A Disturbance in the Pecking Order - The Mad Wolf (Final Chapter 4)
I follow the tracks to rescue my girls from their kidnapper, while fighting a pack of raging wolves, in a blazing inferno.
A short fictional story about a family moving to the country, seeking peace and rest, only to find ourselves being hunted and having to fight for our lives by something lurking in the dark.
Previous chapter of the story:
Wolves Are Inside the House! - The Mad Wolf (Chapter 3)
If you’re new to the story, start here:
A Paradise in the Country Gone Wrong - The Mad Wolf (Chapter 1)
The fiery showdown and the spreading madness
I sneak up to the house. Jesus, that’s a huge farm, I think to myself. I go around, avoiding the light. It’s a slaughterhouse. Not literary, but the sheep are all dead. There must be hundreds of corpses lying all over the place. They weren’t eaten, just slaughtered. I feel the need to vomit. I resist. Fucking wolves. Why murder all these animals when you won’t eat them?
I hear a commotion. It’s coming from the barn on the far end of the farm—a huge old thing made for horses, by the looks of it. I think I heard Maria shouting! Damn it! I have to hurry. Maybe I should wait for the cops. I don’t know what I’m doing. But I can’t wait. What if something happens to my girls? I look down. My wounds have opened up again. Blood is leaking everywhere. It’s only a matter of time before I black out. It’s now or never.
I point the shotgun and enter the barn. It’s poorly lit, but there’s no hiding anymore. Not for me. God knows what could be hiding in those dark corners. I feel a sting in my heart! Something slaughtered the horses. Those poor animals. What is this nightmare?! Corpses are everywhere. It’s like I died and ended up in hell. It’s not impossible. I’ve lost a lot of blood. This could all be just a dream. A bad fucking dream! I could already be dead. I will be, soon enough, anyway.
In one of the stalls, I hear movement. I approach slowly, with my finger on the trigger. My hands are shaking. That finger isn’t safe on the trigger. I don’t want to shoot my girls by accident. I press my back against the opposing stall. The corpses are starting to rot. The smell is something else. I lean and take a peak.
“Maria!” I shout as I see my wife tied to a pole. “Are you okay?”
“He’s still here!” she warns me. “Be careful.”
“Who? The old man?” I ask and walk toward the stall. “I don’t see anyone.“
“He’s gone mad. Crazy old fucker. He grabbed us while you were sleeping.”
“I figured. Don’t worry. I’m here now. Where’s Suzie?”
“He took her to the main house. God knows what he’s done to her!”
“She’s gonna be fine. Don’t think about that now,” I try to comfort her. I go for the knots, attempting to free my wife. “We’re getting her out of there. Just let me free you, and then…”
I was careless. I get hit on the head with something heavy. It hurt like hell! I collapse to the floor. Down but not out! I turn around and point the rifle at my attacker!
He towers over me like a demon with a shovel in his hand. A bloodied shovel. Is that my blood? The man looks crazed. I see madness took hold of him. He has those crazy eyes. I’ve seen them before. On the streets in my city. Lost souls without reason. Wandering the streets, driven by imaginary ghosts. Somehow, this looks worse. Maybe because the old man is now swinging a shovel toward my head!
I defend his blow with my hand. The broken one. It’s gone anyway. As he regroups, I point the rifle at his torso and squeeze the trigger! Click. I squeeze again. Click. Click. Click. I know the fucking thing’s loaded! Click. Click. Click. I know nothing! The shovel hits me to the side of my head, only partially blocked by the rifle.
The rifle rolls toward Maria. I can’t hear anything. My ears are ringing. Vision is blurry. The old man strikes again and again and again! I deflect some hits, but some get through. I can’t feel the pain anymore. My body has shut that function down. Sensory overload. I look at Maria. She stares back at me. One last look at my loved ones before I fail her one last time.
She yells something. I can’t hear it. Then she points the shotgun at me and reloads it! I forgot to reload. What an idiot. Bested by my woman. Again. But why is she shouting and pointing a gun at me? Oh fuck! I duck, and she fires. I heard that! The cartridge exits right next to my earlobes. It burns. I don’t care. I turn around. The old man got clipped. He’s not dead. Yet.
