The flickering flames of the campfire danced across Ralphie’s face as he sat beside Sally, her head resting on his shoulder. The exhausting and harrowing journey through the forest still weighed on his mind and body. Relief washed over him as they returned to the camp’s safety.

Ralphie’s gaze drifted to Sally’s leg, where a deep gash had torn through her jeans, staining the fabric an ugly dark crimson stain. He grimaced, remembering the snarling wolf hovering over Sally, its fangs bared and saliva dripping from its maw.

“We should get that looked at,” he murmured.

She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she winced in pain. “It’s not too bad,” she said, trying to put on a brave face.

Ralphie shook his head, his brow furrowed with concern. “Don’t be stubborn. Marla can patch you up in the infirmary.”

Sally opened her mouth to protest, but Ralphie had already risen to his feet, offering her his hand.

“I am alright Ralphie, you don’t need to mother me.”

“At least let the medic check you to ensure you don’t have an infection.”

With a resigned sigh, she took it, allowing him to help her up. Ralphie draped her arm over his shoulder, supporting her weight as they made their way across the camp.

The infirmary was a ramshackle structure, its walls made of weathered planks and its roof patched with corrugated metal. As they approached, Ralphie could hear muffled voices from within, punctuated by the occasional groan of pain.

He pushed open the door, and the scene that greeted them made his heart sink. Blanka lay on a cot, her face pale and drawn, her body covered in bandages. Nigel sat by her side, his eyes rimmed with fatigue, his hand clutching hers.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Marla, one of the camp’s medics, was tending to Blanka’s wounds, her brow furrowed in concentration. She glanced up as Ralphie and Sally entered, her expression softening.

“Looks like you two need some patching up,” she said, her voice gruff but tinged with concern.

Nigel’s head snapped up, his eyes widening as he saw his brother and Sally. “Ralphie! Thank God you’re alright.”

Ralphie offered a weary smile, guiding Sally to an empty cot. “We ran into some trouble, but we’re okay.”

Marla approached, her gaze fixed on Sally’s leg. “Let me look at that,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

As Marla set to work cleaning and dressing the wound, Nigel rose from Blanka’s side and crossed the room to Ralphie. A haunting worry stretched across his features.

“What happened out there?” he asked, his voice low.

Ralphie took a deep breath, recounting the harrowing tale of their plane crash, the encounter with the grotesque mutant Jerry, and their desperate flight through the forest, pursued by the relentless wolves.

As Nigel listened, his jaw clenched, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the back of a chair. When Ralphie finished, he shook his head, his expression grim.

“We can’t stay here,” he said, his voice above a whisper. “It’s not safe.”

Ralphie nodded, his gaze drifting to Sally and Blanka. “We can’t leave until they’re both well enough to travel.”

Nigel’s shoulders sagged, and he ran a hand over his face. “You’re right. We’ll have to wait.”

A sudden commotion at the door drew their attention, and Benson entered, his weathered face creased with concern. Marla and Nigel converged on him, their voices hushed but urgent.

Ralphie strained to hear, catching snippets of their conversation. A hospital lies a day’s walk south, where proper medical supplies are available.

Benson turned to Ralphie and Nigel, his expression grave. “It’s risky, but it might be our only chance to get them the help they need.”

Nigel’s jaw tightened, and he nodded. “We’ll go. First light tomorrow.”

Benson clapped him on the shoulder, his gaze flickering to the rifle slung over his back. “Take this, just in case we run into any more mangy beasts.”

Nigel accepted the weapon, his eyes with determination. Ralphie felt a chill run down his spine, the memory of the snarling wolves still fresh in his mind.

I need to keep everyone safe. Too many people have gotten injured while getting me to Boston.

Ralphie returned to Sally’s side. She had drifted off to sleep, her face peaceful despite their ordeal. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. Ralphie lay down, reflecting on the past few days. His eyes drifted shut as exhaustion claimed him.