An
explosive sensation from my chest dragged me coughing and spluttering
from the darkness.
As
I coughed I felt a thick, abrasive cloud bursting into my mouth
trying to enter my throat. I closed my mouth hard but my lungs
continued to fight, air seeking whichever exit it could find, surging
up the back of my nose... bile followed. Jaw relenting I powerfully
wretched, sour, stinging liquid belched up my throat and out my
mouth, meeting with twin streams that painfully spat from my
nostrils. My stomach kicked like an enraged mule cramping seven or
eight times, eventually releasing its grip on my aching abdomen once
empty and satisfied. My eyes were drowned in thick, gelatinous tears
that swam across my vision like jellyfish. I could feel them stinging
as my eyelids tried to sweep them clear, grains of what felt like
sand scratching across my pupils every time I tried to blink: it hurt
so much they might as well have been rocks.
I
tried to pull up my hand to wipe them but was unable to do so, only
then realising that I was lying face down on the ground with my arms
behind my back, head half-submerged in a viscous pool of my own
vomit. I rolled onto my side, my limbs those of an abandoned
marionette. Instructions clattered about my brain like clothes in a
washing machine, becoming twisted and entangled. It took considerable
concentration to engage my numb mind into wrenching my arms from
behind my back. I propped myself up on one. It sent a tsunami of pins
and needles up towards my shoulder reminding my brain that my
extremities still existed. Emboldened, my left arm followed the right
and I managed to pull myself onto my knees. In celebration my stomach
once again retched and I heaved hard, the force almost threatening to
snap my spine like a cheap, plastic ruler. Thankfully this time only
a cloud of hot breath left my mouth, mixing with the steam rising
from the puddle of puke between my hands.
I
gently wiped at my aching eyes using my sleeve, pulling it away the
material was covered in dark soil, my eyelids machine gunning in
attempt to remove the remainder. Looking towards the ground I
realised where it came from. I was outside. I could tell by the
bitter cold of the night that was quickly pervading through my cloudy
consciousness, the way a freezing shower wakes you in the morning.
Though dark, the moon above threw spears of candescence through the
trees above, impaling the ground around me. As my brains basic
survival instinct abated I slowly become more aware and was fully
able to take in my surroundings. I was in a forest... somewhere, and
I had come to rest at the base of a large hill underneath an earthen
overhang. There was no foliage on the ground and my vomit was fast
being absorbed by the light crumbly dirt I must have breathed in when
unconscious.
Unconscious!?
Why the fuck was I unconscious in a forest!?
The
mere thought caused my brain to spin like a weather vane in a storm,
and a wave of nausea ushered the question to the back of my head. I
wiggled my toes making sure my lower limbs were still attached, and
attempted to pull one leg up from the ground. Leaning on my knee I
eventually dragged my body up, resting against the inside of the
overhang like a discarded mannequin, my pounding lungs pushing out
the acidic stench of bile from the back of my nose. Control was
eventually returning but along with it came the penetrating cold.
Blooms of hot breath parachuted from my mouth into the air and my
arms began to vibrate as the chill kneaded its way into my muscles.
It was no wonder I was freezing, drawing my chin to my chest I could
see I was only wearing a long sleeved t-shirt and a pair of dirty
ripped jeans. A beard of dried, hard blood arrowed down the front of
my chest and I could see that the rear of my jeans had ripped
exposing my boxers, the buttocks hanging down the back of my legs
like a lazy blue tongue.
Blood!?
With
uncoordinated fervour my hands poured over my body looking for the
cause. My fingers became more frantic the higher they climbed, a
sharp nauseating pain bursting from my temple eventually answering
their frenetic pleas. Although no longer bleeding the gash felt deep.
The crusty, furled edges sent an explosion of agonising sparks across
the back of my vision in reply to my clumsy fingers. I traced the dry
crimson trail through my matted hair, down my face and under my chin
to where it cemented the neck of my t-shirt to my skin. The blood
chipped and flaked between my fingers like decades old paint. I felt
relieved... better to wake up covered in your own blood than someone
else's.
"Ok.
You're alone in the woods, you're hurt but you can move. Think
James... how did you get here?"
