Wolves

     I let out a long breath, watching the warm breath leave my lungs and hit the icy air outside. George, a Burmese Mountain dog, stuffs her nose in the snow and digs around jumping through the freshly, fallen, white, blanket. Pepper and Buddy huddle close to the door begging to go inside the house into the warmth, being much smaller dogs than George they didn't get the same pleasures out of the cold that she does.

     I open the door to let the two smaller ones in, they run inside but quickly turn around to watch George and I outside. I sit down on a small block of wood on the deck of the farm house, looking out at the open fields, the sun setting just behind the forest off in the distance; painting the sky with pinks and oranges. The sun sets so quickly at this time of year, it's only about 6 and it's almost completely faded from the sky, I pull my phone out of my coat pocket and check the time, 3 more hours until Matt, my boyfriend and the actual caretaker of these animals and this farm, will be home from his other job.

     I let out a long breath; this New Year will be brought in alone, because he works until midnight on the dot. I look out at George in the field happily rolling around her dark fur looking almost white from the amount of snow it had caked on it. As I watch her play, the sun starts to disappear behind the trees; darkness set upon the open fields and an aching feeling set itself in my stomach. I looked out at the fields and the farms nothing looked out of place, but I have only been here a few times before.

     "Come on George" I shout towards the happy pup, making my way towards the door. As my hand reaches the metal handle and begins to twist I hear something I have never heard come from George, a soft, low, growl.

     My heart immediately drops, I know something is wrong, both of the dog is inside the house begin yelping and growling, jumping towards the door. I turn around, my back to the door, with the little light left I can make out three large creatures stalking towards the house in the dark. They're bent low and moving fast towards George who is in a defensive stance in the snow.

     "GEORGE, INSIDE" I scream at the dog who appears ready to pounce, "NOW!" I yell at her again, the three creatures speed up and begin to run towards us making their way into the porch light. They stand tall, stopping about 5ft away from the trembling dog. Wolves, growling and slobbering, they hunch they're backs preparing to attack. Everything moves in slow motion, as I turn the handle on the door reaching my arm into the umbrella holder grabbing out the first thing my hand wraps itself around.

     As I reach in, one wolf leaps forward towards George, but she turns towards me causing the animal to miss her by inches. The wolf lands in the snow and immediately launches towards George again, as she's running towards me. I look in my hand and realize I have grabbed a shoe horn for protection, before I have time to realistically think about my situation, I run towards the wolves and dog, one wolfs jaw now firmly clamped on Georges left back paw.

     I swing back aiming at the wolfs' face, hitting it square in the eye, it yelps and releases George's paw and the other two launch forward. I grab Georges collar and yank the dog towards the door, she limply runs with me.

     All three wolves are right behind us, I can hear their growls so close; they sound right next to my ear. I reach for the door handle opening the door with quick precision and shove the dog in ahead of me, as I try to get myself through the door one of the wolves leaps towards me, clasping his strong jaw around my arm. Without thinking I turn my body slamming the heel of my hand against the wolfs nose and kicking my leg out hitting it in his muscular neck. He releases my arm; long enough for me to get behind the door and slam it shut.