The leaves crunched loudly as Kayla ran through the trees. She knew this was her only chance to escape. The blue glow was ahead of her and beckoned her to step into it. She turned her head to look back and see if the orb still chased her. Something grabbed her as she stepped into the light.

Kayla was awakened by the loud buzz of her alarm in her ear. Her eyes flew open, and she sat straight up in bed. Her heart raced, and she was breathing heavily. After a few minutes, she calmed down. The aroma of bacon came from down the hall and found its way to Kayla’s nose. She managed to get out of bed and headed for the kitchen.

“Just in time,” Liz said as she put a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast on the table.

Kayla grumbled and moved toward the coffee pot. She picked up her favorite mug that says Sassy, Classy, and a bit Smart Assy. The black liquid flowed into the cup. She then went to the refrigerator and snatched the French vanilla creamer. After filling her mug, she sat down at the table.

The first sip of coffee tasted like heaven after a restless night. Kayla stared down at the caramel-colored liquid in her cup as her mind went to the forest and the blue swirl.

“So, what are you preoccupied with?” Liz asked.

“Oh, I was just thinking about retrieving my bag,” Kayla replied. She didn’t want to share her thoughts with Liz.

“Do you think it’s still there? If someone was chasing you, they might have taken it.”

“I’m sure it was some sort of creature.”

“Hey, how about I help you after breakfast?”

“Sounds good,” Kayla added as she drove her fork into the scrambled eggs on her plate.

Kayla walked into the trees to retrace her steps. Her mind strained to remember where she had gone because of the darkness and the idea she might be hurt. She got to the area where she thought it had dropped.

She looked at Liz and said, “It’s not here.”

“Are you certain this is the spot?”

“To be honest, no, I’m not sure this is it.”

“Don’t give up. It might be somewhere near here,” Liz responded and smiled.

Kayla let out a long sigh and then walked around some more. Every step she took drained a little more hope from her. She thought about giving up, turned around, and started to return to Liz when something caught her eye. It was lying up against a large limb. It blended in with the log, which is why it did not get her attention initially. The color of it was almost the same as the bark. Nevertheless, there sat her purse.

A quick scan of the area revealed it was resting against a branch. It was impossible Kayla’s purse managed to land in that position. Someone must have placed it like that. Maybe she was not the only person in the woods last night. Kayla picked it up and began to go through it. She reached in and took out her wallet, cell phone, and keys. Her credit cards and license were still where she always had them. Even the twenty-seven dollars had not been touched. Assuming somebody discovered the bag, why did they not take anything or return it to her?

“I’m glad you found it,” Liz said.  

“Yeah, I have it. We can go now.”

Kayla stopped as they got close to the perimeter.  She needed to go to where she observed the blue glow. It would have been helpful to get a better view of it. However, there was no time to stop and examine it that night. Kayla managed to make out only two things about the light. One, it was neon, and two, it moved in a spiral. It was unique.

“Is everything alright?” Liz asked her.

“Sure,” Kayla replied as she walked back to her apartment.

____

A few months had passed since the strange evening. Kayla was unable to put it out of her head. Something was different about it, and Kayla wanted to find out what. Another trip to the forest needed to be taken.

The next evening seemed perfect. The sky was clear. All Kayla would need was a jacket due to the chill in the air. She grabbed a flashlight, a canister of pepper spray, and her phone. It was a short walk to the border. She stopped and took a deep breath.

“Here I go,” she said.

“It must be her imagination. Wolves don’t inhabit this region.” Her feet moved her further into the forest. If she had a clue as to her location, maybe her eyes would spot the glow that had appeared that night.

She had a hard time retracing her steps when everything was a blur. Deeper into the trees she went. Kayla stopped for a split second to take out the canister, and a howl reverberated through the air.  It was louder than before.  Kayla knew she had to get out of the woods now, so she ran.

The flashlight bobbed up and down as she ran. It felt like something was in the woods, stalking her. Her heart pounded so hard she wondered if it would come out of her chest. Kayla hurt as she ran, her body told her to stop, but her brain said to keep going.

Kayla bent over and placed her hands on her knees. Her breathing was rapid and shallow, and her lungs cried out for oxygen. A branch snapped in the near distance. She shined the flashlight on the area she was in. A pair of fiery, white eyes looked at her from the trees.

Kayla froze. Her body trembled as the beast came more into view. She had seen wolves on the Internet and television. Seeing one in person was different.  The creature was huge. It was bigger than a male lion. Its stare never left Kayla as it came closer. Hunger was in its eyes. Kayla walked backward.

The monster approached her. There was no choice. She would have to sprint. As she was about to turn, she tripped over some roots and landed on her back. Kayla raised herself into a sitting position in time to spot the predator hovering with its teeth bared. A deep growl came from it. The wolf’s hot breath was on her face. She did the only thing that entered her mind.

Kayla’s hand flew up, and she pushed the button down, dispersing the pepper spray. The wolf howled as the liquid hit its eyes and shook its head violently. Kayla scrambled to her feet and ran again. Hopefully, this would give her enough time to get to civilization.  Doubts packed her thoughts that she would outrun a beast like this. Kayla began to say a prayer. 

It was a miracle. The blue spiral appeared. The glow was a few yards away on Kayla’s left, and she turned and ran toward it. She had no clue what would happen if she stepped into it. At the same time, it had to be better than being killed by a wild creature. She took a glance back as she approached the light. The wolf was almost on top of her. Kayla leaped and entered the neon blue swirl.