Chapter 2

“Hey Mason? Hope you forgot nothing”... I watched as my friend advanced towards my direction wearing an all black this evening “To blend in with the night” , He would say. I had to do a double rethink myself to see if I left nothing behind. I smiled when I didn't.

“Yeah bro... The only thing I think I forgot is my fear”... “Hope you didn't bring yours along” He asked.

“Uhm... If I had brought it along, did you think I'll make it halfway down here before I return back home” I replied back with a sarcasm to match his.

“Very good bro... Let the adventure begin!!!!! ”

*Sniffs*

“Charles... Don't you have a feeling someone's here in the wood? ”

“I thought I was the only one who noticed... Alright you guys, Pan out and search the intruder out”

“But who would want to venture into the woods by this time? ” frustrated Juan asked.

Raden laughed... “Only fools will do that. And by the way if we don't find out who those intruders are they'll be interrupting our mission here”.

“I don't want that to ever happen, Alpha won't be pleased either”... Charles added.

“Pan out guys, we've got searching to do, less talking”

“Charles? You're starting to sound like the boss of us, and I don't like that, have you forgotten that we could track these intruders easily... A pissed off Juan said.

“Okay, fine... I'm sorry, I'm just on edge about the mission the Alpha gave us...

“I think the intruders are coming this way”... Juan added.

“Well, that makes the work easier for us, Waddoyou say Raden?

“Uh?... Just keep quiet already you buffoons, I'm tryna concentrate here okay?... The scent I'm picking are familiar ones”

They all raised their nose up to sniff the air around them

“Sure does Raden... Charles said.

“Oh oh... Josh cut in panicking

“WHAT”!? The three asked at once

“Al.......”

Then a huge beast barreled out of the thickest right where they were, radiating much power. The boys were already shaking after the realization of who was before them hit them.

“Al...Alpha” Charles spoke first stuttering on his word. “What brings you here?”

*Cracks*

In the place of the beast stood a very handsome,tall well built man in short...

“You're taking too long, so I've decided to come see for myself how far you've gone with it...

“Uhm... See Alpha, we've been making progress though... But we would soon be done”. A shaking Charles said, baring his neck in submission to his Alpha

“Be fast about it boys, I trusted you! That's why I gave you this mission...

*Sniffs*

“Humans?... What are they doing on my border?”

"We were just about to find out before you came Alpha"... Raden answered for the rest shaking visibly.

“Good, I wouldn't want anything meddling this mission! And the pack is beginning to worry"...

“We are beginning to spot the presence of some weird creatures around the park borders, and since our only hope of warding them off is still not seen, they are beginning to see me as a week Alpha”.

“We promise we'll find you the MAGE sooner Alpha...” Charles finished off finding his bearing back.

“Now about those intruder, see that they never cross the barrier”... The Alpha growled out

“Yes Alpha”... They all said in unison before spreading out through the wood.

*MASON POV*

“Hey Jake buddie... How you doing?”...

“Never better, I'm surprised being miles away from home give me such tranquility”... Jake answered back, trying hard to hide his fear, but being a friend of his gives me the privilege of knowing it.

“Haaa... That's good to hear, knowing fully well that you've got to put yourself together if you want us to solve this riddle once and for all in this one adventure”... I asked him

“Yeah buddie, I know, right? But supposing those animals comes out?”... Jake asked back slightly quivering.

“Don't be stupid Jake, that's why we'll make a fire to scare off any animal lurking around near here”...

“Wait... I thought you said you left your fear at home?”

“Waddoyou know, didn't leave it all at home”... He answered back smiling this time.

“I wouldn't want to go all fearless and not let my instinct kick in”.

“True, but it's balanced now, I being fearless and you having your instinct... That's all we need out here”... I replied him weighing my words for the first time that night.

*JAKE'S POV*

I was about to reply him when I heard twigs breaking in the distance.

“Oh... This can't be good Mason”...

“What's that buddie?” Mason asked not even looking up

“I think we're not the only one in this wood bro”...

“What do you mean?”... He asked this time looking me in the eyes and squinting.

“I think we've got companies”... I said back when I heard the usual thud reduce to light footsteps.

“C'mon bro... Did you believe what I said about your instinct so soon, I'm not about to be scared by mere instinct here”... Mason answered before lifting his head a bit higher and froze.

“What's wrong bro?”... I asked him not understanding why he froze that way.

“I think I heard a growl”... He answered, his face contorting into a confused one.

“Shit... We've got to return back bro, we can always come back to investigate”... A shaking me offered

“That's best bro, let's pack up fast”... Mason replied shaking as well

I tried to stifle a smile seeing him cower when he said he wouldn't no matter what.

"Growls"

“Be fast about it bro”... A shaking Mason said.

Before I could reply him, I was met by two glowing red eyes

“Mason...”

“Yes...”

“RUN”...

We both ran, different direction...

But I was still hearing the footstep... On instinct, I turned back and flung the metal detector I was holding, not waiting to see if it would hit any target.

I was satisfied when I heard an annoying growl.

The footstep grew more and more audible with the realization of being a prey to this beast pursuing me.

I was about to avoid hitting my head on an hanging branch when I lost balance and tumbled forward. Before I could pick myself back up, I felt an excruciating pain at my side. I rolled over in pain, realizing that I'd been bitten by God knows what a beast.

My eyes came in contact with the same glowing red eyes I saw earlier, the beast was looking at me like it was assessing it prized prey. I smiled cos I wasn't giving this red eyed beast any satisfaction, no matter how small it is.

I remembered I kept a pepper spray inside the jacket I wore, not cause of this whole thing, but cos of the bullies I've always encountered when Mason isn't close by.

I brought it out, The beast following my hands out of my pocket and snarling as soon as I brought the pepper spray out... I waited for the right time to use, because I know that one wrong use of it can be my death.

Then... It lunged pinning me to the ground, I quickly sprayed it eyes with the pepper spray and rolled off fast, before it claws almost tore my face. I closed my ears as a blood curling howl came out of the beast. I took that as a cue and ran in the opposite direction, believing my instinct for a way out of this mess.

A pain shot through my lower abdomen bringing me back to the reality that I've been bitten.

“Lord help me get out of this shit alive”... I said it out aloud not sure if God was gonna hear at all.

I hadn't ran for long before I heard the advancing footstep again...

“Oh my God, how'd this thing regain it sight so quick"... I asked myself trying hard not double over from the pain I was feeling.