I get up and jump the old fool! We fall to the ground. I mount him and rain fists on his face! I can’t control myself. My knuckles are drenched in blood. It’s everywhere. Some got in my eyes and into my mouth as I shout profanities while striking. I can feel my fingers breaking as I hit the man’s skull. I don’t stop. I can’t stop! This end now!
I hear Maria shouting again. I’m busy, woman. Can’t you see? There is not much left of the man’s face. It’s a gruesome sight. I finally stop—more from exhaustion than anything else. I look up and wish I hadn’t. We’re surrounded by wolves. I count six, but I’m seeing double, so who knows?
One of them is growling inches from my face. I feel its hot breath on my face. I look it straight in the eyes. There is a calm that descends upon you when you know you’re about to die. It’s a strange feeling. There’s no fear. There is no resistance. No uncertainty anymore. You’ve accepted death and welcome it now. The great salvation. No more suffering. No more pain. No more fear. You feel ready. You are at peace. Time stops. This is when people report seeing their lives replayed before their eyes. Not me, though. I’m busy staring down a rabid fucking wolf pack!
The wolf was salivating, and in that calm state of utter surrender, I noticed the beast had a crazed look in its eyes as if there was no soul within. Like it was dead. Maria fires the shotgun in the air. She’s trying to scare the wolves and not hit me. Good woman. The wolves don’t startle. There is no reaction. How is this possible? What happened to these beasts?
I get up as the beast watches my every move but does not attack. Why isn’t it striking? I was an easy prey. My neck was exposed. One bite and I would be gone. The rest follow its lead. I stare down the wolf. It backs off. I take a step forward. It takes a step back. Head low. It’s submitting. What the hell?
Then it hits me. The old man was alpha. This is beta. Wolves are pack animals, rabid or not. That makes me alpha now!
“Get the fuck out of here!” I command. My voice is firm, unrelenting. I speak with authority. Fake one, but the wolves don’t know. Packing orders exist for a reason. They are not to be questioned. The wolves back away. Out of the barn. Into the darkness of the night. When the last one leaves my sight, I turn to Maria. She’s looking at me as if I’m a ghost. I might as well be.
As I untie her, she asks, without removing her gaze, “You okay? Can you walk?” I see pity in her eyes. I’m a wreck.
“I don’t know,” I answer. “A little help?”
She supports me, and we limp toward the house. My body is inches away from giving in, collapsing completely. Not yet, goddammit! I just want to see my Suzie—one last time. Then you can have me, death! Then I’ll go willingly. I’m almost ready. Not just yet. One more hug. I’m not asking much. Give me that, oh death, and then I’m yours. Yours for eternity.
We entered the house. At the center of the room, fire was burning in the fireplace. Downstairs was empty. Maria helps me sit down and walks upstairs alone. I can’t make it up those stairs—no way in hell. I only want to rest. Just for a minute. I’m not tired. I’m practically dead. Supported only by adrenaline. Once that dissipates, it’s game over.
She opens the door to the bedroom, and I hear little Suzie call her name. She’s okay. She’s alive. Thank God! They walk downstairs. I stretch out my arms. I can’t wait to hug my little girl one last time. The sight of her lovely face warms my heart. They stop and stare at something behind me. I turn around. Slowly and carefully.
The beta is blocking the door. The wolf bitch grew balls. Did she now? I get up. Nothing graceful about it. Much less threatening. I face my challenger. I may be weak, but I have an axe! I have a purpose. I do not fear death. That makes us even in my head. Man versus beast. Intelect against power. Let’s dance, you foul beast!
The wolf attacks! She’s a big old bitch, this one. Heavy too. She knocks me down like I was nothing! So much for equals. I hold out my hand. She sinks her teeth in with everything she’s got! The newspaper shielding is working! That or my nerves are fried. Either way, I can’t feel a thing. I grab the axe with my other hand. Nop. Nerves work. My hand is broken. I feel that! It’s life or death. The she-wolf tosses me around the room like a doll!
