2

I held a giant club in my palm. It hung heavily on my shoulders. Listening into the late night, for a small creak in the floorboard. I tiptoed to where my bed lay across the floor. The image I saw behind me in the mirror kept flashing in my memory.

"Where are you? show yourself" I asked, my voice echoed with no response. The thumping of my heart against my chest calmed down but was still on edge. The sound of cries from the distance outside my door caught my attention, directing my gaze towards the front door.

What could be going on? I thought to myself.

I peeked through the hole that was meant to be my window. I could only see a thick mist of fog gathering around the place. A cold chill fell across the room when I recognised the mist.

I stepped back as if I had seen a ghost, my lips parted slightly. No, it can't be. My hands trembled and my knees buckled in fear.

They found me. I was going to die. I knew I couldn't make it this far. Frozen in panic, I rocked myself back and forth trying to comfort myself. I need to leave. I nodded to myself. Yes, I need to run away.

In haste, I crawled to my bed, sprawled on the ground. I lifted it to reveal the hollow floorboard that hid an emergency bag supply. Packed in case they find me instantly. I swung the bag over my shoulder, rushing to the door.

I ran into the mist. Everyone headed in one direction. The safe house. It was complete chaos out here. , an underground house big enough to house all the members of the pack in case of a threat. It was futile to make my escape now, deciding to take refuge in the shelter. I followed the anxious crowd. Due to their panicked state, ran into one another. The fog was too thick to make out what was in front of me. I slipped over something crashing to the ground. Some people crashed into me as they ran. Just across where I fell lay a body. My hands went to my mouth in shock. On the floor laid the pack doctor. Picking myself up quickly I stood up to go to the safe house.

I reached the gates of the safe house, where the enforcers, wolves as strong as tanks, and the soldiers of the pack, stood protecting the entrance to the shelter. Everyone rushed in a panic. I was the last few to get there. About to enter only for my entrance to be blocked by the enforcer guarding it. I looked at the enforcer who blocked me from entering. I remembered him, he came to the clinic this morning. He had never liked outsiders who seek refuge in the pack. With folded arms towering over me with his size.

"Only pack members are allowed" he grunted.

"Please let me in" I pleaded. Others were allowed passage in while I was left out.

"Get out of the way," someone shouted as they pushed me aside out of their way. Clutching my bag tightly. I don't want to die today. I tried to force my way but he grabbed me by the arm, effortlessly swinging across the floor away from the gate. I crashed to the ground rolling onto my side. I groaned in pain still picking myself up. I dragged myself to the gate.

"Beat it mutt, we have done our best to be hospitable. You are on your own now." He snarled at me.

"I beg you please." If I stayed out here they would come for me. I grabbed onto the lower foot of his leg, holding on to his life as he kicked violently and clawed my body away from me. "Please let me enter, I don't want to die. I beg you"

Clawing into my skin with his extended claws, I fought to hold on regardless of the pain he inflicted. Another enforcer came out covered in sweat.

"We need to close the gates" he shouted at him.

"You dang mutt, I will kill you if you don't let go." He struggled with me at his feet.

Seeing a small opening between them, I crawled my way into the shelter. He growled, going after me but was stopped by the other enforcer.

"We need to close the gates, let her be for now" he hesitated, letting out a frustrated growl before conceding. I managed to get in. They closed the gates in time hearing a deep howl from the forest around. Then it grew silent the mist seeped in through the cracks in the wall. Creating an eerie tension all around.

Deep inside the underground shelter, I sat by the wall giving myself a distance from others. Even amid chaos, some others grumbled at my presence. I expected that much. I ignored their hostile gaze at me satisfied with the fact I was safe.

"Mummy is that the outsider," a child said to his mother. She drew the kid nearer to her side.

"Yes honey" she answered, "stay away from it. They are dangerous"

The caretakers went around serving food to everyone and taking care of the injured, excluding me. As an outsider, I was not entitled to get any form of care until the pack members had been settled. It was going to be a long wait.

My limbs were sore and ached. I didn't notice how tired I was. My eyes felt drowsy from lack of sleep. I fought to keep them open only to fall into a deep slumber.

CRASH.....

"ESCAPE EVERYONE!!!"

The enforcers shouted, and everyone's head raised in alarm. I jumped up in fright from my sleep. The fog from outside had filled the place and a tall dark wolf-like figure stood its bright eyes could be seen through the mist. Its jaws went down on the enforcer taking him whole. It took a second before everyone realised that we were all in danger. They all scream running towards the second exit.