Chapter 71 From the sky
Aloria
I am standing out on the grassy area by the forest, watching my brothers, Arly and Arthenon, play with the other children of the pack. Laughter fills the air, a sweet symphony that makes my heart swell with joy. It’s a sight I’ve longed for, one I thought may never come to pass. After years of living in hiding, shrouded in shadows and fear, they now have friends, a community that welcomes them with open arms. And it wants my heart that I have been able to give them that.
I lean against a sturdy oak tree, a smile stretching across my face as I watch Arly tumble to the ground, giggling as Arthenon playfully tackles him. The sheer delight in their eyes is infectious, and I can’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. They deserve this happiness, this freedom. It’s a promise I made to myself when I found them and they finally stepped out of the forest and into the light: I would do everything in my power to ensure they never have to hide again.
But just as I’m about to join them, a shadow flits across the ground, darkening the sun. I squint up at the sky, my heart skipping a beat. What I first thought was a cloud is, in fact, a swarm of massive birds, their wingspan casting an ominous shadow over the playground. My stomach twists in knots as I realize the danger they pose.
“Kids! Get back!” I shout, my voice rising above the laughter, urgency clawing at my insides. But the sound of flapping wings drowns me out. The children are still too caught up in their games, blissfully unaware of the impending threat.
Suddenly, chaos erupts. The birds dive down, talons outstretched, screeching with a ferocity that sends chills racing down my spine. I can’t process what I’m witnessing as the first child falls to the ground, taken completely by surprise. Panic surges through me, a tidal wave of fear and protective instinct.
“Arly! Arthenon! Get to safety!” I bark, my voice a guttural grow as I shift into my wolf, the familiar rush of power surging through my veins. My senses heighten, the world around me sharpening into focus: the scent of fear, the sound of flapping wings, the cries of the children. I can’t let them get hurt. I won’t let anything happen to them.
. My heart races as I bound forward, my paws pounding against the earth. The birds are swift, darting out of reach just as I lunge towards them. They’re too fast, too agile in the air, and I can feel my frustration boiling over.
I weave through the chaos, trying to keep my brothers in sight, my instincts screaming at me to protect them. But the birds are relentless, swooping down to grab any child they can reach. I watch as one of the older boys stumbles, a bird snatching at his shirt, tugging him off balance.
“NO!” I howl, launching myself into the fray, but just as I reach him, the bird releases its grip, and he falls, landing hard on the ground. My heart plummets as I see him struggle to get up, fear etched across his face.
I can’t think. I can only act. I sprint towards the children, dodging the birds and their relentless attacks. I can feel the wind from their wings ruffling my fur as they swoop past me, and I grit my teeth in determination.
“Stay close! Don’t run!” I bark as I change back, trying to rally the kids, but it’s like trying to herd cats. They’re frightened, darting this way and that, and I feel my panic mounting as more of them fall.
Arly and Arthenon are caught in the whirlwind of chaos, their eyes wide with fear. The sight of them makes my heart ache. I can’t let anything happen to them. I have to protect them. I have to protect all of them.
“Stay together!” I shout again, but my voice is lost in the cacophony of screams and squawking birds. I see another child tumble to the ground, and my breath catches in my throat. I can feel the panic rising, a choking fear that threatens to overwhelm me.
Time slows as I leap towards the nearest child, my instincts taking over. I can’t let them fall. I won’t let them fall. But the birds are relentless, and every time I think I’ve gotten close, they dart away, their beady eyes glinting with malice.
I can hear the cries of Arly and Arthenon, and it only fuels my desperation. I push myself harder, faster, but my heart sinks as I realize the even with my speed I can’t catch most of them. The birds are too swift, and the children are too scattered.
“Please,” I whisper to myself, the weight of the situation crashing down around me. I can’t let this happen. I can’t let them get hurt.
But as I watch, helpless, my heart races with dread as I see more of the children fall, their laughter turned into screams of terror. Panic grips me, and I feel my resolve slipping away as I realize how outmatched we are.
What do I do? What do I do? I can’t save them all!
The chaos swirls around me, and I feel like I’m standing at the edge of a cliff, teetering on the brink of despair. I can only watch as the birds continue their assault, and my heart pounds in my chest, echoing the fear that has taken root deep within me.
“Please, someone help,” I cry out, my voice mingling with the cries of the children, a desperate plea that hangs in the air as I brace myself for the fight of my life.