Although
my voice was a hoarse caricature of the sound I expected, it helped
settle my nerves somewhat. I couldn't find it minutes before but
the cut on my head now sent attention seeking waves of pain across my
scalp, it wouldn't let me forget about it again. Using my elbows I
pushed off from the dirt wall and steadied myself, standing to my
full height. Walking out from under the overhang onto forest floor I
could feel the light rain begin to plant hundreds of butterfly kisses
across my face. I angled my head back, my eyelids fluttering like
beckoning hands in an attempt to rinse my burning eyes. A pleasant
earthy scent climbed from the damp ground, I took in a deep breath
chasing away the last of the acerbic taste in my throat. I started to
feel a little more positive about my situation, whatever had
happened, whatever had tried to kill me had failed. The rain pattered
on the leaves like thousands of tiny hands clapping in applause. Now
I just had to find a way home.
In
an effort to gauge my geography I walked away the mound towering
above me in an effort to survey its height. At around 10ft back I
still couldn't see the crest; this meant it was more than likely
one of the large three hills that shadowed our small town like
sleeping colossi. Picturing myself standing in my parent's garden I
imagined the thick wood that rolled form the back of one of the hills
like a flowing, green wedding train. If I was right all I had to do
was walk directly away from the base of the prominence and I should
eventually meet the main road that braced the town against the
forest.
"Come
on. You can do this, get your arse in gear and you'll be home in no
time."
I
crouched and wrapped the torn leg of my jeans around my shin, then
tucked the base of the ruined trousers into my socks. This part of
the forest was furthest from the town and shaded by the steep hill
above the foliage was thick. Every shade of green and brown tugged at
my aching legs as I made my way through the dense umbrage. As I
walked I kept myself busy by trying to piece together my shattered
memories. The aching in my head acted as a blinding pendulum knocking
apart any semblance of order as soon as it had formed. I leaned
against a wide tree, my hands sinking into the thick moss painted
across the trunk like a green lather. I tore some from the bark and
squeezed the water into my hands drinking as much as I dared.
As
if in acknowledgment of the hydration my headache abated for a moment
and the memory of being sat at home with my parents galloped into my
mind's eye.
"Ok,
so I was home with Mum & Dad. Then what?"
In
reply a twig snapped somewhere distance, the noise ping-ponging
throughout the trees around me. It sounded exactly like the clich
tropes that littered the vacuous horror films I would watch alone
late at night. Being a pragmatist I quickly ignored it as some
harmless animal. My pragmatism soon deserted me as a threatening
crescendo of breaking branches and tearing leaves countered my
bravery. Whatever was making the noise was large, although it didn't
seem to be coming towards me. I was completely frozen, my fists
pulled up towards my face like some terrified praying mantis. A hush
of silence diffused through the rain once more. Barks of breath
forced apart my lips as my heart screamed against the inside of my
chest like some terrified metronome. My cold fingers chilled useless
by the night air curled further into my palms hiding from the forest,
for a moment I envied them. I stood bolt upright, unsure of what to
do. Another loud crack gave me impetus and I whirled around the tree
running blindly in the direction I prayed home would be.
The
many wooden hands of the forest tugged and grabbed at my body,
slowing me down, toying with me as I ran through the trees. I had no
idea if I was being followed, the wood loudly complaining as I kicked
and burst my way through the latticework of vegetation that crowded
my feet. The torn leg of my jeans had come untied and flourished
behind like a wind-sock as I ran. The undergrowth eased into a
clearing, the noise underfoot softening for a moment. I knew then
that I still wasn't alone. I could hear it, its massive form
pounding through the trees to my left. The heavy thud of its feet
meeting the ground belittled my panicked steps, the pause between the
impacts indicating a long, powerful stride. Knowing this unseen beast
could overrun me at any second, my legs started moving faster
underneath me, my knees jarring against every stride. The edge of the
clearing was rapidly approaching and I tried to spot a gap between
the trees in an effort to keep up the pace, although the dwindling
co-ordination in my movement and burning ache in my muscles told me I
wouldn't last long.
