Page 88 of Born Savage

At least he’d calmed down, enough I could take a deep breath.

“Are they… coming back?” Her tiny voice nearly crushed me.

“Of course they are, honey. Don’t worry.” But I did worry. Even after hearing weapons being fired and minutes becoming longer, my stomach was in knots. Every one of them had gone to fight the beasts.

To protect the three of us sitting in this goddamn vehicle. We were sitting ducks.

My sword was in the back, the only weapon I felt truly comfortable with. “I’m going to do something, Wren. Just stay here. I just want to look outside for a second.”

She grabbed my shirt, her tiny fingers turning white from the pressure.

“No, it’s okay. I won’t go out of your sight. Just hold onto Jake for me. Okay? Less than two minutes.”

I didn’t know if she could tell time. At this point, what did it matter? I smiled as if nothing was wrong when my stomach was churning. She finally nodded, but her entire body remained shaking.

After another quick look out every window and seeing no sign of them, I crawled over the seat toward the back grabbing my sword. Jake was still agitated, his front paws placed on the seat, drooling as he peered over. Thankfully, he wasn’t barking. A plus.

“I’ll be right back.” I should have anticipated Jake’s response. The moment I opened the door, he flew over the back of the seat, knocking me backwards and managing to jump onto the ground. “Jake!”

Wren’s cry of horror left no room for error and no choice in what needed to happen. I had to go get him.

“I’ll grab him. Do not move. Do not leave this damn vehicle.” I knew I was yelling, likely terrifying her, but I was already frantic, panic threatening to settle in.

All I knew was the direction where he’d gone and I raced after him, stopping every few seconds to listen to sounds around me. Very quickly the area became confusing, every mangled tree looking the same, every shadow appearing ominous. I turned in a full circle, holding my sword with both hands.

I’d lost sight of the Humvee, somewhat uncertain of the direction back. “Jake. Come here, boy.”

A strange sound caught my attention. Then a whimper. They came from opposite directions. I took off running toward the sound, pushing my way through trees and jumping over debris. My pulse was racing, my mind spinning. If anything happened to the pup, I’d never forgive myself.

I ran as hard and as fast as my legs would allow, finally breaking through to a clearing. My eyes caught sight of the puppy cowering under some debris, his form tiny in comparison to the ugly, horrible beasts swarming around him, growling as they searched for a way to get to him.

With long claws, they were tearing at the rubble, peeling it away and gaining ground, bloody foam dripping from their jowls and razor-sharp canines.

While the sight was horrifying, I didn’t hesitate for a single second, issuing a battle cry before swinging the sword and moving closer. I caught the creatures by surprise, the force of my swing cutting one in two, pitching another back by several feet.

Every snarl and howl they uttered was met with one of my own. I fell into a choreographed dance, striking the beasts over and over again.

A sudden silence filled the sky, not a single creature moving. I took heaving breaths, slowly turning my head toward where the puppy remained. He popped his little head out, whimpering as he peered at me.

“It’s okay. Everything will be okay.” I moved closer, crouching down.

Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.

The sound came from nowhere but everywhere, wings shadowing the fading daylight. Just as I reached the puppy, dragging him into my arms, the creature made a sound I’d never forget, a horrible screech that echoed in my ears.

I was whisked off the ground and into the air, but instead of sharp talons, I’d been lifted by strong, muscular arms.

Pop! Pop!

Boom!

The three horrific sounds were followed by my scream.

With a hard thud, we fell to the ground, my arms still carrying Jake while a huge man had saved me.

Rage.

The sword was pitched from my hand, the angle and momentum driving the blade into the earth.