FREYA

My arms cling to my body, teeth clenched and legs too heavy to move. The cold out here smelt of death, like a morgue. For days now, I have survived solely on fruits. I’d eat any no matter the state I find it.. the fresh and rotten ones altogether. Every night came with its own struggle… like the nights I have to sleep under those uncomfortable bushy trees and the ones I had to try dodging the unstoppable rains.

But tonight was different. My body was at the point of shutting down completely. The heavy rains the night before made it difficult to move and it was as if all the fruits were running away from me. For the first time in three years, I had the taste of that hunger pangs again, sharp and painful.

“Not today please,” I warned when my stomach growled. It’s been six days out here, almost a week. Six days since I was thrown away like a murderer and lost my relations with all those I cared for. The wind blew, heavier than every other night and the trees swayed as though dancing to the movement of the wind.

“Ouch!” My painful scream echoed through the silence as the pain of the thorn shot through my body. I wiped the blood that was flowing from the wound with trembling hands and with hunger, licked the entire content from my finger but that wasn’t enough to quench my hunger. Just then, it hit me. The foul smell from something.. An animal maybe. Instinctively, I sank to my knees, sniffing desperately for where that smell came from. Then I saw it. My saviour. A small smile tugged my lips as I moved with the little energy in me. It was a dead rabbit, one that looked like it has been dead for days now.

Its intestines were already out in the open, body stiff from cold or perhaps rigor and its eyes took me back to the day that landed me here.

“I can’t eat this.” I muttered to myself, shying away from the animal carcass but her voice appeared out of nowhere.

“Eat it Freya.” It was so calm and soothing but sounded weak too. I just couldn’t trust any voice I hear even though my survival instincts were high and the only thing that looked like it could save me this night was the very one I was running from.

“Who… are you?” My voice came out crooked and hoarse. I needed to get myself some water and food too. “But not this.” I spoke to myself again, staring at what was left of the rabbit.

“I’m Ava, your wolf.” My eyes widened in surprise, a gasp escaping my throat at that very time. I finally get to meet my wolf but well, not in a welcoming situation.

“Don’t think too much, Freya. This is the only thing that can sustain us tonight at least, before they attack us.” I trembled this time around. Who are the attackers and why? I’m I finally going to die to put an end to this torture? Well, that isn’t a bad idea at all. I just hope they don’t make the death too painful.

“That’s enough, Freya.” Ava chipped in, a little louder this time. She sounded like a mother scolding her child and that little act somewhat calmed me. “Nobody is dying… not you nor myself so better brace yourself.”

“If death doesn’t come today, when else will it come?” My brows furrowed questioningly. “I mean the Moon Goddess brought me here for death to take me so why act all surprised?” I felt anger brewing within me at the thought of the Moon Goddess. At this very moment, tons of emotions kept swirly within me. I moved right from pain, then to anger.

“Such a cruel being.” I snorted in anger even though I felt drowsy. I felt Ava stir in my head, breathing weakly as though she was seconds away from dying.

“Save.. that strength for later Freya.” She whispered weakly and that was it. I couldn’t feel her stir anymore.

“Ava,” I called her but silence was the answer I got. “Ava,” Then again but still nothing. My hands felt even colder this time,panic clawed my chest and for a second my vision blurred. Was my wolf gone? With a mixture of fear and disgust, I crawled towards it again. This is to save your wolf Freya. I took a sniff from the dead animal and almost gave up eating it but the thought of Ava leaving me was enough to motivate me.

Slowly, I bent closer and scooped its intestines into my hands… then to my mouth. Just as it entered my mouth, I felt something hiss in my head. Like an animal, I aggressively tore the intestine and ate with the very last strength I had. Moments later, I felt as though something dead within me was revived.

“Aahh this feels so good.” Ava purred suddenly. “I thought you were at the brink of death?” I was shocked and found it fascinating how she was already moving excitedly in my head now after playing dead.

“That was just a trick to get you to treat me to that wonderful dinner.” I gasped at how mischievous she could be. She sounded so excited compared to when she spoke the very first time. Who would have thought I would find an amazing companion at this time of my life.

“You –” I was about to make a statement when Ava suddenly whimpered and cowered away in fear. “They are here Freya. I am too weak to help now but he wouldn’t watch them kill you.” Her words gave me goosebumps. Who are they? And who will save me?

Then I heard it. First footstep, then another and again. The ground vibrated with their footsteps and twigs kept snapping at each movement. My heart kept thrashing against my chest and my mind became a jumbled mess of thought. Then their smell followed… the smell of something darker, something so wrong…. And death.

Ava said he wouldn’t watch me die. Where the hell is he? Is he waiting for my skin to be torn into pieces before he comes?

Just like that, they came into view. They were in human form but their eyes were burning red. I crawled back, fear engulfing me. Those right here… were predators but just in skin.