I Should Change My Skin of Wolf

Ruby almost burst into tears at the sight of Roger. For some reason, the wolves ceased to attack. They just stared at the two humans, growling. Roger stared back unfazed. He knows he's been in much, much worse situations before and look at him now —alive and kicking —literally as he kicks a wolf's corpse out of the way.

"You did well, kid" he says, as he put the gun back to its holster. Roger fumbles for something inside his right pocket. He pulls out a box of cigarettes, took a stick, and put it in his mouth.

"...but you can't do this alone", he continues.

"I had no choice", she responds, her voice shaking from all the pain she endured.

Roger pulls a lighter from his breast pocket. On the press of a button, a small flame lit up. He cups his hand around the flame, held it close to the tip of the cigarette, and waited for the tip to flare up.

Out of curiosity, The Wolf King jumps out of the pack and lands in front of the two. Who could make quick work of his henchmen, he thought. He landed with such great force that the shockwave sent Ruby to her knees. Roger, on the other hand, stood unfazed.

Seeing Roger sent The Wolf King into a frenzy. His scar started throbbing, a reminder that he has once knocked on death's door. Eyes blinded with rage and foaming at the mouth, he lunged at an unsuspecting Roger.

Roger blocks the Wolf King's claws with his gun. Locked in each other's gaze, the two had commenced into an epic staredown while trying to overpower each other.

"You foolish mortal. You could have just lived your days quietly, reminiscing how you narrowly escaped from me", the Wolf King proclaims in bravado.

Roger, still with a cigar between his lips, grunts. "I wasn't escaping, bub".

Realizing they were at a standstill, the two pushed each other away. Roger was thrusted a few steps from where he stood while the Wolf King somersaulted a few feet away from him.

"You should have gone for the head!"

"Noted", he grunts and quickly follows with three gunshots aiming for the head.

The Wolf King dodges each bullet with terrifying precision. Unfazed yet impressed, Roger fires half a dozen shots rapidly, aiming at the beast's tongue. To no avail, the Wolf King dodges again almost effortlessly.

Ruby could not help but be in awe of the battle that's unfolding in front of her. As much as she wants to jump in, her body still has not recovered from earlier. She knew she'd just be getting in the way.

"I'm tired of playing with you lot. My warriors and I will end you together!"

Roger scratches his head in disbelief. He takes the cigarette from his mouth by putting it between his index and middle finger and blows the smoke through his nose.

"Can you still fight, kid?"

With all the energy she has left, Ruby nods meekly.

The Wolf King and his minions step into formation. He stands in the center while being surrounded by four others in front. Five others surrounded Roger and Ruby on their left and another five jumped in on their right.

Showboating their numbers and physical advantages, the wolves let out a brief howl. On their king's signal, they would prowl on the two humans and pound them mercilessly.

The howls of her most-hated creatures ticked Ruby off. Something had awakened inside her, putting the young girl in a state of misplaced sanguinity. Roger could hear her stifling a laugh but shrugged it off, thinking it was just battlefield jitters. They're lives are on the line after all —which he actually almost forgot.

"I should change my skin of wolf" whispers Ruby.

Her eyes showed nothing but pure hatred. Her look grew sharper than the scythe she carries, piercing everything it lands upon. The lethal gaze was accompanied by slow breathing, like she was holding herself back from something sinister. It was too late, however. For hell hath no fury like a woman whose hometown has been torn.