The growls started low, distant, almost blending with the rustle of leaves and the faint breeze. But then the sound grew, a deep, guttural harmony of predators. Wolves.
Charlie's dad stopped dead in his tracks, scanning the treeline with sharp, practiced eyes. His hand shot up, signaling the family to stop.
"Pack formation," he said, his voice calm but firm. "If you see wolves, especially a pack, slow down, go back-to-back, and don't let them flank you. Look big, look menacing."
Charlie moved quickly to the middle of the group, his heart pounding. His dad always said the smallest would be targeted first. Amber, who had hit a growth spurt recently, now stood a good half-foot taller than Charlie. That left him as the shortest—and most vulnerable.
His dad, mom, and Gretchin drew their machetes, the blades glinting faintly in the dimming light. Amber gripped a baseball bat tightly, her knuckles white as she positioned herself between their mom and dad, ready for backup if needed. The formation was tight, with everyone about an arm's length apart, giving Charlie enough room to aim his crossbow for any openings.
The wolves emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes reflecting eerie light in the dim forest. They were enormous—easily 30 to 40 percent larger than they should have been. Charlie's mouth went dry.
Holy moly, they're huge! he thought, gripping the crossbow tightly.
The pack circled slowly, their bodies sleek and muscular. Their claws scraped faintly against the dirt as they moved, keeping just out of range. Their teeth, long and sharp, glinted as they snapped at the air, testing the humans.
It felt like hours, but the standoff dragged on for about twenty minutes. The wolves continued circling, their growls vibrating through the air, but they kept their distance.
Charlie and the rest of his family didn't stay passive. They growled back, low and menacing, just as their dad had taught them. It was primal, instinctual, but it worked. The humans looked bigger, louder, and more threatening—a force the wolves couldn't underestimate.
One wolf, larger than the others and with streaks of gray running through its black fur, caught Charlie's attention. It was bolder than the rest, creeping closer, its eyes locked on him. It stayed just out of his parents' reach, testing their reactions.
Charlie's pulse quickened, but he stayed focused. His dad's lessons echoed in his mind: Center mass, steady your breathing, and don't hesitate.
The wolf lunged, its powerful body launching into the air. Charlie was ready.
He exhaled slowly, aimed, and fired.
The crossbow bolt struck the wolf in the chest, dead center, just as his dad had taught him. There was a sickening thud as the bolt hit bone, sinking deep into the wolf's ribcage.
The wolf yelped, a sharp, pained sound, and crashed to the ground. It scrambled to rise, its legs kicking frantically against the dirt, but it collapsed again, unable to stand. Its breathing was ragged, each heave shallow and desperate.
The pack hesitated, their growls faltering as they watched their fallen member. Charlie's family seized the moment, growling louder, stepping toward the wolves with more aggression.
The wolves backed away, their tails lowering slightly. One by one, they turned and slinked back into the trees, their glowing eyes vanishing into the shadows.
Charlie's dad held his stance for a moment longer, machete raised, before lowering it. He ruffled Charlie's hair, a proud smile breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. "You did a very good job, son. Center mass—just like I taught you. Everyone did exactly what they were supposed to. Good job."
Charlie nodded, his hands still trembling as the adrenaline began to fade. He stepped toward the fallen wolf, gripping the bolt embedded in its chest. He tugged, but it didn't budge.
"I think it's stuck in the bone," Charlie said, glancing up at his dad.
David crouched beside him, examining the bolt. "The bones are getting denser," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Hold up, son. Let me pull it out so you don't break it."
Charlie stepped back, watching as his dad carefully gripped the bolt and worked it free. The effort it took made Charlie realize just how much the world had changed. Everything was bigger, stronger, and harder now—even the wolves.