13.2 Aid

As the days continue progressing, you find yourself coming to a quiet understanding with the otherwise stubborn man. Unfortunately, food is growing scarce and you haven't seen any wildlife since entering the forest. You can tell the lack of substance is weighing heavily on the both of you, causing some agitation to return. Deciding not to wait on the man, you wake early one day and silent slink off. While hunting alone is hardly ideal, you feel it will provide some much needed time away. You're sure if one more argument were to arise it would only end in irrevocable strife.

The seasons appear on the cusp on change as the mornings are growing slightly cooler. The gentle breeze moving past provides much needed relief from the otherwise constant heat. Letting out a sigh of relief, you quietly move deeper into the thick. Eventually, you start feeling like yourself again now that you're free from the unexpected stress this journey has brought. Now that your mind has become more clear, it becomes easier to consider the issues at hand. While you've become increasingly annoyed by James' impatient nature, you can't but admit to portraying a similar behavior.

You had thought initially that your agitation was primarily due to your circumstance and constant bickering. Unfortunately, you're quickly realizing a great deal of your tension is far more complicated. Though you hate to admit it, an unexpected longing has built up inside you. A constant feeling of want has been nagging at the back of your mind since the day you nearly parted ways. It wasn't until then that you became somewhat aware of a grown attachment to the man. It's true he's not always the easiest to get along with, however, something about his direct and uncensored approach is surprisingly appealing.

You're completely lost in thought when a sudden shiver runs down your spine. It's been sometime since you've had the feeling of being watched. Thankfully, your senses seem to be sharper than your mind. Pausing your steps, you slowly tighten your grip around your makeshift spear. If something is taking the time to observe you, then it must view you as prey. Inhaling deeply, you slowly turn around. Nothing but thick brush is to be seen, making you all the more nervous. What are the chances you'd run into a predator the one time you're alone. Tentatively, you begin backing up towards a nearby tree. Having some protection will be necessary since you're hardly sure what you might be up against.

Sudden rustling from ahead quickly puts you on the alert. Before you can focus, a sudden flurry of movement bursts out before you. Gasping, you quickly raise up your weapon defensively. By some sheer luck you're just barely able to block off an impending blow by the wild adversary. Blinking in surprise, you're both shocked and dismayed to find yourself fighting of a large gray wolf. It's quite skinny but nonetheless ferocious. Its shiny fangs are clamped around the handle of your spear, chomping ruthlessly. Whimpering softly, you try to summon enough strength to push it away. Until you regain control of your weapon you're at a great disadvantage.

Twisting slightly, you're finally able to wrench the object away from the beast. Unfortunately, the creature is far quicker than you could have imagined. In an instant its jaws have locked around one of your forearms. Struggling to maintain hold of the spear with your dominant hand, you're acutely aware of how much trouble you're in. Realizing you'll be unable to move the spear in the right angle, you quickly drop it. Leaving all sense behind, you use your free hand to try to pry the wolf's mouth open. Blood and saliva coat your hand making it hard to get any kind of grip.

Unwilling to give up, you instead try jamming your knuckles against its eye. The animal growls and shakes its head, trying to move away while maintaining its hold on you. In the midst of your struggle you hear what sounds like movement in the distance. Unable to divert your attention from the fight at hand, you can only hope it's not another wolf. The creature sinks its fangs deeper, quickly distracting you from all other thoughts. Just as you're wondering how you will survive, the noise grows louder and something large slams against the side of the creature. You gasp out in pain as you're pulled down alongside the beast. You hear it whine slightly before the noise is replaced by a guttural rasp.

The grip around your arm finally slackens, allowing you to pull free. Groaning loudly, you manage to roll over and look up. Your eyes widen in surprise when you see James' concerned face looking down at you.

"Are you okay?" He asks, his tone uncharacteristically soft.

"I think so." You reply still in a slight daze.

You feel a hand slip behind your back before you're helped up. A slight wince crosses your face when your arm is jostled in the movement. You can see a frown pass over James' face before he crouches down and reaches for the injured appendage.

"This looks pretty bad." He remarks solemnly while gently wiping some of the blood off with the corner of his shirt. "Let's get you back to camp."