The night pressed in from all sides.
Amir didn't move.
He couldn't.
The glowing eyes around him had grown closer… tighter… suffocating.
Every direction he looked—there was something watching.
Waiting.
The low growls vibrated through the ground beneath his feet.
Not one.
Not two.
A pack.
His heartbeat pounded louder than the silence.
"This is it…"
For the first time, doubt returned.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Something heavier.
The realization that this time… standing still might not be enough.
A shadow stepped forward.
Bigger than the rest.
Slower.
More controlled.
The others backed away slightly.
Respect.
Fear.
Submission.
This was their leader.
Its eyes locked onto Amir.
Not curious.
Not cautious.
Certain.
It began to circle him.
One step.
Two.
Three.
Amir turned slowly, keeping it in sight.
His breathing was sharp now.
Focused.
"If I run… I'm finished."
"If I stay… I might still be."
The leader stopped.
Then—
It lunged.
Fast.
Too fast.
Amir reacted on instinct.
Not by running—
But by moving forward.
Straight toward it.
The moment froze.
For a split second…
Both predator and prey collided in the same decision.
The leader hesitated.
Just enough.
Amir slipped past it.
The circle broke.
The pack scattered slightly.
Confusion.
Disruption.
A gap.
Amir didn't waste it.
He ran.
Not blindly.
Not in panic.
But with purpose.
The growls exploded behind him.
The chase had begun.
Branches snapped.
Feet thundered.
Breath burned.
The darkness no longer hid him.
It hunted him.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer—
Something hit his shoulder.
Hard.
He fell.
The ground tore against his skin.
Pain shot through his body.
He tried to get up—
But it was already there.
Breathing over him.
Hot.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
Amir looked up.
Into the eyes of the leader.
And this time…
There was no hesitation.
If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to vote with Power Stones and add this story to your library!What would you do in Amir's place—run or fight?