The snowflakes turn red, amber, green against the traffic lights. The people walk out in careful small steps. The cars snail on the boulevards. The pure virgin snow melts to muddy slush.
The night club lights turn dim and music flattens to an inaudible track. Your high heels shake whether from the tequila or out of habit.
Com’on you, the taxi stand is just there! Holly’s cheeks have turned deep red and her breath steams out.
I’m ok. Steading your ancles, you look down at your feet and take a step at a time.
Oh, look at that one, a new outfit! Aimee smiles at a mannequin behind a shop window.
Three of you laugh and the peals of laughter cut through the drowsy city.
The laughter cuts short. Holly’s eyes jump from you to Aimee and back to you.
I better go, I’ll see you tomorrow, Holly says and her quick steps leave wide distorted hollows in the snow.
Yeh, see you tomorrow, whispers Aimee and runs after Holly.
A man’s head and silhouette loom on the shop window. Cropped hair, tattoos, wide shoulders. He breathes in your back. A deep heavy breath, like a predator’s after a long chaise. He bares teeth in a sneer. His eyes cross yours. The alpha male, you think.
Cute, aren’t you? You girl or boy? Then comes the wolf whistle.
Two younger men, maybe in their teens, approach. They each cast a look at you, a look of curiosity tinged with insolence, and stand behind him.
***
Grey silhouettes emerge against the arch of the rising sun. The rays struggle to penetrate the thick forest canopy and the relentless curtains of snow. It has not stopped all night. Once down the snowflakes pile in pristine drifts against rocks and tree trunks.
The wolves have roamed the forest for days. The alpha male gives a growl at the sight of the herd of elks in the distance. The wind blows the scent away. The snow muffles the steps. The twilight and trees hide the pack from the herd’s sight. Now the wolves will wait in quiet, patient, lethal ambush.
The elks scrap the snow with hooves for food. The bull’s call of alarm comes an instant too late. The youngest elk rises his head only to see the herd darting away. He runs at the tail of the herd with the wolves closing the distance.
The alpha male howls and leads the line. Two young males flank the elk and one of them jumps at him. The elk lowers his antlers and aims but fails to reach him. The alpha male bares his teeth and digs them into the elk’s throat. Blood trickle down his neck. The pool stains the virgin snow. The elk’s calls cut through the forest.
Soon silence falls back.
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