behind me, louder this time, rang in my ears. I made my left foot turn. Then my right foot. I twisted my waist slowly, barely breathing. Then I turned my head and my eyes met the gaze of a tall wolf. His fur was matted and many different shades of grey. One of his sharp nailed paws stepped forward, pushing away a small rock from his path.