The day it happened - Part 3 (Evening)

My jeans were getting muddy as I climbed over the gate and through the field. I needed to be alone right now, although in truth I would have taken this shorter route home anyway just to see the horses. I hadn’t come this way in a while, so was surprised to see it looked so busy. In the dusky light I could see a dozen or so caravans parked alongside the edge of the field. I hesitated - should I turn back? No, it was my field too, I thought stubbornly as I carried on. Besides, I could see Thunder in his paddock in the next field along. In the dark I could barely make out his form, but I recognised his brown mane instantly and he obviously recognised me too as he started whinnying, no doubt in anticipation of the carrots I usually brought him. Suddenly, out of the blue, a small dog-like creature with dark red fur ran across my path. Its tongue was lolling out and it was panting hard. It instantly stopped when it saw me and looked directly at me. It had made me jump out of my skin. “It’s just a bloody fox,” I laughed, even though my heart was thumping. “Chill out, for God’s sake!” I told myself. It resumed on its journey and vanished as quickly as it had appeared into a thicket by the side of the field. It was getting really dark now and I could see the full moon rising on the horizon. There was a group of men standing around one caravan, talking in low voices and warming their hands around a camp fire. A group of grubby looking kids ran around the fire, chasing each other and screaming. They all looked at me. One of the men who had particularly crooked teeth said something, but I didn’t understand him. This is a stupid idea, I told myself, but I kept on walking and tried not to look intimidated. I finally got to the last caravan and just over the fence I could see Thunder waiting for me. I breathed a huge sigh of relief, but at that same moment I heard a long mournful howling coming from behind the caravan. A door opened and the most wizened woman I had ever seen came out. She had nut brown skin with deep grooves, white hair, and beady black coals for eyes. She glared at me coldly before carrying on, muttering under her breath. She walked out of sight behind the caravan and then I heard a huge commotion. The dog (or whatever it was) was going crazy, barking and yelping loudly. I could hear her shouting at it but couldn’t make out any words, although it sounded like the crone was cursing the poor creature. Then, a thumping noise and more barking. Further thumping noises and yelping again. It was awful to listen to. I knew this was none of my business, but I couldn’t just stand by! I ran behind the caravan where I saw the most beautiful dog I had ever seen being beaten by the old woman who brandished a large stick at it. “Lucy, you stupid idiot!” I said to myself, but it was too late now - I was involved. “Stop that!” I shouted at her. The dog looked at me and seemed to be pleading for help. It was a large white Alsatian or Husky type dog, with deep amber eyes that pierced me right to my soul. The woman ignored me and aimed another blow at the dog, who managed to dodge it. I noticed then that it was tied to a metal railing with a thick rope which was pulled taut as it ran left and right trying to avoid the mad old woman. It barked fiercely at her. I stepped closer. “Leave it alone you miserable cow!” I shouted, unable to stop myself. I ran over to the railing and started to work on the complicated knot that kept the rope tied to it. My fingers felt thick and clumsy as I worked furiously to try and loosen it. Meanwhile, the dog danced around wildly, trying to avoid its tormentor and pulling the rope even harder. At this rate, I would never get it free. “Come on, come on!” I sat down and worked faster on the knot which was starting to give way. “You get away from here you stupid girl,” the old woman shouted at me. But of course, I was going to do no such thing so carried on. It was just about loose now. The old woman stepped towards me, threatening me with the stick. The dog pulled again at the rope and with a huge clash it pulled the rope off the railing which fell over. We all froze. I stared at the woman, who was in turn staring at the dog which was poised looking at her and snarling. She dropped the stick and started speaking in another language, slowly and quietly at first but quickly it became harsher and louder until it rose to a crescendo. She raised her head to the full moon in the sky, shut her eyes and let out a horrible high-pitched scream that came out of her ugly wide-open mouth and seemed to go on forever. I was freaking out now - this was crazy. She was probably going to kill me right there and then! I scrambled to get up. At least the dog was free now I thought, and she would get what she deserved. But instead of going for the old woman it ran straight towards me. “Oh shit, no!” Through a blur of thick white fur and burning amber eyes, I felt it bite down hard on my arm. Harder and harder it bit down, until I swooned and lost consciousness as the blood poured out of me. The last thing I remembered was whispering “Happy birthday to me!” I always did have a weird sense of humour.

PROLOGUE - The Story of the Shadow Wolf

And so the legend goes… (sometime around 5000 years ago)

She walks alone, tiptoeing around the edge of the fire, afraid to be burned, but also afraid of the cold. Round and round and round she goes, pacing madly until she breaks into a run. There he is- he has come. He follows her wide circle but keeps to the darkness, a shadowy form no-one else can see.

They both run around the fire, their heavy breathing matching perfectly. In the corner of her eyes, she sees his amber eyes fixed on her. She is his mistress, his benefactor, his all.

One in darkness, one in light- they are parallel predators and friends of the night. Circling the fire they become as one. Not close enough to touch, but close enough to see and smell each other and feel each other’s presence…

Suddenly, the shadow jumps into the circle, knocking the girl down. The others around the fire look up in concern- why has she fallen to the ground?

They see nothing untoward: no shadow or wolf in sight. Instead, the girl stands up, a wicked smile in the darkness, that instils fright.

A Super Blood Wolf Moon

It must have been a premonition. The same reoccurring dream, over and over again in a moonlit forest… It woke me up early in the morning and as I looked out of my window, I remembered tonight was a special night. There it was: lunar totality, happening right there and then in front of me. I wondered what it meant as I felt a shadow fall across my heart at the same time. All seemed to fall silent, and time seemed to stop, as I waited in suspense for the moon to reappear.

Wolf-Beat

Between the thick trees on a moonlit hill,

A flicker of grey threads its way to a shadowless glade

And sits itself under the vastness of a crisp sky-

A lone, pitiful cry shatters the silence.

The pounding of its heart gives a vibrancy to the air,

Which is still and sharp in the frozen forest.

Its head is thrust back to utter deviancy,

And its sorrowful eyes yearn an intense pity.

This creature is not one of the pack:

It is lonesome in its desolation and anguish,

And gladly would it tear down that yellow, teasing moon,

And rip it to shreds in its anger and fury and pain.

Survival so raw and wild that it holds no bounds.

And when breathless midnight chases stop the steady flow of time,

Then the Wolf closes in for the Kill.