On their way home, Alex and David noticed Sarah's car parked beside the woods, its doors wide open.
David immediately reached for the jeep door, but it was locked.
"Alex, unlock the door," David said.
"Why?" Alex asked.
"So I can check Sarah's car. She might be hurt," David replied.
Alex paused. "What if she and Jack are just having fun in the car—or somewhere in the woods?"
"That's not possible," David said firmly. "Sarah left the party while Jack was still at his house. There's no way he could've gotten to her. And besides, I don't see his car anywhere. Just unlock the doors—it'll only take five minutes."
Alex thought for a moment, then nodded. "You're right."
He unlocked the doors, and both of them stepped out to check Sarah's car. It was empty.
"She's not here," Alex said.
"Then let's check the woods," David suggested.
Alex stared at him. "Are you crazy? It's dark. God knows what got into Sarah to come here, and honestly, I don't care."
"I can tell you don't really like her," David said.
"It's not that," Alex replied. "I just hate the way she lets Jack control her—like she doesn't even have a say."
"I agree," David said. "But what if she's in trouble? What if we leave and tomorrow we hear that Sarah was badly hurt—or dead? Would your conscience let you sleep knowing you could've helped?"
Alex's expression changed. Fear and worry crossed his face.
"Fine," he said at last. "But if I see or hear anything weird, I'm out. You got that?"
"Deal," David replied.
They entered the woods.
As they walked deeper, they noticed torn pieces of clothing scattered on the ground. Alex immediately stopped.
"We should go back to the jeep," he said nervously.
"What if she's been attacked?" David asked.
"Or what if she just took a bath in the lake?" Alex argued.
"At this time? In the woods?" David replied.
"We don't know," Alex said weakly. "Maybe she likes night baths."
"What happened to bathing at home?" David asked.
Alex had no answer, but fear pushed him to insist. "You have a point—but seriously, we need to go back."
"Let's keep moving," David said. "If we don't find her soon, we'll turn back."
Reluctantly, Alex agreed.
As they moved forward, they suddenly froze.
Ahead of them stood a coyote facing three wolves.
Alex slowly turned around and began backing away toward the jeep, but he accidentally stepped on dry branches. The loud crack caught the wolves' attention.
One of them charged.
The wolf leapt at Alex, knocking him to the ground. It pinned him down, claws digging into his arms as it growled, saliva dripping from its jaws.
David grabbed a stone and hurled it at the wolf. It turned its head toward him.
"Run!" David shouted.
Alex scrambled to his feet and ran toward the jeep. The wolf lunged at David, knocking him to the ground and pinning him down. David noticed its eyes—they were glowing red.
The wolf pressed its paws into David's chest, its claws piercing his skin, then snapped at his head. David grabbed its jaws, struggling to keep them apart, but the wolf suddenly bit down hard on his right hand.
David screamed in pain.
Just then, the coyote charged and knocked the wolf off David, wrestling it down the hill. One of the other wolves followed to help, while the third turned its attention to David.
David forced himself up and ran toward the jeep. The wolf chased him and leapt, trying to bite him. David dodged, grabbed a thick branch, and stabbed it into the wolf's eye.
The wolf howled in pain.
Using the moment, David ran with everything he had left.
He reached the jeep just in time. Alex slammed the door shut and sped off.
As they drove, Alex noticed David clutching his right hand.
"Did it bite you?" Alex asked.
"Yeah," David replied through clenched teeth.
"Is it deep?"
"I don't know. All I know is—it hurts like hell."
"We need to take you to the hospital," Alex said.
"No," David replied. "My mum's a nurse. She can help me."
"Where do you live?" Alex asked.
"5 Main Street, Kyle Road."
Alex shook his head angrily. "I told you we should've ignored Sarah's car. You just had to play the hero. Now look—I'm injured, but mine are just scratches. Yours is a bite. And we didn't even find Sarah."
As Alex spoke, David noticed something moving in the side mirror.
"Alex!" David yelled.
"What?" Alex asked.
"Look!"
Alex glanced at the mirror and froze. The wolf David had injured—one eye bleeding—was chasing them and gaining speed.
"You've got to be kidding me," Alex muttered.
He stepped harder on the accelerator. Ahead, a truck was coming toward them.
Alex suddenly smiled. "Put on your seatbelt and hold on tight."
"Why?" David shouted.
"I have an idea. Just trust me!"
David did as he was told.
Alex drove straight toward the truck at full speed. David screamed his name.
"Hold on!" Alex yelled.
At the last second, Alex swerved out of the way. The truck slammed into the wolf.
Alex kept driving.
The truck driver stopped and stepped out to see what he had hit—but there was nothing there. Confused, he climbed back into his truck and drove away.