The routine had been kept in through the hours of the following mornings and evenings. Wayne, being the stubborn person he was, insisted As that he didn’t need help on his way to the door. Wayne hobbled his way outside, stopping only a foot into the natural world.

  “You know,” said Wayne, “you need to move your body if you want it to get better, or else it won’t feel fine when you do start moving.”

  No matter if he was correct or not, As kept imploring.

  “I understand, Wayne, but please, I do not want you to be hurt again.” Some worried sincerity was in his voice.

  “Don’t worry. I’m still trying to be careful.” Wayne assured.

  With every step, the bone hurt.

* * *

  Segen had his eyes glued to the house for days, watching Wayne exit. The period to strike was only for mere minutes every day. Waiting for the right moment was difficult, especially when every new day only made the wolf hungrier. The crows were beginning to get on his nerves, their irritating inquiries about their next big meal he had told them of, day and night. The murder flew to him, asking him when they will not be hungry. Every instance he would snap at them, telling them he will go to them when its ready to be torn apart further. To Segen, the birds acted dumb on purpose; they knew better. They simply wanted to infuriate him.

  Was it a blessing in disguise? After all, the more angry he became, the more he could kill his victim with ease. It seemed to fill his body with adrenaline.

  As kept busy inside, yet again filling the hearth with more wood he had gathered. The front door was shut; he could hear Wayne’s breathing, his slow draws.

  In an instant, As’ hunting instincts kicked in. A distinct sound flew up in attention—the sound of snow crunching, each sound spaced out from the next. Outside, the sound came from the east, yet the cabin entrance faces the north? But...

  The sound was far too familiar.

  As’ attention was only on the sound. Slowly walking over to his satchel hung up alongside the wall, and unfolding one of the inner compartments, a dagger was now in talon.

  Delicately, As moved to the door in a quiet gait. The door was opened.

  “Oh, what’s up?” Wayne asked, surprised to see As. But he was ignored. Walking out ten steps beyond Wayne, As scanned the area. Up and down, around, cocking his head side to side. The noise was gone.

  This was the perfect moment to strike.

  Galloping. The dark grey figure ran on all fours. And it was headed straight for Wayne. He noticed the beast too late.

  Running. All As could think of was to put himself in danger.

  “Look out!” was screamed just when As had reached Wayne.

  The wolf lunged, its dewclaws outstretched, their full weight crashing down onto the owl. Wayne stumbled backwards as he fell. Pressing their body into As for another leap, pushing him further into the ground, the wolf initiated.

  Segen howled in pain as the knife drove its way into his stomach. Another agonizing cut as the dagger was plunged in again.

  “Not this time!” As yelled.

  Segen looked down onto his obstacle beneath him. With a lurch, his jaws opened and his teeth pierced As’ shoulder. With mind over matter, As now went for the chest, pushing the seven inch blade in, puncturing a lung. Segen’s head reared upwards in a deep gasp, the air forcefully sucked out, giving As an opportunity. With a far reach, taking hold of the wolf’s neck, As created a deep slit with one quick motion. The beast’s fur darkened, as they underwent exsanguination. As rolled out from under the now knelt wolf, making his way over to Wayne. The both of them shook, As having become a canvas of maroon.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  As tightly embraced Wayne, on the verge of tears, Wayne’s green parka being painted red. As’ breathing was quick and shallow, yet he pushed on, forcing Wayne and himself inside the cabin with a barge of the door. Segen’s plan had been obliterated; the one who he had wanted to see the attack, performed the attack.

  Very quickly making his way to the water pump in the corner, and setting the large wooden basin underneath the spout, As undertook vigorously washing himself clean of the atrocity. Wayne had been silent, sitting himself on the bed, right where he belonged. He was too shaken to say anything, listening to the panicked breathes of his savior across the room. He saw the water turn almost a brown color as it ended up in the receptacle.

