My scream-like howl pierced through the dark silence of this moonless night as pain, both emotional and mental, shot through my skull. "Why," I muttered to myself, I had just been on a late night stroll when I was feeling better than these past weeks, nothing to trigger this. Now I stood frozen quivering slightly, silently cursing myself for not telling my adoptive mother that I have been sick. "Heck, I wasn't even trying to remember what happened to them." I mutter again, 'So why, why now of all times are these scenes flashing through my head.' My eye squeeze themselves shut as a wave of renewed pain assaulted my mind, but this time the images that forced themselves into my mind were much more vivid.
*Flashback*
I had jolted awake in the middle of the night from a nightmare; I was snuggled warmly against mother's stomach and my brother's flank. Cold moonlight flowed into the den from the outside; that is until the silhouette of my father at the entrance blocked it out. Even though I was a pup I could tell something was wrong, my father's moments were stiffer than normal and a strong metallic scent seemed to roll off him. Mother and my brother seemed to sense the unrest as well as they stirred sleepily from their slumber. My mother raised her head, tensing as her eyes landed upon the form of my father; as she opened her maw to speak, but her voice seemingly fled her when a dark blur attached itself to my father's form, splattering a metallic smelling crimson substance. I barely registered some of the crimson had splattered itself upon my cheek, as the two shadows fell to the ground in a chorus of yelps and growls.
*Flashback End*
The pain ebbed away a little, and regained my senses. I forced my eyes open, panting from the effort; processing what was happening. "No," I growled, "this isn't possible." I couldn't believe what I was remembering. My legs shaking uncontrollably, seemingly only got worse when I tried to steady myself. A surprised yelp releases itself from my lips, and another wave of pain hits my mind hard.
*Flashback*
Mom got up shaking in fury, before letting out an enraged snarl, and charging towards the fighting forms. My brother and I crept forward, hoping to get a glimpse of what was happening, as the sounds of fighting continued outside. We saw the horrific sight of a huge wolf fighting both of our parents, taking only minor damage; blood was flowing freely from our mother and father on to the moonlit ground. The big wolf seemingly fed up with this fight; charged forth towards my father, ramming its shoulder into his chest, while finding a purchase on his neck. There was a horrible snapping noise, before the wolf released my father who fell limply; his flanks heaving one last time, before the light of life fled from his eyes.
*Flashback end*
The pain receded once more, leaving black spots to cloud my vision. "Damn it" I ground out through my clenched jaw. 'This has to be a bad dream' I try to convince myself, though deep down I knew it was far from a dream. I growl as the pain comes back more fierce than before.
*Flashback*
I felt my heart drop as an anguished howl left my mother, she the charged towards the other with reckless abandon. I could no longer remain quiet and still, I took a few steps forward and shouted "no". However my voice fell upon deaf ears, she continues to race forward captivated by her grief over the loss of her mate. She pushed off the ground lunging, at the monstrous wolf. the other reared up as mother flew at him, but before mother could land a purchase, he brought his front paws down upon her; one paw brought her muzzle slamming to the ground, the other pinned her shoulder. A small whimper forced itself from her lips, as the other rolled his paw that was on her muzzle one way and the one on her shoulder the opposite. Her eyes darted to me and my brother; despite the heavy paw on her muzzle she forced it open enough to allow one word to escape her throat. "Run" that single word echoed through the area, quickly followed by a horrible sound similar to the one that signaled the end of father's life.
*Flashback End*
At this point sobs are tormenting my body, and tears streaming down my cheeks. Hunching my shoulders, my breath coming in short gasp for air, I feel sick as my stomach churns. Basically at the moment I am a sweating, shaking wreck; despite the pain I can't help but let out a dark chuckle, to think my memories could reduce me to such a state. The chuckle is soon cut off by a wince and whimper, as pain enveloped me once more.
*Flashback*
The evil creature turns its head facing my brother and me, leaving behind the corpse that was once our mother. Mother's last word kicks in, immediately me turn and give my paralyzed brother a shove, successfully snapping him from his daze. We both took off running into the shadows of the surrounding woods, me being a few strides in front of my brother. Growls and snarls spur us on; soon I realize my brother is no longer next to me. I stop for minutes it seems only the sounds of my panting and blood roaring in my ears fills the silence of the forest, but all fall silent to the piercing shrieks that without a doubt belong to my brother.
*Flashback End*
Whatever had kept me upright until now fled me as my legs collapse beneath me. My breath coming in ragged gasps and choked sobs. "I failed them." My voice was raw from overuse. Silently I cursed myself, mad for drinking that tainted lake water. The earth beneath me seemed to absorb what little energy I had left as I felt my golden-amber eyes get heavier. My heart was painfully beating against my rib cage, the most evident sign to me that I was still alive. My breathing slowly becoming easier for me to manage.