Chapter 4 - Strength

Erik's heart pounded in his chest as the reality of his situation sunk in. He was trapped outside, facing a monstrous black wolf alone. Panic surged through him, making his breaths come in short, shallow gasps. His legs felt like lead and his mind raced, trying to find an escape."Now, what the hell should I do in this situation?"The wolf approached slowly, each step deliberate and menacing because it knew that its prey wouldn't going anywhere.Its eyes, glowing with fierce light were locked onto Erik. Bloodlust radiated from the creature, its enormous jaws opened slightly revealing rows of sharp, deadly teeth. The low growl that emanated from its throat vibrated through the air, filling Erik with a primal terror.The wolf's massive form cast a long shadow. Erik could see every sinewy muscle ripple under its black fur as it stalked closer. The hallway seemed to shrink, the walls closing in as the beast approached.Suddenly, amid the chaos and dread, Erik felt an unexpected calmness wash over him. It was as if a soothing wave had passed through his body, dulling the edge of his fear.The sensation was strange and almost surreal, but it brought a clarity that Erik desperately needed. His breathing slowed, his mind sharpened, and he found himself focusing on the immediate danger with a calmness.He watched as the wolf coiled its powerful legs. In that moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion. Erik could see the muscles tense, the eyes narrow, and the snarl deepen. The beast prepared to launch itself at him.With a sudden burst of speed the wolf lunged, its massive body cut through the air. But Erik was ready. He sidestepped at the last possible second, narrowly avoiding the deadly jaws that snapped shut inches from his face.The wolf landed with a thud, its claws scraping against the floor as it skidded to a stop.Erik's heart still hammered in his chest but his mind remained clear. He knew he had to keep moving. The wolf turned with a furious snarl, its eyes burning with rage. It would not be fooled so easily again.As the wolf gathered itself for another attack Erik's mind raced with possibilities. The hallway was narrow, leaving little room to maneuver, but he had to find a way to use his surroundings to his advantage. He glanced around, noting the debris from the destroyed wall and the layout of the hallway.The wolf's growl grew louder as it prepared to charge again. Erik could see the determination in its eyes, the relentless hunger that drove it. He had to act quickly of he wanted to survive.Just as the wolf lunged again Erik darted to the side, grabbing a piece of broken rubble and hurling it at the beast. The stone struck the wolf's side, momentarily distracting it and giving Erik a precious few seconds to put some distance between them. He sprinted down the hallway.The giant wolf's growl grew louder behind him. The beast gave chase, its claws scraping against the floor. Erik could feel the wolf's hot breath on his back. The sheer presence of the creature an almost tangible force pressing against him.Erik was moving further away from the basement—the refuge that was now inaccessible. Panic threatened to resurface but he forced it down, focusing instead on his immediate surroundings. He had to find another place to hide or, somehow, a way to kill the beast.Despite the fear gnawing at him a strange certainty settled over Erik. He couldn't explain it but he felt a growing conviction that he could face this monstrous wolf and come out victorious. The calmness that had washed over him earlier returned, giving him clarity and focus.The hallway stretched before him, a seemingly endless corridor of lockers and classroom doors.Erik's eyes scanned the space frantically, looking for anything that could be used as a weapon or a place to hide. His mind raced with possibilities, considering every option in the blink of an eye.He spotted a fire extinguisher mounted on the wall up ahead. It wasn't much but it was something. Erik sprinted toward it, his legs feels like its burning. He grabbed the extinguisher off its bracket, turning just in time to see the wolf leap at him again.Erik aimed the nozzle and squeezed the handle, sending a blast of foam into the wolf's face. The beast snarled and recoiled, momentarily blinded and disoriented. Erik took advantage of the brief reprieve, swinging the extinguisher with all his might and striking the wolf's snout.He feels another surge of strange power coursing through his arms, making his attack stronger than it should have been.The wolf yelped in pain, shaking its head violently. Erik knew he couldn't rely on the fire extinguisher for long—it was a temporary solution at best. He had to find something more decisive.The wolf recovered quickly. Erik dashed into a nearby classroom, slamming the door shut behind him. He quickly scanned the room, his eyes falling on a sturdy metal chair.He grabbed it, positioning himself near the door, ready for the wolf's inevitable entry.The door shuddered as the wolf crashed into it. Its claws scratching furiously at the wood.Erik's heart pounded in his chest, but his grip on the chair remained steady. The door splintered under the wolf's assault, and Erik knew it was only a matter of time before the beast broke through.With a final, thunderous crash, the door gave way and the wolf barreled into the room. Its eyes locked onto Erik, burning with fury and bloodlust. Erik steeled himself, the metal chair raised high.As the wolf lunged, Erik swung the chair with all his strength that had already doubled or even tripled, aiming for the beast's head. The impact was solid, the metal connecting with a sickening crunch.The wolf staggered but it wasn't enough to stop it. The beast shook off the blow, its eyes narrowing as it prepared for another attack.Erik's mind raced, desperately searching for a way to turn the tide. He noticed a broken piece of desk leg, jagged and sharp, lying on the floor nearby.An idea formed in his mind—dangerous and reckless, but it was all he had.As the wolf lunged again, Erik dropped the chair and dove for the broken desk leg. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the wolf's snapping jaws. Grabbing the improvised weapon. Then he sprang to his feet, holding the jagged wood like a spear.The giant wolf growled, its movements cautious now as it eyed the new threat. Erik took a deep breath. Fog formed in front of his mouth.His mind eerily calm despite the danger. He met the wolf's gaze, his grip tightening on the makeshift spear.When the wolf lunged a third time, Erik was ready. He sidestepped the attack, driving the jagged wood into the beast's side with all his strength and a loud grunt. The wolf let out a pained howl, its body convulsing as the makeshift spear pierced deep.Erik didn't stop. He twisted the weapon, driving it further in, using the full force of his body.The wolf's struggles grew weaker, its snarls turning to whimpers. Finally, with a last, shuddering breath, the beast collapsed, its eyes losing their fierce light.Panting and covered in sweat and blood, Erik stepped back, staring at the fallen wolf.A mix of relief and disbelief flooding his mind. He had faced the monstrous creature and won, against all odds."I....I killed it."But the danger wasn't over. The howls of other wolves echoed through the school, and Erik knew he had to get to safety.---