I
aimed for a thin gap between two tall pines and twisting my shoulders
managed to ease between the tall organic buttresses. The trees once
again towered over me, the canopy high above feeling more like a
prison than a shielding presence. The aching in my legs had reached
unbearable levels and the muscles nullified the pleading of my head
slowly coming to a clumsy halt. I fell to my knees, stretched eyes
darting between the trees looking for any sign that the creature that
was stalking me. My lips had furled up into my gums and I whimpered
into the night air through my gritted teeth. I tried in vain to keep
quiet but my aching lungs loudly cried, their staccato like wheezing
ignorant of my terror. I buried my face I my arm, eyes like taught
cellophane swept between the trees, propelled by dread. There was
nothing: no crashing, no heavy footsteps, just the rustle of wind and
the gentle drumming of rain.
I
stayed still on my knees for some time until the rain ceased and the
full moon once again revealed itself between stygian clouds. It
glazed the wood in a soft ethereal haze and a light fog rose from the
dense scrub surrounding me. I could feel my knees slowly sinking into
the ground, rainwater seeping into my jeans. My eyes had scoured
trees for some time, searching the dark wood that loomed around as if
peering through the pillars of some gigantic, threatening barcode.
Still nothing moved or made any noise. It was doubtful I had managed
to lose whatever had given chase. I hoped I had maybe scared it off
with the commotion, or maybe it had gotten bored, or-a sadistic
corner of my psyche interjected-it was still there... watching.
"Fuck."
Although
whispered the curse didn't lose any of its distress.
I
couldn't stay here until morning; I knew I had to make a move. I
looked toward the sky for the hill, but it was hidden by a
combination of the tall trees and raven sky. This wasn't the Amazon
however and I knew that I would eventually break cover, unless I was
going round in circles. I blew a few hot breathes into my cupped,
torpid hands then slowly pushed myself from the forest floor. My legs
quivered as I stood threatening to collapse; steeling myself I locked
them straight until the shaking subsided. Ahead I could see a thin
animal trail that continued through the trees in the approximate
direction I had been headed. This would be as good a route as any,
the going would be a little easier and in my current state it was
unlikely I would be hurdling any bushes.
As
I took my first step an enormous growl detonated across my right
shoulder, the force of the frightening roar pushing me forward. I
could feel the heat of it blast against the back of my neck, the
fingers of its fetid stench curling round my head, flecks of saliva
landing on my skin echoing the earlier rain. My face distorted by
fear screamed a barrage of vowels into the night air. The beast
snorted in reply and I felt its breath on the back of my head. I
began to cry loudly, pleading with it, too scared to turn around.
Even though it was behind me I could feel its enormity, the sound of
it breathing a deep, resonating rumble that caused my very soul to
tremor with horror. I felt it sniff me, each snort louder than the
bark of a dog. I closed my eyes tightly, tears of fear running down
my face frozen as if in Rigor Mortis.
In
that moment I imagined the nature documentaries on the African Plains
I had seen. I remembered how, after a Cheetah had chase down an
Impala and held it by its throat, the small deer seemed content with
its fate and surrendered itself to the food chain without further
struggle. I always thought it odd how any organism could just meekly
accept death, and here I was, too petrified to even turn around.
The
sentiment evaporated as another growl burst from behind me, this time
over my left shoulder leaving my ear ringing like an alarm. I
squeezed my eyes tighter, readying myself for my fate. I felt contact
as it hit my back hard and I stumbled forwards landing once more on
the forest floor, the vegetation cushioning my fall. I braced myself
but an attack didn't come. I scrambled up onto my hands and knees
one arm raised in an effort to placate the creature. I could feel it
pacing behind, snorting into the cold air as if agitated. It roared
at me once more, this time a shorter disciplined sound as if trying
to order me to my feet. It roared again, now demanding... impatient.
I clumsily pulled myself up, still holding a feeble arm out behind
me, mind cartwheeling in confusion. The beast bumped me again, hard
still but not enough to send me sprawling onto the ground.
"WHAT!?
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME! KILL ME THEN! KILL ME FOR FUCKS
SAKE!!!"
