First Wave

Time slowed, as the rustle of leaves and branches slowed to a halt, the pink Turkish sky of night approached as the yellow gleam of the sun fell behind the towering trees in the silent forest, leaving behind ten pairs of burning red eyes lavishing the meal in front of them.

The 4 beasts raged across the campfire, their hulking steps making the earth tremble and buckle. While the alpha prowled the edges of the campsite, its glowing eyes scanned the chaos with detached curiosity. 

Cries, shouts and begging resounds through the jungle as the wolves pounce towards the elder group who had been huddled together. 

Josh, a tall but average-built man and one of the group's more resilient members, stepped forward toward the wolves. He puffed out his chest in a feeble attempt at ferocity, before stumbling forward from a push against his back, hidden amongst the two other elderly ladies behind him. 

Two beasts sank their jaws into his neck. His scream cut off abruptly as they dragged his limp, bloodied body into the shadows of the forest.

Michael turned toward the battle, the shock finally breaking his paralysis, as he watched the frantic push, leaving for the wolves as he was mauled by those he tried to protect.

Michael lunged forward, pulling the children behind the elderly couple. He ignored the atrocity that had just unfolded, fiercely gripping one child's arm. The boy squealed in pain as Michael ripped him away. A wolf circled the children, its mouth salivating in excitement. Then it pounced, barreling through the elderly couple. One of the women ran behind Michael, screaming and crying. 

The wolf ignores the petrified old lady as she falls to her knees, as the wolf ruffles its nose in disgust before the beasts turns savagery towards the kid besides her, it mouth enveloping the kid head as the wolf tears it off leaving the quiet sobs of the final child on the other side of the lady.

Michael froze for a moment, the gruesome sight of the child's headless body searing into his mind. He forced himself to move, his legs trembling as he reached for the children. His grip was too tight—one boy squealed in pain—but he didn't loosen it. He couldn't risk losing another

A light touch on his shoulder jolted Michael. He turned his head slightly to see Sophie's trembling hands reaching for the child. 

Without a word, he handed the screaming boy to her, forcing himself to focus on the wolves, years of hand to hand martial arts training flowing back into his mind as his body remembers the lessons drilled in.

Michael stood slowly, surveying the chaos around him. He focused on his breathing—'in and out, in and out'—until his mind quieted.

Michael watched Christopher and Joseph step up beside him. Christopher passed him a rock which Michael put in his pocket, as he watched Christopher's other hand drifting to the knife at his side, his eyes locked on the wolves' every move.

The three men face down the beasts, each hoping for extra support, before noticing the shivering mess of people behind them as they stare petrified at the gruesome beasts.

"They're clearly not going to be of any use" Michael grimly thinks, as he watches them shrivel in fright.

Looking down Michael notices the shivering mess of Alex wrapping himself in a ball and rocking back and forth staring vacantly at the child's body, before spewing his guts out on the side.

Michael reaches out to Christopher putting his hand on his shoulder whispering "the others won't help and we have only me, you, Joseph and Sophie…" a long pause as Christopher takes a breath, his eyes trailing the beasts as they begin to circle around us. 

The paws covered in thick sharp claws scraping against the ground, their breaths jagged and giddy for the meal presented to them, smiling widely as they got into formation surrounding within their semi-circle.

A low, guttural growl rumbled from the wolves as they moved. Their muscles rippled beneath thick fur, and saliva dripped from their jaws, pooling in the dirt. One beast's claws raked the ground, carving lines into the earth as it crouched, ready to pounce.

The beast slowly lifts its paw close to its face, slobbering all over it as it sucks the blood of its claws with a satisfied smile taunting us as it grinned ferally, before returning to its position within the wolves formation, eager for the kill

Both the people and the wolves watch as one brunette elderly person runs for the trees and the other one reaches for the last child, taking him in her arms, sheltering him in her arms as they try to sneak away. One side was ready to step in to protect them, while the other stared with a hungry grin on their face.

"I've got the knife," Christopher said, gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white. "I'll take the lead with Michael. But I need you, Sophie and Joseph to distract them—throw rocks, branches, anything you can find. If i get a clean shot at their necks, we might stand a chance"

"Joseph and Sophie collect rocks and branches to throw at the beasts while one of you rushes to protect the kid, okay?" A quick nod of confirmation was all they gave before they kept one eye on the beasts, while searching for projectiles.

The pair broke off from the two leaders, as Joseph tripped and his legs seemed stuck to the ground. Joseph's legs wouldn't move. He pounded at them with his fists, his heart hammering in his chest. Move. Move, damn it! But nothing worked. He was frozen—useless.

The stiffness started in Joseph's feet, creeping upward and locking his body in place. He couldn't move—couldn't breathe. Then, a warm touch clasped his arm, pulling him back to life.

Sophie radiant smile, gives light to Joseph's eyes as he feels his body stumbling forward, free from the fear plaguing him, as her hand pulls him along, with skin like velvet sheets.

