Ralphie’s legs trembled with exhaustion as he and Sally trudged through the thickening forest. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, eerie shadows that danced in the pale light of the full moon. The howls of the wolves seemed to grow closer, their haunting calls echoing through the trees, sending shivers down Ralphie’s spine.

“We need to hurry,” Sally murmured, her voice weak but resolute.

“I know,” Ralphie replied, trying to mask the fear in his voice. “Just lean on me. We’ll make it.”

The underbrush grew denser, branches snagging at their clothes and scratching their skin. The darkness enveloped them, and Ralphie’s heart pounded louder with each step. He glanced around, the trees blending into an impenetrable wall of blackness.

“I think I’m lost,” Ralphie said.

Sally’s grip tightened on his shoulder. “It’s okay. Let’s rest for a moment.”

They stumbled upon a fallen tree, its massive trunk creating a natural bench. Ralphie helped Sally sit down, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She rummaged through her knapsack, pulling out a small, weathered compass.

“Here,” she said, handing it to Ralphie. “We need to find our bearings.”

Ralphie squinted at the compass, but the darkness made it impossible to read. Sally opened her notebook, but the pages were swallowed by the night.

“I can’t see a thing,” she muttered. “We need a fire.”

Ralphie nodded, his mind racing. He gathered small branches and leaves, his hands shaking with urgency. Sally handed him a box of matches, her fingers brushing against his.

“Be careful,” she whispered.

With trembling hands, Ralphie struck a match. The tiny flame flickered, casting a brief, warm glow. He held it to the kindling, coaxing the fire to life. The flames grew, illuminating their surroundings with a comforting light. Sally leaned closer, her eyes scanning the compass and notebook.

“We’re about two miles west of the camp,” she said, steadying. “We need to head that way.”

Ralphie nodded, relief washing over him. They ate some rations from Sally’s pack, and the meager food gave them strength. The growls from the nearby woods grew louder, more insistent. As Ralphie realized they were surrounded, his heart started racing.

“We have to move,” he said, his voice tight with fear.

Sally nodded, her eyes wide. Ralphie grabbed a large fallen branch, ripping part of his shirt and wrapping it around the end. He dipped it into the fire, creating a makeshift torch. The flames flickered, casting eerie shadows as they stood.

The wolves emerged from the darkness, their eyes glinting with hunger. One beast jumped on Sally and snapped at her neck. Ralphie’s grip tightened on the torch, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. He brained the wolf with the torch and the creature yelped before backing off to the edge of the darkness. He counted three wolves, their fangs showing and dripped with saliva.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Come here you little bastard. My batting average need to work on your head some more.

Another wolf lunged forward, its eyes locked on Ralphie. He swung the torch, the flames roaring as they connected with the creature’s fur. The wolf yelped, but it didn’t retreat. Ralphie swung again, his muscles tensing. The wolf bit at the torch, for a moment he played tug of war with the beast until a deafening gunshot shattered the night. The wolf collapsed, its body mere inches from Ralphie. He turned towards the sound, his heart pounding in his chest. Someone appeared from the shadows, holding a rifle.

“Benson!” Ralphie shouted, relief flooding his voice.

“We saw the plane go down. I Figured you might need some help,” Benson said.

Ralphie’s knees buckled, and he sank to the ground, the adrenaline leaving his body in a rush.

“Thank you, we couldn’t go much further,” Sally said.

The older man approached. “Let’s get you back to camp. It’s not safe here.”

Ralphie nodded, his grip on Sally tightening. “We’re ready.”

“We’re in luck, we have moonlight, while it lasts. I’m afraid I saw some cloud across the horizon and we need to reach camp before the moon rises.

As they made their way to camp Ralphie’s breath caught in his throat as the largest moonrise he had ever seen filled the sky. But it was different from any moonrise he had soon.

“Is that a blood moon?” Sally asked.

“Yes, and it’s not a good omen. “Move faster,” Benson urged.

The forest seemed to close around them, the trees whispering secrets and the wolves howled in manic delight. Ralphie couldn’t help but think about his mother.

“How is Blanka?” Ralphie asked Benson.

“Oh, the girl has gotten sicker I’m afraid and the wolf attacks are increasing in strenth and varasity. I fear our situation will only get worse.”

Ralphie nodded, his throat tight with emotion. They continued without conversation. Benson’s presence was a comforting anchor, his steady stride and watchful eyes giving them a sense of security.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured to Sally, his voice a weak whisper. “We tried to get parts for the helicopter and things got out of hand and Blanka may not make it.”

Sally glanced at him, her eyes softening. “You don’t have to apologize. We’re in this together.”

“Stop talking like there’s no hope boy! There’s always hope until you take your last breath,” Benson chided.

As they neared the camp, the trees thinned, and the campfire glow became visible in the distance. Ralphie’s heart leaped with relief, the sight of the familiar surroundings filling him with a renewed sense of hope. They stumbled into the clearing, the warmth of the campfire washing over them. The other members of the camp rushed to their aid, helping Sally and Ralphie to sit by the fire. Ralphie’s legs gave out.

“You’re here,” a voice said, and Ralphie looked up to see Marla, a camp healer.

“How’s Blanka?”

The woman looked away. “She’s not doing so well, we’re you able to find any medicine at the airport?”

Ralphie shot a glance to Sally, he had forgot all about looking for supplies. He was trying to keep Jerry from tearing him limp from limb.

“I got some supplies in my pack,” Sally said.

The woman grabbed the pack and eagerly searched through it. She removed a black bottle, some guaze and some tubular objects.

“This will help clean the wound, but what we relly need are anti-biootics. Do you have any?”

Sally gave Marla a look of disappointment.

“Well, these supplies will still help your friend. I need to attend to her and clean her wound. Thank you for going and trying to help.”

Ralphie watched Marla run deep into the camp. Nigel and Blanka were in one of these shacks.

“You should go to your brother,” Sally said.

“You’re hurt!”

“I’ll be okay, now be with your family.”

Ralphie gave her a look of aprehension. He noticed she grew worse as they walked back to camp. Something felt wrong and he planned to investigate.

I need to find that nurse before we all drop like flies.