Emboldened
by the creature's hesitation I tried to half turn towards it, in
response it pushed me hard on my back with what felt like two strong
arms. I realised then it wanted me to walk and was guiding me further
into the wood, away from the direction I was originally heading. Mind
still drowning in fear I hobbled on. The beast seemed content and
followed a few feet behind, its menacing presence electrifying the
air around me with a sense of dread. As we walked my mind rifled
through a thousand possibilities. This was clearly some kind of
beast, but not an animal. It couldn't be a bear as I sensed it had
intelligence, but was too large to be a human. I tried to talk to it,
reason to it as I walked, back turned as it deliberately followed in
my wake like some murderous shadow. It stayed silent however only
growling if I started veering of the path it had chosen.
As
I walked the moon's ghostly light began to fade as it was crowded
by heavy granite clouds. The forest once again erupted in an
orchestra of rainfall as I walked ahead of my tormentor, as if being
led to the gallows. As the rain grew in intensity it teased pinpricks
of pain, moistening the many cuts that decorated my body. A
disgustingly familiar scent pervaded my nostrils... wet dog? What the
fuck was this thing?
"What
the fuck are you!?"
The
reply was a hard blow to my back and I felt my t-shirt tear as it was
caught by inexorable claws I could sense, but not see. Exhausted I
rested on a tree again pushing my arm out behind me in supplication,
still not daring to look over my shoulder.
"I...
I need to rest. P-Please I'm hurt."
The
creature snorted and growled lightly but didn't approach closer. I
took this as an acknowledgement and pushed my forehead against the
bark sheltering my face from the heavy downpour. Through the hissing
rain I heard a sound as a flock seagulls taking off, it took a second
but I then realised that this thing
was
shaking itself like a wet dog. The familiar damp smell enveloped me
again and I turned my head away from it.
About
10ft beyond me was a ridge; it must have been quite steep as I could
see the canopies of the trees below propped up by slender trunks that
disappeared far below. As I watched luminescent fingers slid up the
neck of one of these trees, gaining in brightness as it caressed its
way towards the crown of leaves at its top. It was joined by more
facsimiles that climbed the surrounding trees bathing then in a
brilliant artificial light, turning the forest into a white picket
fence. In a split second it was gone returning the forest to its
earthy hue.
Car
headlights!
Below
the ridge must be a road. I couldn't hear through the sizzling
percussion of the rain but I was sure of it. I didn't even know if
the ridge led to a slope, or was a drop-off. But in that moment I
knew I had only one choice. This thing was going to kill me, of that
I was sure. I knew I didn't have much strength remaining; the
adrenalin that had driven me through fear was wearing thin. The now
familiar growl came again from behind me.
Without
thinking I launched myself towards the hidden verge using the tree as
leverage, half stumbling as its broken edge veered towards me like a
crooked smile. The beast exploded through the bushes behind me as I
landed hard against my knees on the ledge, my forward momentum
sending me careering head first onto a greasy slope. Landing on my
chest and sliding fast I twisted my body like a falling cat in an
effort turn myself round. Muddy rainwater joined in my escape
sloshing over me, lubricating the path ahead. Thickets and bushes
moonlighted as lacerating speed-bumps, scoring my face and jealously
clinging to my clothes as I cut a swathe down the hill like a human
torpedo. A large tree loomed ahead, I tried rolling onto my side to
avoid it but the torrent carrying me dragged my legs around
threatening to send me into it horizontally. I tried pulling my legs
up to my chest, the immovable trunk catching my ankle sending me into
an awkward spin like a hockey puck. I came to a violent stop,
plunging into a freezing cold stream that waited at the base of the
hill. The tearing pain in my ankle used my bones as a conductor,
travelling my body, agonisingly clawing at the roots of my teeth.
Pulling myself from the water I tried putting weight on it, my leg
collapsed submerging me once more. I crawled from the brook on my
elbows like a mudskipper, scuttling up the embankment that lined the
ditch. Pulling myself over its lip my hands met the rough,
manufactured touch of tarmac.
The
road!
I
continued to drag myself, through the pools of surface water that lay
across the bitumen, toward the white centre markings as if they were
a finish line. Constantly I looked over my shoulder for the creature
that had haunted me. It hadn't followed down the steep slope but if
it found another way down there was nothing else I could do. Twin
glowing eyes ahead shone at me from the distance. As they grew larger
they were accompanied by the growing sound of a car engine, the
man-made growl an exhilarating tonic to the one that had plagued me
for so long. I pulled myself to my knees and held my arms high in the
air, praying the driver would see me in time. The powerful beams cut
through the rain in front of me, suspending the drops as if
weightless diamonds. Mercifully the driver had his lights on
full-beam and he spotted me early. The engine's baritone voice
changed in scale as the driver and his Range Rover warily stopped
directly ahead, full-beams spotlighting me as if on stage. He opened
his door, a warning noise from inside the expensive cockpit echoed
across the road pleading with him to get back in the vehicle.
