Chapter 5 Saved
Dust
I brace myself for the worst, my heart pounding in my ears as I close my eyes, surrendering to the inevitable. But just as I feel the rogue’s breath on my skin, the weight on my chest suddenly vanishes. I gasp, my eyes flying open to see a magnificent wolf, its fur shimmering silver under the moonlight, clamping its powerful jaws around the rogue’s neck.
The rogue howls in rage, caught off guard as the wolf drags him away from me, throwing him against a nearby tree with a sickening thud. I scramble backward, shock and disbelief coursing through me. The wolf stands tall and poised, its eyes burning with fierce determination, and I can hardly comprehend what’s happening. Is this real? Is this another trick of my mind?
The rogue recovers quickly, shaking off the initial shock. He lunges again, snarling, but the wolf is faster. It dodges to the side, muscles coiling with precision. I watch, breathless, as the wolf counters, snapping its jaws just inches from the rogue’s face. The rogue, fueled by madness, retaliates with a wild swipe of his claws, but the wolf is agile, leaping back, darting around him like a shadow.
“Come on!” I whisper, urging the wolf on. I can’t believe I’m hoping for a creature I’ve always kinda feared, due to how the pack has threated me, but in this moment, it’s my savior.
The wolf lunges again, this time sinking its teeth into the rogue’s flank. The rogue screeches, thrashing violently, but the wolf holds firm, shaking its head from side to side, tearing at the rogue’s flesh with primal ferocity. Blood splatters, painting the ground beneath them, and I can barely breathe, caught in the tension of the fight.
The rogue, desperate and furious, manages to shake the wolf off, turning with a wild, crazed look in his eyes. He charges again, and I can see the madness burning within him. The wolf stands its ground, muscles tense, and then, in a breathtaking display of skill, it springs forward, meeting the rogue head-on.
They collide with a bone-crushing force, and I flinch at the sound. The rogue tries to claw at the wolf’s face, but the wolf is a blur of motion, twisting away just in time. It counters with a powerful bite to the rogue’s throat, a move that makes my heart race with hope.
“Finish him!” I try to shout, my voice cracking, desperation lacing every syllable. I’m not sure if the wolf can hear me, but I need it to know that I’m rooting for it, that my life hangs in the balance. I feel tired and kinda dizzy, and I assume it is due to my injuries.
With a final, furious growl, the wolf shakes its head violently, and I see the rogue’s eyes widen in horror as the wolf’s teeth pierce deeper. The rogue’s body convulses, and he lets out one last, desperate howl before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
I stare, heart racing with disbelief, the victory washing over me like a wave of relief. The wolf stands over the fallen rogue, its chest heaving, breathing heavily, and I feel a rush of gratitude. I’m alive. I’m safe.
But then the wolf turns its gaze toward me, and my breath catches in my throat. The moonlight glints off its brilliant fur, and in that moment, I see something familiar in its eyes… something that makes my heart leap.
“River?” I whisper, my voice barely a thread.
The wolf’s form begins to shimmer and blur, and before I can process what’s happening, it morphs into River, his human form emerging from the creature’s majestic silhouette. He stands before me, panting, his eyes fierce yet filled with concern.
“Dust!” he breathes, rushing to my side. “Oh God, what happened?” His hands grip my shoulders, and I can see the fear etched on his face as he takes in my injuries.
“I- I thought I was…” My voice falters, fatigue crashing over me like a tidal wave. I can feel the warmth of blood seeping through my clothes, and suddenly the world starts to spin.
“You’re safe now,” River says, his tone urgent yet soothing. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”
I mumble a soft, “You came back,” as the weight of exhaustion pulls me down. I can feel my eyes fluttering, the edges of my vision fading to black.
“Dust!” River’s voice is frantic, but it feels so far away. I want to reach out to him, to tell him everything is okay now, but my body betrays me. Darkness consumes me as I slip into unconsciousness, the last thing I remember being the warmth of his hands on my skin, the love in his voice echoing in the empty space before me.
And then, nothing.