All feats of heroism are conjured from a healthy dose of recklessness and insanity, and a lack of self preservation. That's what i came to realise as i found myself at the receiving end of my own knife- which i had ironically kept to protect myself. Despite my suicidal actions, it's true that I don't want to die, so I decide to test out my impulsiveness once again. Noticing a certain weapon in the floor, I raise my hands above my head and beg blondie for mercy.
'Please dont kill me. I just can't see a little kid being hurt. I'm sorry, I know its none of my business.'
The tremor in my voice is a nice touch and I have the briefest urge to pat myself on the back for the masterful acting, when the boy's grip on my leg tightens in fear. The guilt douses some of my adrenaline and I ground myself back into my role, lowering myself on the ground.
From the corner of my eye I can see blondie's minions exchanging smug looks and the knife being pulled back just slightly. Ignoring the throbbing in my head from the fall and the fact that it worsened with my crouching on the floor, I grab the branch that blondie had left on the floor in exchange for my knife, and as fast as I can, I swing it at his head.
My wrist aches in response to the pushback from the heavy branch, but it was worth it because blondie landed on the ground with a satisfying thud. My knife clattered on its fall and I decide last minute to leave it as I grab the boy's wrist and make a run for it.
My heart thunders against my chest and my legs burned as I beat feet deeper into the forest. The trees I pushed frantically snap back and strike my face multiple times but I have no time to focus on the pain because of the thudding sound of footsteps from behind getting louder and louder. The boy was surprisingly fast and agile for his age, even though I had been worried about him slowing us down. We continue on our path, zigzagging through the forest while trying to outrun the three animals at our heel but they just wouldn't give it up.
Screaming out for help wasn't an option in case they had more buddies lying around in wait, so the only option was to keep going until they eventually gave up. If they ever would.
I was running out of stamina and options when suddenly we reached a dead end with a cliff overlooking a waterfall. I contemplated jumping over and hoping that we landed straight into the water but the sight of the ragged rocks and shrapnel-like edges made me change my mind instantly.
Keeping the boy behind me, I turned around to face our assailants once again but my previous bravado was all but gone. I wanted to wipe off the filthy grins off their faces as they eyed us- knowing there was no way out for us now.
Blondie decided to hang back and inclined his head in our direction. As if on cue, his two lackeys moved forward and surrounded us. The brunette raised his hand to grab the boy, and just before he grazed his arm, I jammed my knee into his stomach. He let out a curse and bent over with his arms around his stomach and I used this opening to try to land a definitive blow on his head when his partner yanked me by the waist and locked my arms into place.
I struggled wildly, thrashing around with such an intensity that blondie had to come over and place the knife over my throat. His threat was unsaid but clear, not a word more.
Securing the boy by shoving him towards the brunette, he grabbed me by the nape and forced my body at the cliff's edge, with my torso so bent that even the slightest gust of wind could've pushed me off.
Before he could release me to my fall of death, two strong hands wrapped around me from the side and I was pulled back into a solid embrace. The three men grew instantly nervous at the sight of the newcomer and stepped back slightly in deference. The man's scent flooded my nostrils, and it was so unexpectedly, achingly familiar that my vision became blurry with tears. It couldn't be what I thought it was.
I craned my head, trying to look at his face, but he tightened his grip, keeping me in place. Desperation strengthened my resolve and I managed to wriggle free of his grip, except the throbbing my head got even worse. The world began to spin around me and I struggled to stand as the man who had saved me began to..glow?
I caught the briefest glimpse of devastating blue eyes, but blinked rapidly to make sure when his eyes began to glow and a low threatening growl pierced the air.
It sounded like a dangerous animal and I was instantly alerted, except the surroundings were empty.
The growl came again, louder this time, except it was from the man. From my..saviour.
He stepped forward towards my three attackers and calmly pulled the boy from their grip.
Effortlessly.
The boy ran over to me as I settled my head between my knees, trying to stop the ringing in my ears as the distinct growling continued and a flash of light erupted from the sky. It struck the man and bathed his body in light before he seemed to somehow change into a wild beast.
Something not human.
Before the world around me turned dark, I had this realisation with startling clarity: he had turned into a werewolf.