"Boy,
why the fuck are you in the middle of th... oh Jesus Christ! Are you
OK son?" As he Approached his body cleaved apart the thick light
sending it scattering into the night.
"I..
I can't get up. I think... uh, my ankle is broken. You have to help
me, I... there's something hunting me. Please, you have to help me
get away."
"My
God boy, you look like shit. Have you been hit by a car?"
He
put my arm over his shoulder and pulled me up onto my working leg
with ease. He was fairly well built and smelled of Cigar smoke and
expensive aftershave. I tried to reply but my exhausted brain would
only give me the words I knew were important.
"We're
in danger... something is... something is in the woods."
He
took me round the open door, perching me on the driver's seat, my
injured leg dangling meekly in the rain. He pulled a mobile phone out
from inside the door compartment.
"I'm
going to phone an ambulance boy... and the police. Don't worry, I'm
sure they'll know what to do. Are you from round here? Are you from
Wensley boy? What's your name now?" He spoke loudly, enunciating
every syllable as if I was deaf.
"No...
we need to go. Please." I
started to cry.
"No
boy, you've been attacked. There's a town 5 miles up the road,
they'll be here in no time. You just close your eyes, you're safe
now." Ignoring me he started dialling.
"Not
safe... please."
"Hello,
is this emergency services? Ah good now, listen I've come across an
injured lad on Kingsbury road about two miles from Wensley. He's
disorientated and he's pretty badly beaten. I think he has a broken
ankle and he's covered in cuts and bruises. No I don't know who
he...."
His
sentence was cut short by an incredible howl that echoed across the
road, completely enveloping us both, its keening a reflection of
pure, animalistic fury. It ricocheted throughout the trees
surrounding us like a laser in a hall of mirrors. The man just
starred for a moment, the phone hovering far from his ear, mouth
slack.
"Sir...
Sir are you still there?" A disembodied voice drifted from the
phoned that glowed softly in his hand.
"Yes,
I am. Sorry - are you good to send someone quickly? Great I'll
wait with the boy until the ambulance gets here." without looking
he pushed a button on the top and silently put the device into his
pocket.
"What
was that noise boy?"
"I
told you, there something in the trees. We need to go."
"Yeah?
Well that sounded like a wolf, there's no wolves round these
parts."
"Please...
just go!"
"No
son! I'm not going anywhere with you in that state. If it is a wolf
it won't come anywhere near the road, and if it does... well." He
moved passed me to the boot of the 4X4, opening it he pulled out a 12
gauge shotgun from underneath a pile of dead pheasants. "This will
give it something to think about."
"It's
not a wolf, it's something bigger... it's
smart."
"Boy,
there are not many animals on this great island of ours that I
haven't kill-THWAAAAAAAAK!"
A
flash of white exploded from the darkness hitting the driver against
the 4X4 so hard I felt the vehicle lift up on two wheels. The crunch
of crash and flexing of metal followed as it settled back on its
suspension. Steadying myself against the rocking door-frame I looked
to where the man was standing.
In
his place was a gigantic, white wolf.
It
was Humanoid in shape framed by gigantic shoulders, anchored by long,
powerful arms that pinned the driver to the car by his shoulders. It
was easily seven feet or so. Its huge head stooped, burying its face
in the man's throat, biting and shaking the way a dog plays with a
toy. The man looked straight at me, eyes pleading, his mouth locked
in a silent scream, words unable to escape from the widening tear in
his neck. A colossal handreached over his face, so large it covered
his entire head like a hockey mask. It violently snapped his head to
the side; a grinding, crunching noise followed releasing a thick
spray of arterial blood over the cars pearlescent body work. His body
was dragged down the side of the vehicle onto the road leaving a
thick trail of steaming blood that shined in the cold air like
lacquer. The beast settled on top of him, its triple-jointed legs
forcing its powerful maw into its prey, ripping the man's torso to
shreds in a brutal frenzy.