Michael glanced back noticing Joseph's temporary plight and Sophie's gentle personality saving him, as she hid the trembling hand behind her back and put on a brave front. Christopher despite this lay standing tall and firm despite the chaos, a beacon to everyone else. The sight gave him a flicker of hope. Maybe they could survive this. Maybe.

The other brunette elder crawled away quietly on her knees, one hand clutching onto the kid's body like a lifeline and the other covering his mouth in a desperate attempt to suffocate the boy's whimpers and cries attracting the wolves attention.

The leftmost beast twitched an ear and let out a low growl, signaling the others. They turned away from Christopher and Michael, their heads swinging toward the wide-eyed elderly woman clutching the child. Her face turned ghostly pale as she hugged the boy tighter, pressing him to the ground. Then, one wolf lunged.

The beast's claws, stained red, tore deeper as it ripped into her back. Its jaws slobbered past her ribs, tearing at her flesh. She screamed and begged for the child's life, her voice breaking as she accepted her fate

Michael nudges Christopher, watching as he gazes towards the sight, his eyes cooling down to a cruel calm.

"Let's go. You two, cover us!" Christopher states his voice laced with authority as the duo turn to face the wolves crouching down in a fast but steady and quiet move towards the nearest wolf as it tries to get a piece of the screaming elder. 

Creeping closer Michael realizes they should have planned this, so Michael motions to Christopher, miming a jump and a bear hug before pointing to him and miming stabbing motions. Christopher furrowed his brow in confusion but quickly turned his attention back to Rachael's screams, his rage overtaking him. Michael sighed, hoping Christopher would figure it out.

Michael gritted his teeth, cursing Christopher under his breath. Just moments ago, he'd been barking orders—now he was charging recklessly. Michael surged ahead, determined to reach the beast first. If no one was going to stick to the plan, he'd make them follow one of his own.

He leaped onto the beast's back, slipping his arm under one armpit and locking his hands in a seatbelt grip. Crossing his legs into a backpack hold, he clung on desperately as the wolf bucked wildly, trying to throw him off. The stench of its fur—like a truck full of garbage—hit him, but he fought to stay on. 

He tightened his grip as the wolf thrashed wildly, flinging him around like a rag doll.

Michaels head pressed against its back, before noticing Christopher wild charge toward him, as he attempted to kill the beast.

"Wait until the perfect opportunity DO NOT HELP UNTIL THEN" Michael screams putting his hand up towards Christopher making a stop motion before realizing he just released his grip as he is sent flying by a powerful buck towards the front of the wolf his legs locking on the front legs of the wolf and with his upper body hanging right at the jaws of the beast as it grins psychopathically at Michael.

The beast snapped at Michael's face. He shoved its jaws aside, but its teeth tore into his ear. Pain exploded in his head as blood streamed down his neck, soaking his shirt. He bit back a scream, his vision swimming—but he couldn't let go. Not now. His fingers stabbing and clawing away at the beast eyes and using its ears too claw his body back onto its back, catching a few scratches as he feels the blood pump out of ear and down his cheek as he tightens his hold on the beast abandoning the seatbelt grip and going for a choke hold as the beast claws at his back shredding his old work clothes.

A sudden jerk to the left surprises Michael as he notices Christophe ripping and slicing at the beast's right hind legs, his body trembling in controlled rage as he clearly couldn't sit there for much longer watching me fight for my life. 

The beast swings its left paw slamming Christopher away as it falls on its side, its body trapping Michaels leg under the weight, causing him to tighten his grip and notices as the wild thrashing and clawing of the beast settles down, its chest rising slower and slower. 

Michael's shoulder slump in exhaustion relieved as he notices the weak resistance of the beast at its feeble attempt to fight him off. Before whipping his head towards the low growl of a second beast leaving the mauled flesh of the elderly lady, noticing its pack member dying it rushes towards Michael with a zealous intention to kill.

Panicking Michael reaches for the rock hidden in his pocket in a desperate attempt to finish of the beast below him not wanting to fight two at once, lucky the wrestle with the beast has put some distance between the other wolves, as Michael quickly grasp the rock and smashes it down across the temple again and again, the beasts small whimpers echo through the now dark night as it says it final peace to the world.

Michael shoved against the bloodied corpse, slowly pulling himself free from its massive weight. Before he could catch his breath, another wolf lunged at his neck without hesitation

I'm going to die… aren't I? The thought hit him like a punch to the gut. He'd fought, he'd tried—but it wasn't enough. He shut his eyes, bracing for the end, when—thud!

In his self pity, Michael barely notices the streak of a hand sized rock flying from a distance smacking the beast eye making it reel in pain, watching as Christopher emerges from the opposite direction of the rock seemingly gotten up from his hit.

