The Wolf Inside

A man walks through a forest. His only company the sound of his dragging feet through leaves, and the rocks being kicked on the small path he walks. There is no fear in his face, only the tiredness of his body.

A howl startles him, and stops his shuffle. He stares into the line of trees before him, not able to identify where the sound came from. 

With the clouds clearing, and the moonlight lighting the pathway slightly; he moves forward. 

"It feels like I have been here forever" the man mutters as he trudges along. Staring at the ground. "I don't even remember how I got here"

There is another howl, this time deafening, and the man falls to his knees. Blurring his vision. As he stares at the ground he can hear a trotting sound. The rattling in his brain starts to subside, and he is able to look up. Straight into the eyes of a beast.

The wolf stares at him intensely. Seemingly confused at the mans presence.  The dark eyes of the wolf, meeting the blue eyes of the man shining in the moonlight. 

"Should you decide to end my life here, I will not struggle. Just leave nothing of me behind. This is all I ask of you" The man says into the snout of the large animal.

"I have no quarrel with you, I do not desire a fight. I have not the will to do so"The wolf refusing to break eye contact.

"Why do you persist in the waiting beast! I don't care anymore, I am going to perish in this forest anyways. I have traveled thousands of miles. Over the harshest terrain to be met with you. This, this is my fate!"The man lowers his head to be responded with a ferocious noise. 

Anticipating the pain he is expecting, the man winces.

 After a short period of time the man realizes that while the growling has not stopped he remains untouched. He lifts his head to see the quiet wolf in front of him again staring intently into his eyes. 

"Why?" questions the man. "I already stand upon deaths doorstep, why should the door remain shut?" The wolf turns, and slowly starts to walk away.

"Is my life that insignificant to even you beast, that you deny me my end?!" Screams the man after the large stature wolf. 

"To not even be worth a meal, the greatest insult in nature" The man rises to his feet. 

Walking after the wolf he slowly picks up speed, as does the animal. They trot through the forest. Trees passing by unnoticed. Shadows flickering over his exhausted face. The man intensely focused on the hide of the figure in front of him.