I
hadn't moved an inch, knowing that any second the creature could
turn around. I spotted the shotgun lying on the road half-hidden
under the car. The creature writhed over the man, not feeding, but in
an effort to completely destroy the body in a primeval fury. With its
attention taken I slipped off the seat onto my good leg, and using
the doorway for support slowly bent down picking up the heavy weapon.
I had never fired a gun in my life, and if it wasn't loaded I
wouldn't have a hope. I did at least know to cock it and pulled
back the mechanism, the gun softly exposing my intentions with a
metallic click, the noise sounding like a firework in my hand.
The
creature immediately stopped its tearing, quickly swivelling on its
powerful hind legs towards me. I was almost in awe of it. Its huge
head was coated in thick, velveteen, alabaster fur that merged into a
scarlet mask of blood painted around its enormous mouth. Behind its
black-rimmed lips lay vicious, pink gums brandishing monstrous teeth,
gleaming like ivory daggers-as white as the driver's exposed bone
lying at its feet. It began to growl, its red-soaked snout wrinkled
behind a wide, black nose sending twin jets of steam into the air as
we locked eyes. Those huge, green eyes, almost human purveyed a
frightening intelligence as they searched across my frozen face. It
glanced at the gun in my hand, impotent against the might of the
creature, and its growling intensified.
I
tried to push myself back up onto the driver's seat, but I was too
weak and the seat too high. The beast rounded on me, its huge hand
grabbing the top of the driver's door, the window shattering in
fright under the long claws. Its other hand rested against the car
roof, it slowly bent on his haunches until its huge green eyes were
level with mine. Waves of Its hot breath blasted against my face,
carrying with it a foul rotten stench. I had no more adrenaline, no
more fight. I began to cry... not wail, but softly sob. I cried in
pity at my own confusion, cried for the torn man that now lay at my
feet and I cried that I would never see my parents again. My mind was
broken, the fear that every heavy breath the creature took would be a
comma before my grisly end.
As
I sobbed I felt the car slightly move on its suspension and realised
the creature was no longer leaning over me, having moved back a foot
or so. The growl had ceased and the eyes had softened, ears pinned
back like a submissive dog.
This
made no sense, why was it hesitating again?
I
wiped the thick tears away from my face with the back of a trembling
hand and looked at the beast. It softly held my gaze, the thick mask
of blood the only remnants of the fury that had existed only moments
ago. It slowly pushed out its arm, huge knots of muscle rippled under
the light fur-covered skin. My terror-fatigued eyes followed the
gilt-edged claws as they approached my face. The heel of the beast's
hand rested under my eye smoothing across my skin, as if it was
wiping away tears. Its other hand then came around my shoulders as it
moved towards me. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, expecting
this sick game to end in agony as the creature regained its
bloodlust. The hand on my cheek moved behind my head pushing my face
into its chest, burying my face between the thick, damp smelling fur
on its chest that prickled against my cheeks like wicker. As its arm
rhythmically rubbed my back it dawned on me that this beast, this
fucking thing
was
embracing me, consoling me.
My
head rocked back and forward as its powerful chest rose and fell at
each breath. I tried to regain my thoughts; think of a way to react,
but shear confusion was clouding my mind in a thick fog. A rasping
stinging sensation burst through my scalp, followed by another, then
another. I quickly realised that this thing was licking the wound on
my head, I tried to wriggle but it held me tight, still stroking my
back with that huge hand. I tried to pull my arms free but my left
was pinned against my torso by the beast, the fingers of my right
hand lodged in the trigger guard of the gun.
The
gun!
I
still had it in my right hand but it was across my lap the barrel
impotently pointing away from us both. If I fired now I would
probably just enrage the beast into ripping me into shreds instead of
fucking me to death, or whatever else it had planned.
Think
James!