I can’t hit its head with my axe. At best, I manage to graze it. She doesn’t stand still for a moment. How rude! She launches me into the fireplace. Fire is now everywhere. Fuck! I’m on fire! I roll around to put it out. Great, now the carpet’s on fire. It’s spreading. Fire consumes the drapes instantly. Then the sofa and the furniture. Fire is spreading faster than whatever disease these wolves are transmitting. The bitch grabs me by the leg and drags me out of the house. She doesn’t like the fire, but she’s not letting me live.
I look at my girls as she puts distance between us. They’re both crying and shouting. Maria is smart. She’ll protect Suzie. I know she will. If they survive the night, they’ll be just fine. Gotta keep the wolves busy.
“Get out of the house! Run!” I shout. The fire is spreading faster than I could possibly imagine. “I love you,” I add, but they can’t hear me. I’m too far out now. I hope they get out. There’s no saving me this time. The wolves close in. Beta is now alpha, and I’m fucking dead! I hope you fucking choke on my bones, you furry demons!
“God, if you’re out there, please save my girls. You can have me. Do with me as you please, but save my girls,” I preyed. I never pray.
I didn’t even mind the wolves tearing my body apart anymore. The pain was gone. I’ve lost too much blood. I close my eyes and zone out for a moment. I was ready. Ready for the afterlife. Ready for this nightmare to end. I was at peace.
Suddenly, I hear gunshots. Brains from the wolf atop me explode and I taste its brains. Disgusting! It’s head is in thousands of pieces! I just ate half of them. More gunshots. I look around to see what’s happening. The cavalry arrived. Too little too late. They can still save the girls. I’m too far gone. I try to focus. Where are they? Are they safe?
The wolves release my flesh and attack the two, no four cops. I think. One wolf is lying dead next to me. It’s body lifeless, blood and piss everywhere. There’s something wrong with its eyes. I stare at the dead wolf as cops are fighting the wolves. Fire paints an emotional background to the violence displayed before my eyes. Why aren’t the wolves running away? It makes no sense. I should help. Yeah right. Who am I kidding? All I should be is dead.
I look around for my girls. I can’t see them. I hope they got out of the house. I pray they’re alive. Fire warms my face from afar. It’s beautiful. Powerful. Cleansing. The flames consume the farm. The power of its utter destruction is mesmerizing. By morning, there’ll be nothing left. Good. Purify this evil from the face of the earth! Nothing must stand. Everything must burn!
The gunshots stop. I can’t see who won. Man or beast? I’m rooting for the cops. I hear someone ask, “Is that one still alive?”
I assume they’re talking about me.
“If he is, he won’t be for long,” one says. Well, aren’t you a genius?
“I’ve called for an ambulance. Maybe he’ll make it,” one of them said. I’m right here, gentleman. Good luck with that.
“What the hell possessed these wolves? I ain’t never seen nothing like this. They weren’t afraid of shit!” one cop asked. “They just kept coming!” He sounds young.
“Don’t know. Rabies? Drugs? Something ain’t right here,” the other answers. They’re not wrong. Something is definitely not right here.
“Did we get them all?” a cop asks.
“One, two, four, five. I think so,” the other answers.
“You missed one,” I whisper and cough out blood.
“He’s alive,” a cop says and squats down to me. “How’re you doing, Sir?”
“How does it look?” I ask.
“Like you were almost eaten by a pack of wolves.”
“Feels like it, too,” I reply.
“Hang in there. Help is on the way.”
“My girls! Find my girls! They were in the house,” I tell him, grabbing his coat.
He looks at the house and says, “I’m sorry, man. If they were in the house… It’s gone. Flames. Nothing could survive that.”
That wakes me up! Maria! Suzie!
“Find them!” I shout. I try to get up. He’s attempting to hold me down. Something about me being hurt. No shit Sherlock. I know! Now get off me!
I’m halfway up when I hear gunshots in the distance. “Maria!” I yell. “Help me up, officer. That’s my wife!”
