I screamed as an incredible pressure clamped down on my thigh, dragging me to the ground. The pain was explosive, scattering what little hope remained like seeds before the wind. Long, yellow teeth ripped through my dress and sank into my flesh, sending agonizing gouts of fire through my leg.
The wolf shook its head, tearing further into my leg, before darting off, crimson blood spraying from its dripping muzzle. It vanished back into the shadows, leaving me crying and screaming on the ground, desperately clutching my burning leg. The blood wouldn't stop flowing, splashing out in thick spurts with every beat of my heart.
"S-stay back!" I sobbed, scrabbling back against a tree. I swung the staff around in an arc, hoping the glowing crystal would keep them at bay, but it barely gave the starving animals pause as they prowled closer.