Michael watched, stunned, as Christopher dodged another paw swipe. Moving faster than expected, he drove his knife into the wolf's neck, pressing his body against its form. He dodged the beast's weak, final attacks before shoving it to the ground

Michael's chest heaved as he stared at the stunned wolf. He hadn't even seen the rock coming. His hands trembled as he pushed himself upright, catching Joseph's smile from a distance. Relief washed over him, but it was fleeting—the wolves were still circling.

Christopher helped Michael to his feet, his strong hand pulling him out from the dead beast, as they rose for the challenge as the remaining two had finished the elder off, her remnant screams echoing in the still night as the two remaining wolves started hateful towards the two.

Their eyes burning with a desire to kill and positioned for vengeance, staring back at Christopher and Michael as they walk over their brothers bodies.

"We've lost the element of surprise. Don't die on me, Michael." Christopher states without looking at Michael, his eyes glued to the beasts.

"Yeah well… same to you Chris" Michael replies his voice shaking with exhaustion and some fear as they face off the massive wolves before them.

Wiping the blood from his face, Michael and Christopher took their stances, arms at the ready, legs poised as the wolves approached. Michael ducked under the wolf's incoming claw, quickly stepping to the left. He aimed a punch at its stomach, but the beast twisted, snapping at his arm. Forced to abandon his attack, Michael retaliated by hammering his fist into the beast's face, sending it stumbling to the side, dazed.

Seizing the opportunity, he clawed out the nearest eye, feeling its gooey texture burst in his hand. He ripped it free and crushed it within his grip. The beast reels in pain leaps back, shaking its head as the mangled eye flies side to side.

Michael glanced at Christopher's fight and noticed that, despite holding his ground, he had lost his knife. It was lodged deep in the beast's abdomen, and every attempt to retrieve it was thwarted by the snapping jaws of the raging monster.

Michael turned, shocked, as the beast's jaws clamped over his hand. His guard had been down for only a second—just long enough. Michael turned in shock as the beast's jaws clamped down on his hand. He had let his guard down for only a second—just long enough. Gritting his teeth, he shoved his hand deeper into the wolf's mouth, recalling an old trick: dogs can't bite if your hand is far enough back. Maybe it would work on wolves too.

Clenching his teeth, Michael bit back a scream as the beast's jaws clamped down on his arm, the pressure sending a searing pain through his bones—something was definitely fractured.. The pain was unbearable, a white-hot fire spreading through his arm. His breath came in ragged gasps. No time to think, no time to hesitate—just survive. 

Grabbing the scruff of the neck with his other hand, pulling the wolf closer as he madly bites down on the only other weak spot… the beast other eye, chewing through its eyelid and ripping out its eyeball, the beast freaks in pain letting go of its grip on his hand and swiping its claw along his side as it shoves him to the ground. Its screams echo shrilly through the campsite, as a small miniscule smile flashes across his face.

Michael looked up, adrenaline coursing through him, a soft ringing echoing in his ears. The beast thrashed at the empty air in front of him. Forcing himself not to look away, he stood up, trusting Christopher to hold his own.

The beast thrashing get weaker as it lifts its nose before charging towards Michael, a relentless charge that Michael easily steps to the right and pivots landing a clean blow against the monsters skull, making it trip in stumble, before catching up to it and smashing blows against its skull wincing every time his hurt left hand lands a hit, as he dodges its uncoordinated attacks, randomly guessing where he is through smell and sound.

Eventually the beast falls to the ground unconscious, with Michaels bloodied hands standing over it as he reaches for the belt around his waist slipping it free, he straddles it around it neck tightening it more as the feral beast awakens and weakly thrashes against its demise, its attacks amounting to nothing more then light scratches along Michaels arms, before drifting off to its eternal sleep.

Michael stands up noticing Christopher's unconscious body on the floor with a red patch of blood dying his black hair with the wolf he was against gone.

Twisting his head around sharply, Michael looks around, confused and dazed feeling his own head injuries slowing his perception of the world around him. Before he turns towards the group of three hidden at the back of the campsite previously free from dangers only to notice Joseph and Sophie resting next to the remaining wolf that lay dead with a slash across its neck with Alex sitting on top of the beast, twirling his knife in his hand resting with a long slash down the left of his face.

The wolf must have knocked Christopher unconscious and charged toward the largest group of people. Joseph and Sophie must have chased after it, which explained why Michael had received no backup. Somehow, Alex snapped out of his grief and used Christopher's lost knife to finish the beast off.

"Weeeee SURVIVED!" Michael shouted, thrusting his fist into the air like a certain number-one hero from an old show he used to watch. He felt a little ridiculous, but giddy relief washed over him, lightening the weight of their ordeal—if only for a moment.

Around him, weary smiles flickered across exhausted faces as the tension drained from their bodies. Michael let himself collapse to the ground, chest heaving, his limbs heavy with fatigue.

Yet, something gnawed at him—an unsettling feeling that he had overlooked something... something important.

As Michael collapsed to the ground, his eyes widened in shock. The Alpha loomed over him, saliva dripping from its fangs, a victorious grin on its face. He had fallen for its trap—completely.