The forest is too quiet.

I clutch my backpack straps, my breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. I was supposed to take a shortcut home—just a shortcut. But now, lost among endless trees, every shadow feels like it’s watching me.

Then—SNAP.

I freeze. My pulse hammers.

Something moves in the underbrush. Something big.

Before I can react, a dark shape lunges.

I barely manage a scream before I’m slammed to the ground, air forced from my lungs. Heavy paws press into the dirt on either side of me. Hot breath fans over my face.

I look up—and my blood runs cold.

A huge wolf.

Dark fur, glowing golden eyes. It’s too big—too unnatural. I tremble beneath its weight, too afraid to move.

It doesn’t bite. Doesn’t snarl. Just… watches me.

I squeeze my eyes shut. “P-please don’t eat me…”

Silence.

Then—the weight lifts.

I crack one eye open. The wolf has stepped back, staring with that same unreadable gaze. It doesn’t run. Doesn’t growl.

Slowly, it picks up my fallen backpack in its jaws, carries it forward, and sets it at my feet.

Like it wants me to follow.

I should run. I should.

Instead, when it turns and disappears into the trees, I hesitate. Then, against every instinct screaming at me—

I follow.