章節 10: The Path Less Traveled (2)
A low growl broke the stillness of the clearing, snapping Torstein back to reality. His heart leapt into his throat as he slowly turned to face the source of the sound. There, crouched in the shadows, was a lone wolf, its eyes fixed intently on him. Normally, a solitary wolf might not attack a human, but Torstein's small and frail appearance made him an easy target.
The struggle was fierce and chaotic. Torstein managed to land a few strikes with his knife, but the wolf's ferocity was overwhelming. Blood soaked the ground, his blood, as he sustained deep, grievous wounds. The pain was blinding, yet amidst the chaos, his hand instinctively clutched the rare Arctic Root he had found earlier, gripping it tightly as a symbol of his determination and the mission he had set out to accomplish.
Torstein's heart raced as he faced the menacing wolf again, its eyes locked onto his with predatory focus. He knew he couldn't outrun it, his only chance was to outwit it. As the wolf lunged forward a second time, Torstein thought about intimidating the wolf as he knew a bit about animal behavior from his observations. He made himself appear larger, standing tall and spreading his arms, trying to intimidate the wolf. For a brief moment, the wolf hesitated, confused by his unexpected behavior.
Seizing the opportunity, Torstein scrambled towards a nearby fallen tree, his mind racing. He remembered the wolves' sensitivity, noise and movement. He grabbed a large stick and banged it against the tree, creating a loud, echoing sound. The wolf, startled by the sudden noise, took a step back, its ears flattening against its head.
Torstein, though scared, felt a surge of hope. He continued to make noise, clapping his hands and shouting, trying to disorient the wolf. His strategy was working; the wolf seemed uncertain, its instinctual aggression waning with each loud sound.
But the reprieve was short-lived. The wolf, recovering from its initial surprise, prepared to attack again. Torstein knew he couldn't keep this up for long. He needed an escape plan. Glancing around, he spotted a narrow path through the dense underbrush, leading up a steep incline.
As the wolf charged again, Torstein threw the stick directly at it, aiming for its eyes to momentarily distract it. The stick hit its mark, and the wolf yelped in surprise, shaking its head vigorously. Using these precious seconds, Torstein bolted towards the path, his legs pumping as fast as they could carry him.
The terrain was rough and uneven, and Torstein stumbled several times, but fear and adrenaline kept him moving. He could hear the wolf recovering and giving chase, its growls echoing through the forest. Torstein pushed himself harder, knowing that his life depended on it.
Up ahead, the path led to a rocky outcrop, a dead end. Torstein's heart sank, but then he noticed a narrow crevice between two large rocks. It was a tight squeeze, but it could be his only chance. As he reached the outcrop, he slid into the crevice, pulling his legs in as the wolf arrived, snapping and clawing at the opening.
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