Running Red: Lost Moon

Chapter 1: Get Started

His hands came out of his pockets. Pocket knife in one hand, the sound of the blade opening seemed to echo in his ears. He slid his feet apart, his body sinking into a ready stance when something barreled its way out of the underbrush nearest him. Levi let out a shout as he stumbled backward. The doe veered away from him and bounded across the road. The birds' sounds cried out as they took to the skies as another harsh wind cut through the trees. Levi could feel the adrenalin shaking his body. His breaths came out harshly as he twisted on his feet to look around. Something was out there. Levi took steps back, watching the forest line where the birds and doe had erupted from. His knife hand shook a little as he held it out in front of him.

It was when he heard and felt that hot growl on the back of his neck that he froze. Whatever it was, he hadn't heard it approach. He hadn't seen it leave the forest to get behind him. Levi slowly looked over his shoulder, and he sucked in a harsh breath. Not even three feet away stood a wolf the size of a bear with dirty dark fur. Levi had seen wolves. He had done an internship at the zoo in the last city he lived in. This, something was off about this one. Then it reared back on its hind legs and stood towering over him. Maybe it was that, or maybe it was the bright orange eyes watching him. Large teeth bared as a growl rumbled from its throat.

Thick clouds moved in front of the moon, casting Levi and the large wolf in shadows. He slid his foot back as the moon slowly reappeared. The wolf lunged, and Levi let out a strangled sound as his fist slammed against a snarling snout. There was a yelp, and Levi didn't look back as he ran. His heart slammed hard against his ribs. His fist hurt from where he punched the wolf. Felt like he hit a wall.

Levi crashed through the treeline as a snarl chased after him. He weaved around the trees and jumped over fallen trees and large bushes. His breaths came out harsh. It had been a while since he had to do a flat out run since he was hospitalized. His old coach would be disappointed. He just had to keep moving. He had to keep going.

Don't look back.

He could feel the hot breaths still on the back of his neck.

Don't look back.

He had seen the teeth, and it felt like they were already around his neck.

Don't look back.

It felt like the wolf was already on him even though he was still running.

Levi glanced over his shoulder.

Don't-

He let out a grunt as he bounced off something and crashed to the ground. Levi let out a wheeze and looked around, dazed. His eyes landed on a large wolf standing in front of him. His breath caught, and he scrambled backward as he lifted his knife to defend, only to find his hand empty. He looked around, trying to find it. His body flinched away when the wolf sat down. Why isn't it attacking? When it didn't come forward but instead cocked it's head to the side, Levi shuffled further back. It's not attacking. He didn't understand. His breaths were wheezes as his back hit something rough and solid.

The enormous wolf leaned forward to lay down, huge head resting on large paws. Levi slowly slid up the tree, trying to put as much distance between him and the wolf. He tried to catch his breath as he watched the large wolf. When it hadn't moved, Levi slowly started to calm down. Then he noticed the gold eyes peering at him. A large ear flicked, catching Levi's attention and then the soothing sway of a tail.

Levi swallowed thickly. "W-what are you?"

He reached up to cradle his head in his hand. "No, no, did I hit my head. Wolves don't normally get as large as bears."

A snort came from the wolf.

A twig snapped, and Levi and the wolf stilled. Those bright eyes darted to the side, its head not moving. Soon lips pulled back in a silent snarl, monstrous teeth bared. Levi slowly glanced in the direction the wolf was looking. He flinched back at the sight of the orange eyes glaring out from the shadows of the trees. Levi took a startled step away from the orange eyes. Only to jerk away when the golden-eyed wolf moved in front of him.

The wolf's fur was raised as a low growl rumbled out in warning. Levi took another step back when those orange eyes grew closer. Levi quickly shuffled back as the golden-eyed wolf lurched up onto two legs. This time a loud, snarled bark sounded from the wolf. Then the orange-eyed wolf lunged forward. Levi dove to the side to miss being crushed by the two massive wolves. He scrambled away before twisting around to keep the two fighting wolves in his sight. He watched as one wolf ducked under the other and lifted him up to slam him on the ground. Levi winced and took that as his cue to leave.

He quickly shuffled backward before darting away. The sound of a yip followed by a yelp caused him to push himself to run faster. He needed to put distance between him and the two wolves.

Levi didn't slow down until he stumbled over a rock. He caught himself on a tree where he leaned against the rough trunk. Taking in heaving breaths, he patted his pocket for his phone. When he couldn't find it, he gave a groan and then dug the heel of his palm against his forehead. It must have fallen out of his pocket. Giving a grumble, Levi turned to look at the forest around him. How was he to get home?

He gave a sigh. Looking up, he found nothing but tree cover. Levi gave a grumble, and he straightened his back and turned on the spot. He counted under his breath to five and stopped. "This way then."

Levi moved forward, picking his way through the woods. His feet crunching and making noise as he walked. He just had to keep moving forward. There had to be a house somewhere out here. Levi let out a curse when his foot hit a raised root, and he stumbled out onto a hiking path. He gave a relieved sound and looked both ways down the trail. Which way? He patted his pockets with a sigh and made a sound when he found a quarter in his jacket pocket. "Heads left, tails right." Levi flipped the coin just as a howl sounded. It grew louder and seemed to echo around him as the coin hit a rock on the ground, forgotten. Levi swallowed and turned, taking off to the left. The coin lay on the ground, tails up.

Levi was jogging down the path, hoping to come across something. Anything.

Then a large wolf crashed onto the path, and Levi swore when he caught orange eyes. The wolf lunged at him, and he dove forward under the lunging wolf into a forward roll. He popped up onto his feet and looked behind him in time to see the wolf pivot and come after him. He could see a sizeable gash across its face, and that was enough for him. Levi was just done with this night.

He was flat out running, and he already felt winded. After tonight he was going to start running more than once a week. All of a sudden, he heard a yelp, and he looked over his shoulder to see the other wolf slam into the orange-eyed wolf's side. The two disappeared into the treeline, and then his foot hit the air, and he was tumbling. The pain was everywhere. He finally came to a stop amidst broken tree limbs and rocks.

The sound of rocks and foliage rustling had him opening his eyes. How long was he lying there? He watched as golden eyes slowly moved closer. A cold nose pressed to his forehead, and he groaned. Levi reached up to touch his forehead only to wince when he pressed against the gash. When did he get that? Levi blinked up at the wolf who sat watching him. His hand fell to rest on his chest, and he watched as his vision blurred. The wolf was suddenly looking at him, concerned. Levi opened his mouth as words slipped out. "'m... tired..."

As it grew dark, he could hear a long howl.

Before he lost consciousness, he heard a low murmur as something warm wrapped around him. He sighed and thought, 'Mom's gonna kill me if I die.'

Hours later, the sun was starting to rise. The predawn light reached its way into the forest. The sound of a phone ringing could be heard. A hand reached down, brushing leaves away to show a ringing phone. The person picked up the phone and looked it over. The phone's screen lit up one last time showing Levi's face and a young female with long brown hair. The words 'missed call' could be seen on the small screen before going black. In the screen's glass, a face was seen in the reflection, golden eyes glowing in the pre-dawn light.