the last ember (7)

With a sudden lunge, the wolf charged, but the flames flared brighter as Sam swung the branch, striking the ground beside the beast. The wolf yelped and retreated momentarily, but it was undeterred, pacing back and forth, waiting for its chance.

“Sam, what do we do?” Maya pleaded, her voice barely audible over the pounding of their hearts.“We keep the fire alive. As long as we have the fire, we’re safe,” he replied, even as doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve.

As the wolf circled them, Sam focused on the ember. Each breath he took felt like a countdown. If the fire went out, their hope would die with it.