Havi peered out from behind a large Bristletow tree towards the large pit. Dry leaves crunched softly under his small paws as he came out from behind the tree and approached the clearing where the wide pit marred the forest floor. Mounds of grass sprung up around the edges of the pit where the earth had been disturbed and a few thin branches poked out from its depths. The pit was wide, taking up most of the clearing, and seemed to swallow the sunlight that pored through a break in the dense forest canopy.
Havi moved forward slowly on trembling legs. His small arms wrapped around his body in a protective manner and his head moved from side to side as he checked for any signs of danger. Thick grey fur covered his entire body and the triangular ears that perched atop his head spun about independently of one another like those of a dog. His appearance most closely resembled some strange mixture of lamb and dog although he walked on his hind legs quite naturally. He was small, a little more than two feet in height and so naturally frightened by the sound of a large creature's labored breathing that emanated from the pit.
He approached the pit despite his fear, his curiosity getting the better of him. He reasoned that anything that had fallen into such a pit would have escaped already if it was able to. He did not imagine any danger in just peering over the edge. This basic need to investigate was a product of his overactive imagination, which had landed him in more than his fair share of trouble. Curiosity demanded that he look to see what manner of beast had fallen into the hole.
Havi dropped down on all fours and crawled towards the edge. He peered down into the depths through a tangle of twisted branches and saw a large wolf laying on its side. It had reddish brown fur and long legs. Its scraggly mane was soaked in mud and dead leaves were strewn over its prostrate form. It was nearly eight feet in length from head to tail and obviously injured, the only movement was the rising and falling of its chest as it strained for breath.
"Take a good look." Said the wolf. His harsh voice pronounced each word slowly.
Havi leapt back away from the edge shocked that the wolf could speak. He had heard stories of talking wolves but never imagined encountering one on this side of the Tressle Ridge mountains. In the forests that spread across the base of the mountains there were very few wolves. In the stories the talking wolves never crossed the mountains. Havi had always counted this as a blessing since talking wolves were said to be far more cunning and dangerous that ordinary wolves. No one from his village had ever seen a talking wolf and so his curiosity took control again and he peeked over the side.
"Have you come to watch me die?" Asked the wolf.
"No." Said Havi. He saw that the wolf's hind quarters were impaled on one of many sharp stakes that lined the bottom of the treacherous pit.
"So you are merely curious then. Well, now you have seen the Big Bad Wolf in all his glory." Snarled the wolf with biting sarcasm. "Go away lamb-dog."
"My name is Havi and I am not a lamb-dog." He told the wolf as he edged along the side of the pit.
"I am a Moffet." He said proudly with growing confidence. He continued crawling along the edge so he could get a better look.
"You are a lamb-dog." Said the wolf who rested his head against the ground and closed his eyes. His hind quarters were covered in dry blood and his fur was matted and filthy. He had been in the hole for two days waiting to die.
"How did you fall?" Asked Havi.
The wolf opened its eyes again and shifted its weight with its front paws. The movement irritated its wound and its body convulsed with pain and than slumped back to the ground.
"I fell through the branches that were laying over this hole." Said the wolf.
"Couldn't you see that it was a trap."
"You mock me!" Snarled the wolf. "Why should I bother explaining myself to a stupid lamb-dog."
"I am not the one who fell into the trap." Said Havi. "I am not the stupid one."
"You are lucky lamb-dog. If I could move I would tear out your throat."
Havi became distracted by the conversation and careless as a result. The ground gave way beneath him. He tried to hold onto to the edge but the soft grass and loose soil crumbled under his weight. He fell into the pit. He slid down the curved wall into the muddy bottom ending up just a few feet from the mouth of the wolf.
The wolf's yellow eyes came to life and its face twisted in a viscous snarl as Havi tried to scramble to his feet. Despite the severity of its wounds, the wolf lunged forward, nearly tearing itself free of the impaling stake. Blood pored from the reopened wound as the wolf struggled to reach Havi with its snapping jaws.
Havi tried desperately to climb up one of the branches that rested against the top of the pit. The rotten wood snapped and he fell, barely missing a sharp spike. Leaves stuck to his muddy fur and twigs poked him as he scrambled away from the crazed wolf. His mind struggled for a solution through a flood of panic and terror.
The wolf had sealed its own fate as blood now coursed from its terrible wound. It was consumed by a need to kill. Its only desire: to steal away the life of the unfortunate Havi. Its last act would be utterly futile yet it strained with all its might, tearing at the fatal wound.
Havi screamed as he tried franticly to climb out. His hands came away with dirt and found no purchase along the soft walls of the pit. He looked back to see that the wolf was nearly free of the stake.
He could picture the moment when the wolf would free itself and lunge for him. He would be torn to shreds and die in this filthy pit. He would die here with the wolf and later his family would find them both. They would know what happened here. They would bare witness to his painful and humiliating death.
"Yes!" Cried the wolf. It had finally managed to tear itself from the stake. It came forward with an awkward lunge, limping as it dragged one mangled leg behind it.
There was nowhere for Havi to hide. He reached down and picked up a small branch pointing it at the wolf. He swung the branch desperately, trying to keep the beast at a distance. He was shaking with fright and tripped over a stone as he stepped backwards. The branch slipped from his small fingers as he landed in the mud and the wolf was upon him.
2007-02-26
20:44:04
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