The first rays of dawn filtered through the grimy windows, casting a pale glow over the infirmary. Ralphie stirred on the cot, blinking the sleep from his eyes. His gaze fell on Nigel, slumped in a chair beside Blanka’s bedside, her hand clutched in his. Ralphie’s heart clenched at the sight of his brother’s haggard face, etched with worry and fatigue.

Nigel must have stayed by her side all night.

Ralphie pushed himself upright, wincing as his muscles protested from the uncomfortable cot. He crossed the room in a few strides, resting a hand on Nigel’s shoulder. His brother started, his eyes flying open.

“Easy, it’s just me,” Ralphie murmured.

Nigel relaxed, offering a weary smile. “Morning already?”

Ralphie nodded, his gaze drifting to Blanka’s still form. “How is she?”

“Holding on,” Nigel said, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s strong.”

A soft groan escaped Blanka’s lips, and her eyelids fluttered. Nigel leaned forward, his expression a mixture of hope and trepidation.

“Love? Can you hear me?”

Blanka’s eyes cracked open, her gaze unfocused. “Nigel?” she rasped.

Relief washed over Nigel’s features as he brought her hand to his lips. “I’m here, darling. You gave us quite a scare.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at Blanka’s pale lips. “Takes more than...a mangy mutt...to keep me down.”

Ralphie couldn’t help but grin at her bravado, even in the face of her grievous injuries. A soft knock at the door drew his attention, and he turned to see Sally hovering in the doorway.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, her eyes flicking to Blanka. “I just wanted to check on our patient.”

“Come in,” Nigel beckoned, his expression brightening.

Sally crossed the room, her gaze assessing as she examined Blanka’s bandaged wounds. “How are you feeling?”

Blanka grimaced. “Like I went a few rounds with a bear.”

Sally’s lips quirked in a half-smile. “Well, you’re lucky to be alive after tangling with that beast.” Her expression grew serious. “We’ll need to keep those wounds clean and change your dressings.”

Blanka nodded. “Whatever it takes. I’ll be back on my feet before you know it.”

“I don’t doubt it for a second,” Sally said.

She turned to Ralphie, her expression shifting. “I need to check on the condition of the chopper. Make sure that overgrown fur ball didn’t do any damage.”

Ralphie’s stomach twisted into a knot at the thought of venturing out into the encampment after last night’s attack.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

“I’ll come with you,” he offered, sounding more confidant than he felt.

Sally nodded, her gaze softening as she took in his apprehension. “Stay close, and we’ll be fine.”

With a final glance at Nigel and Blanka, Ralphie followed Sally out into the cool morning air. The encampment was waking up. A few early risers milled about as the sun crept over the horizon.

Ralphie’s heart went into overdrive as they made their way towards the helicopter’s location. His ears strained for any sound, his grip tightening on the pipe he carried from the night before.

A low, haunting howl echoed in the distance, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Sally paused, her head cocked as she listened.

“Wolves,” she murmured, her expression grim.

Ralphie swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. “You don’t think...?”

Sally shook her head, resuming her brisk pace. “Probably just a few strays. But we’d better keep moving, just in case.”

They reached the helicopter without incident, the sleek black body of the aircraft gleaming in the morning light. Sally circled it slowly, her eyes narrowed as she inspected every inch for damage.

“Looks like our feathered friend made it through unscathed,” she called over her shoulder.

Ralphie breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived. Sally’s brow furrowed as she crouched beside the landing gear, her fingers probing at something Ralphie couldn’t see.

“Damn it,” she muttered, rising to her feet. “One of the hydraulic lines is busted. Must have happened during our less-than-graceful landing.”

Ralphie’s heart sank. “Can you fix it?”

Sally shook her head, her expression grave. “Not without the proper tools and parts. And even if I could, I wouldn’t risk flying this bird until we’re sure it’s airworthy.”

Ralphie digested this, his mind whirling. If the helicopter was out of commission, that left them stranded in the encampment—at least for now.

“What do we do now?” he asked, unable to keep the worry from his voice.

Sally’s jaw tightened. “We find another way out of here. There has to be an airport or airstrip nearby that we can use.”

As if on cue, another haunting howl drifted through the brisk morning air, this one closer than the last. Ralphie’s grip tightened on his pipe, his knuckles whitening.

“Let’s get back and talk to Benson,” Sally said.

“I didn’t see a car or any other form of transportation,” Ralphie said.

“He’ll know if there are any other options in the area.”

They picked the pace as more urgent howls pierced the morning air. It took some time to find Benson, but someone pointed to a ramshackle building that served as Benson’s headquarters. The old man looked up as they entered, his weathered face creasing into a frown.

“You two look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“The chopper’s grounded until we can get a new hydraulic line. We need to know if there’s an airport or airstrip nearby that we can use to get out of here,” Sally said.

“Well, good morning to you, too,” Benson said as he scratched his whiskered chin.

This guy looks clueless.

“Closest one I know of is about a day’s hike west. What will you find there? But I hope you find parts for your bird.”

Sally’s expression hardened. “Then that’s where we’re headed. As soon as possible.”

The old man nodded, his gaze flicking to Ralphie. “You’d best be prepared for anything out there, boy. Those weren’t ordinary wolves we heard howling this morning.”

A chill ran down Ralphie’s spine at the ominous words. He opened his mouth to respond, but Sally cut him off.

“Then we’d better get moving,” she said, her tone clipped. “Ralphie, you’re with me. We’ll need all the firepower we can muster for this little field trip.”

Ralphie’s heart leaped into his throat, but he nodded, his jaw set with grim determination. “Just tell me what you need me to do.”

Sally’s expression softened ever. “Grab whatever supplies and weapons you think we’ll need. We’ll head out within the hour.”

As Ralphie hurried to gather their meager provisions, his mind raced with a thousand different scenarios. What other horrors lurked beyond the relative safety of the encampment’s walls? And would they be prepared to face them?

One thing was sure: they couldn’t afford to let their guard down for a second, not with the haunting howls of those unnatural wolves still ringing in his ears.