A loud blast echoed across the campsite as Bob took his shot, steadily reloading his Winchester Model 70, bolt-action, hunting rifle. A clean shot straight to the head of the Alpha, which let out a whelp as it hit the ground. These rifles could take down an elk, a wolf would be no issue. Nonetheless, Bob kept his cool - always good under pressure and in the chaos he calmly returned his his head to the scope of the rifle.
As his vision came back into focus, Bob’s heart momentarily paused. The wolf was staggering back onto its paws, shaking its head as if it was shaking off a punch to the jaw. There was no blood. A second shot rang out, another direct hit to the alpha. The four remaining wolves had stopped in their tracks, looking towards the danger.
Two began to growl and slowly began to walk towards Bob who remained lay in the flowerbed to the side of his house, the others tended to their leader. To Bob’s amazement the Alpha was yet again staggering to its feet after two direct hits to the head. The bullets had done some damage as the leader continued to stagger unsteadily .
“Right Maureen, Plan B - into the house” he whispered hurriedly, loading his rifle once more. The tap of Maureen’s steel cane on the stone slabs let him know she had heard his instruction.
The commanding wolf let out a loud yap, instructing his pack. The two that had their sights locked on Bob dashed forwards, eyes of evil and mouths filled with razor sharp teeth, saliva drooling freely. He fired his third shot, straight through the eye of an oncoming beast, it fell to the ground skidding through the flowerbed. It’s companion paused its charge and came to a halt, it turned back to check on its partner.
The shot wolf lay limply on the ground, being gently nuzzled by its companion. With renewed vigour the second beast howled loudly and began to charge once more. The injured alpha remained by the Yurt, shaking off its injury and the two remaining wolves were nowhere to be seen.
It was too late for him to help Archie and Wren. Bob hurried back to the house, as quickly as his large frame would allow, loading his fourth shot into the Winchester as he went. He padded up the stone steps, the wolf gaining ground with every pace, he dived into the corridor of the back door.
“Now Maureen, the shutters - quick!” He squealed. Fear in his eyes as he saw Maureen hesitate. It was going to be a bloodbath - he turned onto his back and pulled the rifle round.
“Not yet” Maureen said calmly
Bob’s eyes widened as the giant wolf bounded up the steps, snarling and growling filling him with dread.
As the wolf took its final leap, Bob was frozen with fear. Maureen hit the button that she had patiently stood beside.
Huge, industrial grade, metal shutters slammed down onto the neck of the wolf. It crashed to the floor and whelped as the vertebrae of its neck were crushed under the weight and impact of the shutters.
There were loud bangs, almost in unison around the perimeter of the house as metal shutters covered all windows and entrances to the property; disrupting the wolves in the yurt. The Alpha unsure on its next plan of action, raised its head, white ears pricking to the danger.
Bob gently placed his rifle between the wolf’s teeth, whispered “I'm sorry” and pulled the trigger. A fourth and fatal shot, the wolf was put out of its misery, red eyes rolled to the back of its head.
***
At the sound of the first gun shot, Archie sat bolt upright. Wren followed suit and rushed to Archie’s side.
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The danger was immediately clear, there were creatures circling their yurt. When the second shot was fired, they heard something large hit the floor. It snorted heavily, low guttural growls emanating dangerously from the Yurts entrance. Archie materialised four of his latte art pens, passing two to Wren “it’s all I’ve got”.
After some confusion amongst the pack, orders were given and two huge wolves ripped through the entrance, large white paws the size of saucers clawing through the canopy. Razor sharp claws making easy work of the doorway, slipping through the material like knives through butter.
One after the other, the two wolves leapt into the Yurt and tore at the bedding. Their prey had vanished.
Realising the wolves were at the entrance, Archie and Wren had torn a thin slit into the back of the Yurt and made a dash for the large oak tree that stood at the rear of the campsite.
Their plans were dashed as the Alpha began towards them, directly in the path of the oak tree. Realising their prey was escaping it howled once more. It’s two companions emerged from either side of the Yurt and began to sprint towards them.
“To the van” Wren called out, pulling Archie’s arm towards the minivan, a red transporter, parked by the gated entrance to the campsite. They pulled helplessly at the handles of the van to no avail, in a rush, they scrambled up the front and onto the roof.
Taking stock of the three wolves running towards them, Archie flung his pen with force and precision, piercing the snout of the first wolf. It bucked up and down in pain as it desperately pawed at the needle. The other two wolves paid no heed and continued their pursuit.
Another needle was flung, sticking deeply into the brow of the Alpha. Regardless it continued forwards, reaching the van in seconds. Jumping forwards, cracking the windscreen, it lurched its neck forwards and opened its gaping jaw; snapping frantically at Archie’s ankles.
Reflexively, Archie avoided the attack, he danced backwards. Two more latte pens appeared in his hands, faint blue wisps of energy faded around them. Flinging each one simultaneously they both pierced the wolf’s face, causing the Alpha to retreat.
It was quickly replaced by the two wolves from the Yurt. Both taking the place of their leader, Wren backed up towards the rear of the roof. Archie stood his ground between her and the wolves. There was a flash of glass from one of the windows on the upper floor of the house, followed by a fifth shot that echoed across the lawn.
Striking one of the wolves on the van, it was knocked to the ground with a yelp. In a frenzy the remaining wolf lunged for Archie, thick teeth latching onto his leg, it tore through his trousers and dug deeply around his shin.
Yanking him with such force, Archie was flung backwards and crashed loudly into the roof of the Transporter, denting it as if he’d fallen from a great height, his pens clattering to the ground, as his grip loosened. The wolf continued to thrash and shake, pulling him backwards towards the ground.
Screaming, Wren ran forwards bringing her fists down onto the top of the wolf. It made no difference and Archie was dragged to the floor where two wolves awaited, ready to tear him apart.
A sixth shot hit the wolf holding him, momentarily losing its grip Archie crawled free. Loose stones from the driveway scratching at each other as he moved backwards and leant against the front of the vehicle. He closed his eyes and awaited the onslaught. "This is it" he told himself.
Rather than finish the job, the three wolves cocked their heads to Archie’s left hand side. He heard her, before he saw her. The patter of footsteps across the gravel as they sprinted towards him.
A ball of flame engulfed the closest wolf, it howled in agony. The smell of burnt hair pierced Archie’s nostrils, the heat radiating across his face. The campsite was briefly alive with light. The blood trickling down the white wolves faces was clear, as were the faded scars they held from previous battles.
Pat. Pat. Pat. The sound of someone's feet continued across the stones. A woman, with light brown hair slid on her knees aross the gravel, in front of Archie straight at the wolves. A large purple shield appearing across an outstretched arm, it knocked the Alpha backwards.
She stood tall, and proud with a second arm outstretched. Another huge ball of fire erupting from her palm set a second wolf ablaze. Sensing defeat, the Alpha let out a howl and sprinted towards the stream, following the rest of its pack that were desperately searching for a source of water.
Archie looked up, the woman spun on her heel, she turned to face him with eyes of fire.