I
pushed my face hard into its chest in a false show of reciprocating
its embrace; simultaneously pushing my arse against the seat and
pulling my right arm away, leveraging the gun out from the space
between us. The creature was still lapping at my wound, but the licks
were becoming and harder, rasping against the skin in an effort to
widen gash. I could feel flesh blood begin to trickle down the side
of my head. Its embrace became stronger, pushing the air out from my
lungs, painfully folding my shoulder blades together. Licking at my
head it began grunting and growling, the hand stroking my back had
stopped and I could now feel the tips of long claws digging into my
skin. Its other hand now held my hair in a clenched fist, pushing my
head hard into its heaving chest as bloodlust once again began to
take hold.
To
the soundtrack of its quickening heart-rate I yanked my right arm
away from my body using my hip as leverage, closed my eyes and pulled
the trigger.
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
The force of the blast whipped my head back; it jammed against my
shoulders like a garden gate slammed against its hinges by the wind.
The beast fell away from me and I slid from the seat landing hard on
the road, the gun bursting from my grip like a wriggling salmon. A
high pitched wine screamed in both my ears and bounced throughout my
mind, my reality vibrating from the force of the gunshot. The ringing
abated as I tried to squeeze the haze from my eyes, through the blur
I could see a white shape bucking and kicking against the tarmac,
flashes of red bursting through the gloom.
As the image began to sharpen I could see the beast writhing on
the ground, huge hands held to its side, a thick red bloom staining
the creature's thick, white fur. It yelped and howled as it rolled
through the rainwater soaked road. I painfully pulled myself up
against the seat, the ringing in my ears fading into some far-off
church bells. Dragging myself across the new smelling leather I could
hear the beast convulsing in agony, its claws scraping against the
tarmac like nails across a blackboard. I ignored it, using all my
strength to drag myself onto the driver's seat. I propped myself up
on the steering wheel, my ankle sending bolts of electricity deep
into my knee. I fumbled for the keys, the jingling reply in my hands
like a chorus of angels. I turned the key pushing whilst pushing the
accelerator pedal down, the large vehicle coughed loudly but didn't
respond.
I began to panic and looked to the road; the creature had begun to
rise once more. It was doubled over still holding its midriff, dark,
scarlet fingers oozed over its massive hands and poured down its
thick legs like long tongues of flame. It was wheezing and breathing
hard, struggling to keep its balance. It raised its huge head and
caught site of me desperately trying to start the engine. Those thick
black lips, like rivulets of tar twitched back over its nightmarish
teeth, eyes blazing with pure fury. It began hobbling towards the
open driver's side.
In vain I tried to reach the door, but the beast had bent the door
against its hinges and I couldn't reach the handle from behind the
wheel. Again I tried to key and accelerator but the 4x4 teased as if
stirring in its sleep, but not waking. The creature was almost upon
me, its huge hand reaching for my head, I pushed my damaged left
ankle onto the clutch in frustration and turned the key. The pain
that erupted from my throat in an agonized shout was immediately
drowned out by engine of the Range Rover as it roared into life. I
jammed my foot down once more pushing the vehicle into gear and
stamped on the accelerator.
The car leapt backwards, both the engine and I screaming in
defiance. The only sign I had inadvertently put the vehicle into
reverse, was the massive thud as the driver's door hit the wolf as
it lunged towards me. The engine squealed as I careered blindly in
the wrong direction. The beast was now hanging from the inside of the
door, its legs scraping along the ground as it tried to get purchase
on the dark bitumen that scraped at its feet like sandpaper. Before I
could react I felt the front of the car kick up in the air as the
back end careered into the ditch lining the side of the road, a thick
tree stopping the heavy 4x4 in its tracks. The collision jolted me
forward, my forehead painfully bouncing off the thick steering wheel.
I felt glass shatter across the back of my head as stars rained
across my vision. Looking out the beast was still hanging on to the
driver's door, although now it was slowly getting to its feet once
more. Ignoring the pain I pushed my foot down on the clutch, and
wrestling the car into first gear, stamped onto the accelerator hard.
The wheels slipped and whined as they
struggled to find purchase on the wet embankment. I pulled myself
across the driver's seat, the gear stick digging into my side as I
tried to create distance between myself and the crazed beast, which
had now managed to pull itself up onto its knees. It reached into the
cockpit, its huge claws cutting inches short of my chest like a flock
of sentient scythes. It buried its claws into the driver's seat,
pulling itself up towards me
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