Chapter 15 - Fear

Erik, Liam, and Mia made their way back into the building, their steps heavy and their bodies weary from the battle. They found a spot amidst the rubble and each of them slumped against the wall, their breathing ragged and labored.The once oppressive silence of the corridor was now filled with the sounds of their exhausted breaths and the occasional creak of the building settling around them.For a moment they simply sat there, taking in the calm after the storm. The adrenaline was slowly fading, leaving behind the ache of their injuries and the heaviness of their exertion. It was a much-needed respite, the quiet a stark contrast to the chaos and danger they had just endured.Then, breaking the silence, Liam let out a bitter, ironic laugh."Hahaha..You know, thinking about what we just did... it's ridiculous. We charged into battle against a giant wolf with nothing but an axe and a few rusty tricks," Liam said.Erik and Mia exchanged glances before Erik broke into a wry smile."Yeah, I suppose it was a bit reckless, and stupid," Erik admitted. "But we made it, though."Mia chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I guess we were all a bit crazy earlier. I mean, I used a crowbar, for crying out loud. It's not exactly standard issue for dealing with giant wolves."Liam's laugh turned into a low, disbelieving chuckle."Seriously, though, charging headlong into the maw of that beast with nothing but an axe... My mind must be going a bit insane."Erik leaned back against the wall. "Yeah, it seems like we're all a little bit crazy."Mia nodded. "We've definitely had our share of stupid moments, but I think... I think to survive we have to become like that."Mia is right. The world has changed now. The giant wolves, the everlasting winter, and they still don't know what else is coming next."Hey, let's not forget that we made a pretty good team out there. I wouldn't have made it without both of you," Erik said, his tone lightened knowing the fact.The three of them sat in comfortable silence for a few moments.A sudden thought struck him like a jolt of electricity. His eyes widened in shock and his face paled. He straightened abruptly."Guys," Erik said, his voice trembling slightly. "My parents... they're still at home. I just realized—they're still there."The distant howl of wolves echoed through the building, their mournful cries a chilling reminder of the danger still lurking outside.The sound seemed to magnify Erik's fear, gripping his heart with icy fingers. He could almost picture his parents, unprotected and vulnerable in their home.The words hung in the air, and his gaze shifted between Liam and Mia who both looked up in concern.Liam's face mirrored Erik's sudden panic. "Shit, you're right. My family is still at home too. We need to get back there now!"Mia's expression was more subdued. "I hadn't thought about it. I guess I'm a bit less worried... I only live with my father and honestly, I wouldn't mind if something happened to him."They knew about Mia's situation. Her father often hit her when he was drunk, taking out his anger because her mother left them for another man, abandoning them both.Mia had overheard during their arguments that her mother left because her father had cheated first, and she couldn't endure the poverty of living with them.So, if Mia didn't feel worried about her father's situation, Erik and Liam weren't surprised."We have to make sure they're safe. We can't just leave them," Erik said, his heart pounded as he stood up.Liam pushed himself up from the rubble. "You're right. We need to get moving."Mia sighed deeply, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and longing. "I also want to go home. Even though my father was a piece of shit he's still my father."Her words hung in the air. Erik and Liam exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting their shared understanding of her feeling."Let's find a way to get back," Erik said, his voice steady. "We need to see if we can find a car."The trio made their way to the parking lot. As they scanned the area their eyes fell on a disturbing scene: one of the teachers lay dead, his body torn apart near a car. The sight was grim, and Erik's heart sank.Liam and Mia stayed a few steps back, their faces pale with shock. Erik approached the teacher's body with a grimace.The teacher's hand was tightly gripping a set of car keys. With a deep breath Erik carefully pried the keys from the cold, hard fingers of the deceased."I'm sorry, sir," he murmured softly with a sense of sorrow in his voice.With the keys in hand Erik led the way to the car. They climbed in, Erik taking the driver's seat. He started the engine with a low rumble, the sound of the car breaking the eerie silence of the parking lot.As they drove away, the distant howls of wolves echoed faintly, a chilling reminder of the danger still lurking outside.The streets were a chaotic mess of debris and destruction. Cars were crashed haphazardly, some still burning, their flames flickering in the dark clouded sky.Erik navigated through the cluttered streets with a grim determination, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. They didn't have the luxury to stop and check; time was of the essence.Anxiety filled their hearts as they drove, each shadow and movement on the periphery making them jump, fearing that a giant wolf would leap out at any moment. But the streets remained eerily silent, the only sounds the distant crackling of flames and the hum of the car's engine.As they approached Liam's house, which was the closest to the school, the tension in the car heightened. Erik parked hurriedly, and Liam jumped out, his face pale with worry. He rushed to his front door, his heart pounding in his chest."Grandpa!" Liam called out, his voice trembling as he knocked on the door urgently. "Are you there? It's me, Liam!"For a moment there was no response and the silence was deafening. Liam's anxiety grew, his breaths coming in short, desperate gasps. He knocked again, harder this time, his knuckles white from the pressure.Just as he was about to call out again, the door creaked open slowly.---