  As made his way to the bed, taking in Wayne again. Wayne stared blankly in front of him, then downward, then back up, alternating. Now, As had saved his life twice. He could hear As’ heartbeat now. It was fast with adrenaline, almost like his heart was about to fly out of his chest.

  “I’m sorry...” As’ throat was still seizing. A long pause drew on from what seemed like a full minute.

  “We need to leave! Now!” As demanded, “The others will come when they know the alpha is dead. I know of someplace safer, warmer, but it’s a long way away and we need to move.” His voice was almost breathless.

  “Wayne, you know I mean you well,” As now had some tears welling in his eyes, “but you’re going to need to walk on your bad foot, at least partially. I can carry you if I need to. I’m sorry!”

  Wayne’s emotions got the better of him. He couldn’t control this situation that was forced onto him. “No!” he screamed angrily, “I’m walking myself!”

  “It’s up to you. I am so sorry. I know it’s-”

  “Stop it!” Wayne cut them off. “The sooner we leave, the sooner we get this over with!” He now seized with anger. Why him?

  “No, just-... sit down!” As’ tone was now that of urgency. “I’m going to get everything we need. I caused this. You collect your things when I’m done and we’ll be going.”

  “No, I’m getting my shit right now and you get yours.” Wayne snapped back.

  “Sit! Down!” As’ scream filled the room. His father was coming out of him now. Wayne fell silent. As had never screamed like that once since they had met.

  “...Fine.” Wayne felt somewhat defeated. He didn’t need any more problems than the one he was about to face.

  A few moments of silence followed.

  “I’m sorry...” As broke, his screech had turned into a whisper, “I just... don’t want you to be hurt is all...”

  Wayne said nothing.

  As removed an old toboggan that was lodged behind many bits and bobs against the wall of the living room. A few dusty sacks were also found. After removing the dust outside, As began loading everything he thought was necessary for their journey, separating them between the bags. Medicinal needs and herbs, a pumice stone, blankets, food and seeds for planting, clothes, hunting tools, some small weapons scattered through the house in secret, and of course, As dropped in his important Owarr manuscript. Bundling the heavy sacks onto the vehicle, As commented,

  “There should be enough room on here left for you. I suggest trying it.”

  Much to Wayne’s delight, there was just enough space to comfortably sit.

  “Perfect. Now you won’t need to walk!” As remarked.

  Collecting his own things that still sat where As had moved them all those days ago, Wayne grabbed his backpack, snow pants, and hiking gear and also placed them within a some of the bags, though they almost didn’t fit inside.

  With a sigh, As felt deflated inside. “Before we leave, I think... maybe we should have one last good meal in this warm house. It’ll be hard to stay this warm out there.”

  Just as they had over two weeks ago, they ate their help of fish As had saved from earlier. Their stomachs were filled, and they were well hydrated.

  “Oh, one more thing.” As remembered. “I need to get the scent off of your coat so if anyone follows us it will be more difficult for them to find you.”

  As washed the dried blood from the polyester parka. Taking the jacket, he covered it with his own scent, rubbing it with his talons and chest.

  “Thanks...” Wayne took the parka back, slightly disgusted.

  “Are you ready?”

  “I guess ready as I’ll ever be.”

  As grabbed hold of the rope. Stepping outside once again, the cold wind hit them. Immediately to their left they were reminded of what had occurred. A large pool of blood dribbled.

  “Wait,” Wayne said.

  Wayne got up from the toboggan, and hobbled over to the dagger still sticking out from Segen.

  “Give me that.” Wayne spoke to the corpse. Wiping the blood off in the snow, he held the blade up. “Here.”

  “I suppose that is a good thing to have. I’m not sure how I forgot about my dagger.” As deposited the knife back to where it came from in his satchel. “Now, we are set. I know where to go, we head south. It can be dangerous, but stay by my side.” As paused, “I hope you’re excited to see the beauty of Cahlm.”