Wolf Island by Darren Shan

Author:Darren Shan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780316073462
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET

THE helicopter!” Shark roars, leading the break for our only hope of survival. We pound after him, but I see within seconds that we haven’t a snowman in hell’s chance. The werewolves are closer to the helicopter than we are, and they can run faster.

Alert to the danger, James starts to take his Farrier Harrier up, out of the reach of the onrushing werewolves. But he’s not quick enough. One of the larger beasts takes a running leap and grabs hold of the skid on the pilot’s side. Marian levels her gun at it, but the weight of the werewolf causes the helicopter to lurch and she’s jolted off target. The werewolf hauls itself up onto the skid and drives its fists and head through the pilot’s window. It locks its jaws on James’s terror-stricken face and savages him.

James battles hopelessly against the werewolf, tries to thrash free, fails, then goes limp. The helicopter spins out of control, swishes left then right, then banks and smashes into the compound wall. The rotors snap off with an ear-splitting squeal. The blood-spattered glass shatters and the body of the helicopter buckles inwards. But it doesn’t explode like I expect it to.

I spot a shaken, bloodied Marian struggling from the remains of the wreckage. Three werewolves jump her while she’s half out of the helicopter. They drive her back inside and finish her off, fighting over the scraps.

The first werewolf is on us before we can feel any pity for James and Marian. Shark takes careful aim and fires a bullet through the center of its head. Then he changes direction and darts for the helicopter that was already here when we arrived. He bellows at us to follow.

Werewolves quickly fill the area around us. Shark and his remaining soldiers fire at them freely, wounding, maiming, killing. I can’t work up any sympathy for my unfortunate relatives. It’s them or us now.

Timas stoops over Pip’s body as we pass, swiftly loosens her backpack, and burrows through it as he runs, whistling casually. He picks out a device, smiles, shakes his head, and carefully replaces it. Never drops his pace, keeping up with the rest of us even though he’s not concentrating.

Some of the werewolves are distracted by the stranded, wounded survivors of Juni’s forces — easy pickings. The ground between us and the helicopter partially clears. Shark and his team focus their fire on those who remain in our way, opening a path. Hope flares within me. The despair I felt seconds ago evaporates. We’re going to make it!

We reach the helicopter. More and more werewolves are closing on us, but it doesn’t matter. Liam, Stephen, and the injured Leo cut down those closest to the helicopter and stand guard outside, keeping the area clear while the rest of us clamber in.

Shark and Timas bundle into the cockpit. Shark whoops and tries to start the engine. There’s no response. He frowns, ducks, looks beneath the control panel. Comes up pale-faced. “They removed…” He curses, then stares at Timas with wild hope.

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