Willow
The big black wolf that protected me runs further into the forest, and he is followed by the other, more scary and bigger black wolf that looks at me like it’s mad that I exist.
“Don’t go!” I shout at the wolf which had turned into my friend, but it seems not to hear me, or it probably thinks I’m crazy.
I prepare to climb down the tree to go to help my wolf friend.
I look down and four wolves walk towards the tree. I freeze, hoping that they won't notice me, but they stand right under the tree that I’m on. I suspected that these wolves could communicate, but now I’m really sure.
“I know you guys understand me. I tried to threaten you with fake wolfsbane, but here you are, still fighting.”
The female wolf with dark brown fur growls in response, and the other wolves do the same.
“I can’t believe I’m arguing with wolves,” I chuckle nervously, and they growl amongst themselves.
Where is Liam when I need him to talk to the wolves or to translate?
“Liam?” I whisper, as if my words could summon him, but my days of coming here and him magically showing up in ten minutes are long over.
The wolf with the dark brown fur snarls at the mention of Liam. Does she know him?
I get glad that I took the bear spray, because I assumed that where there is one wolf, there might be a pack.
I move lower, wincing as my skin gets scratched by tree branches.
I sit on a big branch, and I press on the bear spray, while aiming at the faces of the wolves. They close their eyes and run in different directions.
I ignore the pain caused by the scratches, and I climb down.
When I get to the ground, I run, hoping to meet my friend before he gets killed.
Another wolf shows up while I run, and I use the spray without hesitation.
I suddenly hear growls, and my body freezes. This is not from a single wolf, and if there are more wolves, I’m going to run out of bear spray before I rescue my friend.
I spray a few wolves and the rest run away. Then, I see that biggest black wolf that threatened me. It is standing next to my friend, whimpering in despair. The grip on my bear spray tightens, but I’m unable to press on it.
It turns around and barks at me, its ferocious eyes alerting me that it means war.
“Look here, alpha wolf, I have noticed that you are an alpha. I have told my mom that if I don’t call within 20 hours, she should report this forest.” I say, trying to control my shaking voice.
It growls nonchalantly, as it moves towards me. I take a few steps back, my heart beating faster and louder than before.
What was I thinking? Wolves obviously can't understand humans and I have been delusional.
“You don’t believe me? I took a video and sent it to my other phone at home. My mom will check it. I don’t know if you know social media, but I assure you, it will be all over social media. This forest will be owned by mean people.” I make a gesture with my hands and facial expression to show what mean looks like.
The wolf stares at me while I wait to see if it is going to take any action, but it just stares, probably thinking that I’m crazy.
“So, what do you say? I am a person who keeps my promises.”
It nods while growling, showing that it is not happy with my blackmail, and I sigh with relief.
“Thank you. I won’t be able to move him. I’m going to get some herbs for my wolf friend, and you tell your pack not to attack me.”
It stands still, without any response.
I run to my friend who has sustained serious injuries, and I put my arms around him. My heart breaks, resulting in uncontrollable tears, but I still hold my bear spray up, alerting the wolf that if it ever moves, I will press.
I get up and notice that I’m covered in blood from the wolf’s bleeding. “You are going to be okay.” I say between sniffles while still holding my bear spray. It opens its eyes a little and closes them.
I take out my dried yarrow and cayenne pepper mixture that I made for my zoology and botany class. Then, I go to collect water and aloe. When I get back, I find the alpha wolf still waiting.
“Thank you.” I say, and it snarls before it leaves, showing dissatisfaction.
I wash the wolf’s wounds, which are healing incredibly fast, and I light a fire to warm myself and to keep the wolves away.
I sit under the tree, while checking up on him every hour, and I hold the bear spray in my hand while I wait for any action from other wolves.
I suddenly feel a breath on my cheek, and when I open my eyes, I discover that it’s morning, and I fell asleep. Then I look at the wolf that has completely healed.
So this is basically a forest filled with wolves that heals fast and they understand humans?
“You awake?” I try to smile, even though I feel hunger and tiredness.
“You are the smartest pack of wolves. I wish you could stay here with your pack, but I don’t trust them.”
It whimpers while nodding.
“We have to go then. We will plan something on the way.”
I get up, and I clean the area that I have been using for fire and stuff. Then, the alpha wolf arrives with a few other wolves.
“Thank you very much for your hospitality. You will never see me again.”
They snarl in response.
I walk away, with the wolf following behind me, and when we are no longer in the forest, I call a moving truck so that I can get to campus with my wolf.
The truck arrives within ten minutes and finds us under a tree. The wolf is laying peacefully, and I am also laying next to him, while using his fluffy neck as a pillow.
The driver eyes me suspiciously and runs back to his car. I get up and follow him.
“I promise, he is harmless.” I try to shout, but my tired voice comes out as a whisper than a shout.
I run towards the car with the last amount of energy that I have, and I knock on the window, which he lowers a little.
“Please. My friend was here for a hunt, at the forest. I was waiting under the tree and it placed his hunted animal on me.” I point at the blood on my clothes.
“Do you want it to kill me?” His eyes widen.
“It’s harmless. It has been my pet since I was a baby. Please...”
I hear its growl of disapproval when I mention “pet”, but I ignore it.
The driver gets out of the car and opens the back of the van, and I smile a little when I notice his trembling hands.
The wolf gets in and he quickly closes the doors of the truck.
When I arrive on campus, I murmur my “thank you” and I pay him extra for his distress.
The walk to the dorm rooms feels so long, and I suddenly see people looking at me through their windows, as if they have been alerting each other.
I look down at my bloody clothes, and the giant wolf next to me. Then, I already know that my friend would not stay with me for that long.
I run a shower for it, and it stands still, enjoying the water. I then let it stand aside when it’s my turn to take a shower. It looks away when I take off my clothes, and I chuckle.
After taking the needed shower and a quick hair wash, my stomach grumbles, and the stomach of the wolf grumbles as well.
“We are going to ea...” My words are cut short by the knock which makes me sigh in frustration.
I crack open the door, and come face to face with Professor Malino, the queen of experimenting on animals herself.
“Hello professor,” my voice shakes. I hold the doorknob, to ensure that she doesn’t try to get in.
She chuckles, but I still I stand and look at her through the crack.
“Hello. Can we talk?” She smiles warmly, and my stomach churns.