Meanwhile, at base camp

Nigel’s eyelids grew heavy as the morning light filtered through the grimy window of the infirmary. Watching the constant rhythm of her breathing lulled him into sleep.

“You need to rest, love,” Blanka murmured, her voice little more than a ragged whisper.

Nigel opened his eyes and shook his head, fighting the urge to sleep. “I’m not leaving your side.”

A ghost of a smile played across Blanka’s pale lips. “Always the stubborn one.”

Before Nigel could respond, her eyelids fluttered shut again, and her breathing deepened. Nigel watched her for a moment, his heart swelling with a potent mixture of love and fear. He leaned back in the rickety chair, closing his eyes.

Sometime later, he was jolting awake to the deafening roar of jet engines. His eyes flew open to find himself seated in the cramped cabin of an airplane, the fuselage vibrating with the power of the twin turbines. Nigel’s brow furrowed in confusion as he glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings.

“What the hell?” he muttered.

A sudden burst of gunfire made him jump, his heart leaping into his throat. He whipped his head towards the sound to see Blanka crouched beside the window, a massive rifle braced against her shoulder as she unleashed a hail of bullets into the open air.

“Blanka!” Nigel cried, scrambling to his feet. “What’s going on?”

She didn’t seem to hear him, her face a mask of grim determination as she continued firing. Nigel followed her line of sight, his breath catching in his throat.

Several figures dressed in black leather and propelled by jetpacks strapped to their backs approached. Nigel watched in disbelief as one figure raised a rocket launcher, taking aim at the plane.

“Look out!” he shouted, but the thunderous roar of the rocket’s launch drowned his voice out.

Time slowed as the projectile streaked towards them, a trail of smoke in its wake. Nigel braced himself for the inevitable impact, his heart pounding. Blanka wrenched the controls at the last possible second, sending the plane into a dizzying corkscrew roll. The rocket blazed past, missing them by centimeters.

Not this again!

A feeling of Deji-vu washed over Nigel. This battle has been fought before. One of the jetpack-clad figures burst through the infirmary door. Nigel’s eyes widened in horror as the figure swung inside, landing in a crouch. The intruder removed their helmet, and Nigel’s blood turned icy in his veins. Beneath the armored facade was the snarling muzzle of a massive wolf, its lips curled back to reveal dagger-like fangs.

I must be dreaming, but this feels so real.

The beast threw back its head and let out a bone-chilling howl that made Nigel’s ears ring. He stumbled back, his hands fumbling for any weapon as the wolf advanced, its yellow eyes glinting with feral intelligence. The creature bit into Blanka’s neck, bit out a chunk, and chewed with vigor. Nigel and Blanka screamed.

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His eyes snapped open to find himself back in the dingy infirmary, Blanka’s hand still clutched in his own. His heart raced as he gulped down lungfuls of stale air, his brow beaded with sweat. Distant howls echoed in the distance.

“Nigel?” Blanka’s weak voice drew his attention back to the cot. “What’s happening?”

He forced a reassuring smile, despite the knot of dread tightening in his gut. “Nothing to worry about, love. Just a few mangy strays making noise.”

Just as the words had left his lips, a scream tore through the night. Nigel opened the door and whirled towards the throaty sound. A young man, just a little younger than Ralphie, scrambled backward, his face a mask of terror.

Not this shit again! This camp has too many holes.

A massive wolf, larger than any Nigel had ever seen, stalked towards the terrified man, its lips curled back in a vicious snarl. The beast lunged, its mighty jaws clamping down on the man’s leg with a sickening crunch.

“No!” Nigel roared, snatching up his rifle.

He burst out into the night, his eyes wild as he searched for the source of the commotion. The young man’s agonized screams rent the air, each one driving a spike of ice through Nigel’s heart.

At last, he spotted them—the wolf had the man pinned, its jaws working as snapped at his throat. Nigel raised his rifle and opened fire, the thunderous report of the weapon echoing through the encampment. The shot was accurate, and the wolf yelped and released its victim. A clicking noise rang through Nigel’s ears. As Nigel reloaded the rifle, the creature lunged forward. Their eyes met, and then the beast paused, giving Nigel all the time he needed to end the beast. He didn’t remember firing or even reloading. The wolf lay motionless before him as the camp gathered.

I did it!

Growls and snarls echoed throughout the encampment as a pack of massive wolves poured into it, their slavering jaws open in bloodcurdling howls. Nigel stumbled, but regained his balance as he swung his rifle like a crazed batter. Moments later, he was surrounded by the pack swinging crazily as the beasts closed in from all sides.

“Stay back!” he said.

The wolves seemed to exchange glances, then continued their advance. A wave of cold fury washed over him at the thought of those feral beasts getting anywhere near his wounded love. His jaw clenched, and he tightened his grip on the rifle.

“That’s far enough, you mangy bastards,” he growled, aiming at the giant wolf.

A voice rang behind him before he could pull the trigger, cutting through the chaos.

“Nigel! Stand down, you fool!”

He risked a glance to see Benson hurrying towards him, a motley crew of armed villagers in his wake.

“Are you daft, boy?” the old man barked. “You’ll only provoke them further!”

These were no ordinary wolves. They were driven by something or someone.

“Inside, quickly!” Benson shouted, ushering Nigel and the others back towards the infirmary. “We’ll be safer behind walls!”

Nigel didn’t need to be told twice. He backed towards the ramshackle building, his rifle still trained on the advancing pack. As he reached the doorway, he risked one final glance over his shoulder, his breath catching in his throat.

The massive wolf watched him with unsettling focus. Nigel could have sworn the beast’s lips curled into a cruel smile before throwing back its head and uttered a chilling howl.

He dove inside the infirmary, slamming the door behind him. His gaze immediately found Blanka lying pale and motionless on the cot.

“Nigel?” Her voice was little more than a ragged whisper. “What’s happening out there?”

He crossed to her side in a few strides, taking her hand in his as he struggled to keep his voice steady. “The wolves are back, and I’m not letting them near you.”

A chorus of howls rose from outside, seeming to shake the foundations of the building. No matter what foul forces were at work, he would protect her with his last breath. He braced himself for the nightmare to come. The wolves scratched at the door, seeking to exploit any vulnerability. He was prepared to face whatever came. A massive roar of an engine echoed through the camp. The wolves let out one final cry, then left as quick as they arrived.