Courage Gets You Nowhere

Prolouge

The wind howled through the barren landscape. The trees were stripped of their usual vibrant colors- the bark flaking off.
The morning dew lines the grass, making it glisten like the stars. 

Two figures could be seen on the tree line. They sprinted through the trees weaving in and out- dodging low-hanging branches. Their foot steps were almost silent.

The two were almost completely covered in mud. The larger figure lead the two. He was taller then the other by about a head. His hair was a honey brown. Leaving the natural highlights to glow in the morning sun. His skin was slightly tanner then the other, giving him a stronger look. His eyes we a vibrant green, almost the color of emeralds. They left anyone who stared at them enchanted by their beauty. He was lean, and slightly muscular. His muscles not as defined as they could be.

He called out to the smaller figure behind him, "Reagan! Keep up! I'm not gonna let our only chance of escaping that place go to waste!" The smaller figure grunted out the response," Zack, you know I can keep up!"

Reagan had olive skin, her nose and cheeks were littered with freckles. Her hair was a honey brown that would naturally ombre into a blond. Reagan's hair waved in the air following behind her, its length going down to her butt. Though, her most striking feature was her eyes. They were heterochromatic, giving her a mysterious aura. Her right eye was the same piercing, emerald green as Zack's. While her left eye was a strong and vibrant turquoise blue. Her build was thin, and lean.

The two sprinted down a steep hill, tripping ever so slightly. The tall grass whipped at their legs, leaving red marks along their shins. Their feet were cut and bruised- with their rags for cloths, torn.

At the bottom of the hill Zack spotted a hollowed tree, giving him an idea. "Reagan! Follow me! I found a spot we can hide!", he called out. He pushed his pace forward, not looking back at the smaller person. He sprinted for the tree, and ducked down into the hole of the tree. Reagan followed suit, but slide into their hiding spot.

They gasped for air, trying to calm their racing hearts. Adrenaline still pumped through their veins, giving them an edge to their senses. They looked to the tall grass outside of the tree hollow, the grass swaying ever so slightly.

Loud pounding could be heard in the distance, causing the pair to shrink down. They lowered their bodies to the ground as close as possible. Distant barking began to grow more clear and present. Horse's stampeding gallops grew louder, and louder.

Their breaths shallowed out, making little noise, they both clung to the other- terrified for their fate.

The rumbling sound of the pursuers grew louder, until they were nearly on top of them.
Dogs lead the group of pursuers right to their hollowed-out tree. The dog's barks silenced, and they pace outside of the hollow.

The horses that had been following them were forced to stop. The lead rider jumped down, and motioned the others to stay on their horses.

The atmosphere was tense, and deafening silent. The lead bandit's footsteps could be heard ever so slightly on the grass. The tall grass made brushing sounds against his legs.

The two in the tree hollow coward in fear to their approaching fate.

The air was still.

Reagan let out silent breaths as Zack covered her mouth with his palm. The two could hear nothing outside leaving them fearing even more.

Then the worst came.

A gloved hand came crashing through the grass, latching onto Reagan. The hand tightly gripped onto Reagan's forearm as she thrashed around.

"Zack! Help me!" Reagan screamed to her older brother.

"I'm coming!" Zack yelled in response, grabbing onto her left leg. Zack pulled with all his might. Trying to keep his sister from a horrible fate. Life had other plans.

Dogs came crashing in bitting onto Zack's arm. He grunted our at the dog's force in their teeth. Zack was forced to let go, and Reagan was pulled out of sight. Zack began to roll around throwing punches and kicking randomly.

The dogs were forced into retreat as they were struck by Zack's strong blows. He got to his hand and knees. Groaning from his wounds. Blood dropped down his face, and arms. Lacerations littered his arms and chest, the wounds soaked his already torn clothing in crimson blood.

He huffed to himself, and crawling it into the open. The sight he saw was terrifying. Reagan laid tied up to the farthest horse. The bandits looking ready to fight, and their dogs circling- looking ready for round two with Zack.

"So, are we gonna do this the easy way... or hard way?" The lead bandit asked, with a smug look across his face. Zack glared in response. Holding his ground in silent rage.

His eyes glanced over to his younger sister, observing she was awake, and relatively unharmed. He was pulled out of his trance as the bandit spoke once more.

"Well?" The bandit looked pissed off at this point. "What's you answer you mangy mutt?"

Now, even Reagan knew not to tease Zack about what he was. She was the same, but not as sensitive. Zack let out a low growl. His hair traveled down his back- growing in length. His height began to shrink, and his body stretched out. His mouth began to morph into a canines snout, a tail and ears sprouted from his being. His legs shrunk and hands turned into paws.

There he stood in all his glory. A larger honey brown wolf. With enchanting emerald green eyes. His tail held high, his faced contorted into a snarl. His fur raised along his back. Zack let out a deep, menacing growl.

The bandits stared in shock, with their dogs growling loudly. The horses began to buck and jump around. Terrified of Zack's new form. The dogs attacked as Reagan was thrown from the horse she had been residing on. She let out a yelp when she collided with the ground, and she groaned in pain after.

As the dogs charged at Zack, he readied himself for attack. The first dog leaped put him, only to have Zack snap his jaws around his throat. Having his teeth slice right through the dog's jugular.

As he did this, two other dogs went for Zack's legs. Biting down hard, causing Zack to drop the dying dog from his mouth. He bit down on one of the dog's heads. Receiving a whimper, Zack tightened his bite on the dog's head. The dog struggle for a second, then went limp, letting go of Zack's leg. Zack quickly dropped the dog, and went for the other latched onto his back leg. He bit down with as much force as possible on the dog's neck, snapping it instantly.

Once Zack freed himself from the dog's attacks he turned his attention to the bandits. They all had terror in their eyes, realizing this could be the end for them all. The lead bandit hopped on his house and quickly grabbed the reigns and snapped them, leaving the horse to sprint in the direction they had came from. Quickly followed by the other two.

Zack watched them with a distant expression as he watched them get farther and farther in the distance. He let out a huff of air through his nose and made his way towards Reagan.

As he reached her, he realized she was out cold, and still tidied up. He returned to his original form, and grumbled to himself. His began to untie Reagan almost instantly. As he did this he whispered quietly to himself, " don't worry... we are safe now..."