the last ember (9)

The wolf hesitated, its instinctual caution battling with its hunger. For a moment, it lingered at the edge of the light, watching them with unyielding intensity. Then, with a low growl, it backed away, slipping into the darkness from whence it came.

“Is it gone?” Maya asked, her voice shaking. “For now,” Sam replied, still gripping the branch tightly. “But we can’t let our guard down.”As the night deepened, they took turns watching the fire, sharing whispers of what they’d do when they were rescued.

With the warmth of the flames surrounding them, hope flickered alongside the embers. They huddled closer, forming a circle of warmth against the encroaching cold.