by Alexander Wolf Hosking

Created on: July 01, 2009

"Mum, mum, MUMMY!"
The high pitched, fear filled screams of Leo, a six year old boy, would normally bring people running. This time there was no one. Nothing except the deep rooted sense of fear, raising from the darkest depths of his belly and slowly consuming his whole body.
'Where am I? Where is my mummy? Please somebody help me!' Tears cascaded down his cheeks, accompanied by heartbreaking sobs.

Hours seemed to pass before Leo stood, bracing himself against the huge tree he woke beneath. Still gasping for breath, an arm rose to wipe the salty moisture clouding his vision.
Little light penetrated the canopy above, the air tasted stale. Leo coughed, stumbled forward, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Turning wildly, all around, the only things visible were trees. Leaves cluttered the dry, dusty earth, twigs and fallen branches seemed to jump in front of his feet, tripping him every other step. The panic of being lost and alone was fast becoming trepidation of what else may be lurking behind the looming trunks.
A shriek from afar startled little Leo, jolting his reflexes. Pure fear enveloped his slight body causing him to stand fast, urine trickled down his legs, filling his shoes.
"MUMMY, MUMMY, PLEASE!" Leo's sobs carried through the forest, finding only dead space. Terrifying thoughts flashed through the young boys mind 'why have they left me here? Have I been naughty? Where is my mummy?' Confused, he fell to his knees. A quick glance to his left and he saw a fallen, rotting trunk. As he crawled over to the decaying wooden mass, debris clutching to his urine soaked legs, Leo tried to compose himself.
The dead tree perched slightly above ground on the far side, Leo scrambled under and curled into a ball, closing his eyes he tried wishing away his predicament.
Several miles away a wolf picked up the small boys scent, its chilling eyes gleaming at the thought of young, fresh meat. Twisting its head high to the sky, the wolf sniffed. Light gleaming off its spittle covered, white fangs. Head dropping, the wolf set off, steadily, stealthily, hunger driving him forward.
Hiding, curled up, Leo started to shiver. Heat fast evaporating from his sodden clothes. Thirst began to strike, the shed tears beginning to take their toll. A headache was forming deep within his skull, seeming to force through from behind his eyes. Loneliness bearing down on him, like a force previously unimaginable. Never before had he been so tired yet so unable to sleep. The sounds of the wood, daunting and forbidding, fear gripping his tiny shaking vessel, tensing every muscle and sinew about him.
Close by the wolf stalked.
Its slow, graceful approach, seemed to mute the music of the forest. Fresh meat was near, the scent overpowering all other senses, his breathing intensified, spittle dripping from his saliva drenched jaws.
Leo lay silent. He could hear twigs break, leaves rustle. Something was there. From where he lay nothing could be seen. Could someone be here to rescue him? As the movement on the forest floor drew closer Leo let out a whimper. "Mum!"

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