The Wrong Side of the Food Chain (part III)

Wolf attacks used to be an everyday occurrence. Wolves used to feed upon human beings regularly, until the invention of the gun anyway. Most rural communities were at the mercy of the Wolf. The gun changed this, with humanity now possessing the ability to shoot and kill, marking a dramatic shift in power. The gun created a cause and effect scenario between mankind and the animal. Wolves learned to stay away from Human Beings. This highly adaptable creature still remains no match for a firearm. And the Wolf knows this. Unfortunately, I’m not carrying a gun. And I think the pack of Wolves following me has now figured this out.
I take another practice swing with my cross-country ski. I grit my teeth and face the canines. They have stopped now. They hide in the brush very close to me. There’s a group of what looks like five. They are hiding, obviously trying to decipher what I’m made of. I see the Gray hides tucked amongst the periphery. They are in the bushes but I can still see them. I feel them deciding amongst themselves how hungry they actually are and whether the “big me" seems worth the trouble.
“Let’s go,” I snarl one more time, taking another practice swing with my makeshift baseball bat. I see their eyes reflecting in the light. I feel the predator closing upon me. I know that they can take me if they so desire. I’m outnumbered and I’m outgunned. I know that my cross-country ski won’t take the whole pack. Their eyes undress me. They taste me, even through the brush. My heart pounds, and I feel my heartbeat, and I know that the predator feels my heartbeat as well. All the while, I swing my club, and grit my teeth, and just try and remain “big.”
The gray fur moved even closer. I smell the muck in their fur. I feel their wildness. I swing my ski again, ready to go. My heartbeat pounds, and I can’t help the fear from seeping in and taking over. Their piercing eyes are powerful and I know that I'm in trouble.
And then they disengage for no apparent reason. They continue into the woods. I follow their gray silhouettes until I can’t see them anymore. I put my skis back upon feet. My hands are still shaking from fear. I take a deep breath and shake my head in amazement. I know that I am lucky to be alive.