The Age of Not Believing - A Christmas Tale by Andrew Szlachetko

Author:Andrew Szlachetko
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: London Book Press
Published: 2013-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

‘Take him with us!’ barked the elder to his juniors.

‘Right away, Captain!’

Thomas was shaking with fear. Daniel’s father plucked up enough courage to try and help, but he was no match for the wolf captain, who threw him to the floor and stood above him growling threats.

Thomas was dragged outside, where many more wolves were waiting in line. He was pushed and shoved into an old, majestic-looking sledge, and left there. One of the wolves broke away from the others and sneaked up to him. This one was lean, mean and very unclean. He had a scar across his face and there was malice in his eyes. Thomas was very afraid.

Turning his head, first to the left and then to the right, the wolf examined Thomas. ‘Do you know what they call me?’ murmured the animal. All Thomas could do was to shake his head.

‘Scratch is my name. Do you know why they call me Scratch?’

Thomas shook his head again and without any warning Scratch thrust the largest, longest and sharpest-looking claws up to Thomas’s terrified face. At the tip of each claw there were little clots of dried blood.

‘One swipe, one scratch and you’re a goner. Know what I mean?’ he sniggered. ‘Here, let me leave you just a small mark to remind you of me,’ and he pressed his dirty, smelly, disgusting paw firmly into Thomas’s cheek.

Thomas jerked his entire body away. The wolf leaned closer, but before he could do any damage to Thomas’s face, the wolf captain came out.

‘Scratch, leave him alone! He is not yours. Get back in line!’ the wolf captain commanded.

Scratch glanced at Thomas and whispered, ‘I’ll be watching you,’ before scampering off in a sulk. The wolf captain nodded his head as a signal for the wolves to move. Thomas let out a short sharp breath. He was safe, for now at least.

The whole company set off into the wilderness, howling terribly as they ran, striking fear into everyone who heard them. Alone, frightened and confused, their captive lay trembling on the speeding sledge, not knowing where he was going or if he would ever return.

The company streaked across the countryside like a silver express train rushing to its destination. Thomas wondered whether he would ever see his friend Daniel again. The wolves ran faster and faster. The trees and bushes rushed past. The only thing that remained motionless was the full moon, high above them in the dark night sky.

Occasionally a wolf would run alongside the sledge and glance over to make sure Thomas was still there, before moving on towards the front of the company. When this happened, it seemed to Thomas that the creatures were laughing at him and saying, ‘Ha-ha! We have got you! There is no hope for you now!’ Indeed, there did seem to be very little hope for him. More out of helplessness than fear, he began to cry.

His crying must have sent him to sleep, for when he opened his eyes again it was nearly light.

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