Ralphie’s heart sank as Sally’s words registered. Running out of fuel was the last thing they needed right now. He peered out the window, searching for any sign of their base camp, but all he could see were endless miles of dense forest stretching out below them.

“I’ve got the camp in my sights,” Sally called out, her voice strained.

She must have better eyes than I do because I can’t see shit!

“Where… “

“But we’re going to have to put her down hard. Brace yourself!” Sally cut Raphie off.

He jumped into his seat and fastened his safety harness with trembling hands. The plane shuddered as Sally fought to maintain control. Ralphie gasped as the tree line came into view.

“Hold on!” Sally shouted.

The plane went into a brief tailspin, bile stung Ralphie’s throat as the trees rushed up. He closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable. His regrets and emotions flashed before him. His eyes watered as he realized that he would nver see his mother or brother again.

I love you mother!

A jarring crash send Ralphie’s head slamming back into his seat as the plane’s undercarriage slammed into the ground, the fuselage bouncing and skidding across the uneven terrain. Branches and debris pelted the cockpit windows as they plowed through the forest, the sound of rending metal filling the air. A piercing howl as the wind assaulted his face. It sounded like someone was trying to open the place with a can opener then silence. A moment later, a stressed metal sound echoed through the plane.

“Sally?” Ralphie croaked, his voice hoarse. He turned towards her slumped form, panic gripping his chest. “Sally!”

There was no response. Ralphie fumbled with the harness release, his hands shaking. He examined her, cradling her head.

She is so beautiful.

A trickle of blood ran down her forehead, but she was breathing. A low, haunting howl pierced the stillness, causing the hairs on the back of Ralphie’s neck to stand on end. Others soon joined it, a chorus of eerie calls that seemed to emanate from all directions. Wolves. Ralphie swallowed hard, his grip on Sally tightening.

We have to move!

He lifted Sally’s limp form, draping her over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Her dead weight caused his knees to buckle, but he gritted his teeth and staggered toward the rear of the plane. Kicking open the hatch, he scrambled inside, laying Sally on the floor. The howls were growing louder, more insistent. Ralphie scanned the cramped interior, looking for anything that could serve as a weapon. His gaze fell upon a battered metal trunk.

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When he tried opening the lip it wouldn’t budge. He kicked it until it opened with a snapping sound. He took inventory of the assortment of emergency supplies. Among the items, he spotted a bundle of red flare sticks. They wouldn’t stop the wolves, but they could provide some light and scare the animals off.

If any of those beats get close I will melt their face off.

Snatching up the flares, Ralphie rushed back to Sally’s side, cracking one stick and waving it through the air. The brilliant crimson light cut through the gloom, casting dancing shadows across the interior of the wrecked plane.

The howls were drawing closer and with greater intensity. Ralphie’s heart thundered in his chest as he caught glimpses of shadowy forms slinking between the trees, their eyes glinting in the flare’s glow.

A massive gray shape lunged forward. More wolves circles and snarled, waiting to pounce. Ralphie backed away. The flare held out in front of him like a feeble talisman. The beasts fanned out, encircling the downed plane. Saliva dripped from their bared fangs, their lips curled back in feral snarls. Ralphie’s breath caught in his throat as the largest of the pack fixed him with its piercing gaze.

How in the hell are we going to get out of this one?

Several clyndrical objects came into view. He gasped as he glimpsed several aging sticks of dynamite among the supplies. The sticks glistened with sweat, as if they had been submerged in water. Keeping the snarling wolves at bay with the flare, Ralphie inched his way towards the explosives. His fingers closed around the dynamite sticks, the coarse material scratching his skin.

He extracted one stick with a trembling hand.

Great, but how am I going to light one of these? Don’t blow yourself up, Ralphie.

He searched Sally’s pockets and found a lighter. After several desperate tries, the small flame held steady. Emboldened by the fading illumination, one wolf stepped forward, its lips pulling back to reveal a maw of glistening fangs. Ralphie lit the dynamite’s fuse. For a moment he froze, watching its irregular pattern of flame. He hurled the explosive towards the advancing pack. The wolves scattered, their startled yelps filling the air as the dynamite detonated with a thunderous boom.

The force of the blast slammed into Ralphie like a physical blow, knocking him from his feet. His ears rang with the deafening concussion, his vision swimming. Through the haze of smoke and debris, he could make out the retreating forms of the wolves, their tails tucked between their legs as they fled back into the forest.

Ralphie lay there, gasping for breath, his heart still pounding in his chest. Hauling himself to his feet, he staggered back to where Sally stirred and moaned.

“Sally?” he rasped, shaking her shoulder. “Can you hear me?”

Her eyelids fluttered, and she let out a soft groan. Relief washed over Ralphie as her eyes opened, blinking in confusion.

“Wha... what happened?” she mumbled, her voice thick.

“We crashed,” Ralphie explained, helping her into a sitting position. “But we’re alive. For now.”

Sally winced, her hand going to the gash on her forehead. “We need to get to the camp—now!”

Ralphie nodded. She was right. They had to make it back to base and regroup. He helped Sally to her feet, draping her arm over his shoulders to support her weight.

“Lean on me,” he said. “We’ll take it slow.”

A last glance revealed the plane’s smoldering wreckage. As they set off into the forest, the pale light of the full moon guided their path. Ralphie’s grip on Sally tightened, his jaw set in grim determination. They would make it to camp. No matter what stood in their way.