“How do you know?” he asks and gives me a hand.
“Don’t ask, just help me, dammit!”
Another cop helps hold me up while two others run toward gunfire. We make slow progress toward the barn. The only one not yet consumed by fire. Another gunshot! I can’t see them, but I know it’s Maria fighting that alpha-beta wolf bitch!
“Faster!” I yell at the officers. “Hurry!”
We come to the barn. Maria is lying on the ground, she-bitch towers above her. Maria is fending her off with the shotgun. The wolf is trying to bite it in half. The officers start shooting at the wolf! She runs away. Wounded, but not dead.
I run, as fast as I can, to my girls. I stumble and fall after two steps. My legs are gone. What was I thinking? They come to me. We hug! I’m besieged by joy! I don’t care about my wounds. I don’t care about the fire. I don’t care about the wolves. We’re finally safe. They’re safe. We’re crying. I’m dying.
I hear a siren outside. The cops go out to greet the ambulance. We don’t talk, just hug! My girls are safe. I look toward the exit. Glowing eyes stare back at me. Beta isn’t giving up. It’s come to finish the job.
“What the hell? This wolf is relentless,” I say to Maria.
“Get Suzie and go to the cops!” I order her and leave no room for questions. She picks little Suzie up and backs away. Suzie’s crying and doesn’t want to leave me. Poor girl.
“Daddy! Daddy!” she cries. “Don’t leave him, mommy! Daddy!”
I know baby girl. I know. This night will leave a lifetime of scars. But at least she’ll live. Not you, demon. I face my attacker. Your life ends right now! I find the nearest fork and use it as a crutch to stand up. Come and get it, you foul beast. I’m talking you back to hell if I have to carry you there myself!
“What are you waiting for?!” I yell at the wolf creeping closer from the darkness.
The beast enters the barn. Slowly, half crouched. We stare at each other. It’s growling, and circling. The hair on her back raised like spikes. I growl back! I start swinging the fork at the wolf. It dodges, and attacks from the side. I hit it with the tilt of the fork. It squeals! Good. Suffer, you relentless bitch!
The wolf takes a few steps back and attacks again! I try to meet it halfway, but my legs give out. I drop to one knee. Fuck it! I point the fork toward the beast, and it jumps, mouth open, right on the blades! We fall down. The beast lies atop me. It’s heavy. I’m weak. I extract the fork from its face and roll it away. I can breathe again.
Something posses me. Something powerful and explainable. I can’t think straight. My heart is racing. It’s going to explode. I live purely off the adrenaline coursing through my vanes.
The wolf bites into my leg. I scream. More from shock than pain. It’s not dead! I bite back! I chew on the wolf's ear. I sink my teeth and tear it off! The wolf shrieks in pain and shakes me off! I grab the wolf by its neck and bite it in the snout! It howls in pain. It tries to run away. Oh no, you don’t! I see red. Only red! I grab the wolf's jaws, one in each hand, tearing them apart. I bellow with everything I’ve got! The sound echoes in the night. It’s dead. I’m not. Not yet.
I turn around, covered in blood. Maria is staring at me. Little Suzie, too. They’re not relieved. They’re not glad to see me. They’re frightened. I step forward. They step backward. Cops show up behind them. I want to hug them again. They’re afraid. I reach for Suzie. Maria points the shotgun at me! What the hell, woman?
Cops rush in, guns in hands. Pointed at me. I look at them. I see red. I want to hurt them. I want to kill them. I don’t know why. I’m furious. I’m raging! I’m fucking mad! Standing still is pain! Torment! I’m alive but should be dead. In their eyes, I see only dread.
I fought the beasts. Defeated them. The evil now resides in me. I became the thing I sought to kill. No longer a man, more beast I am. I feel no pain. No sorrow. Not even love for the morrow. I yearn for the kill. I crave their blood. I see red. I take a step forward. She fires the gun! Not one more step. I fall down. High time I’m dead! The evil now will die with me. My family safe, dear Lord, I come to thee!
THE END
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