The Long 7 Days

The snow fell steadily as Alex sat near the fire, his thoughts as tangled as the forest beyond the shelter. The smoke rising from the clearing, the strangers' cautious movements, their preparedness—all of it had carved itself deep into his mind. There was something magnetic about their presence, something that pulled at him in ways he didn't fully understand.

James sat across the fire, silent and watchful as he worked a fresh arrowhead into place. The orange glow of the flames illuminated the lines of his face, making him seem older than his years. He'd said little since Alex's return, though his gaze lingered on his son more than usual.

"You're not letting it go, are you?" James finally asked, his tone more resigned than accusatory.

Alex looked up, his expression caught between defiance and thoughtfulness. "I can't. There's something about them. They don't feel like...ordinary travelers."

James set the arrow down and leaned back, studying Alex with a mixture of caution and curiosity. "And what exactly do you think you're going to find? Some kind of answer? A purpose?"

Alex hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't know. I just know that I can't ignore them. Not when they're this close."

The following morning dawned cold and clear, the snowfall having blanketed the forest in a fresh layer of pristine white. Alex prepared for another excursion, this time planning to observe the camp more closely. He told himself it wasn't just curiosity—it was caution. Knowing more about the strangers' intentions could mean the difference between safety and danger.

James didn't protest when Alex shouldered his pack, though his silence spoke volumes. His only words were a reminder: "Don't overestimate them—or yourself."

The forest seemed even quieter than usual, the snow muffling the sounds of Alex's movements as he retraced his path to the ridge. The cold bit at his face, but he welcomed the sharpness of it. It kept him focused, his senses sharp. As he approached the ridge, he slowed, moving with the kind of deliberate silence that James had drilled into him since he was old enough to hold a bow.

The clearing below was much the same as before, though the campfire was extinguished, its stones blackened with soot. One of the strangers was sitting near the lean-to, sharpening their hatchet with slow, deliberate strokes. The other was nowhere to be seen, likely out checking the trapline again.

Alex settled into a position behind a cluster of bushes, his vantage point giving him a clear view of the camp. He stayed there for what felt like hours, watching every movement, every gesture. The stranger's posture was relaxed but vigilant, their eyes scanning the forest as though expecting trouble at any moment. They moved with a quiet confidence that spoke of experience.

As the day wore on, the second stranger returned, a small bundle of snares slung over their shoulder. They exchanged a few words with their companion, their voices too low for Alex to hear. Their movements were coordinated, almost rehearsed, as they set about preparing the hares they'd caught. It was clear they'd been working together for some time, their partnership forged in the crucible of survival.

Alex's stomach growled faintly at the sight of the fresh game, a reminder that his rations were dwindling. He had planned to return to the shelter before nightfall, but the thought of leaving now felt wrong. There was still more to learn, more to see.

The first sign of danger came suddenly and without warning.

A sharp, guttural growl cut through the stillness, freezing Alex in place. His eyes darted toward the source of the sound, his pulse quickening as he spotted a dark shape moving through the trees. It was a wolf, its lean body silhouetted against the snow. And it wasn't alone.

A second growl joined the first, then a third, as more wolves emerged from the shadows. There were at least four of them, their eyes glinting with predatory hunger. They moved in a loose formation, their movements slow and deliberate as they circled the clearing.

The strangers reacted immediately. The one with the bow drew an arrow, their stance steady as they tracked the wolves' movements. The other hefted their hatchet, their expression grim but focused. They stood back-to-back, their weapons raised as the wolves closed in.

Alex's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold. He'd encountered wolves before, but never in a pack this large. They were efficient hunters, their tactics honed by countless generations of survival in the harsh wilderness. The strangers were outnumbered and outmatched.

For a brief moment, Alex considered intervening. His bow was in hand, and he could take a shot from his concealed position. But James's voice echoed in his mind: "You don't take risks for strangers."

He hesitated, torn between his father's teachings and the instinct to act. The wolves were closing in, their growls turning into snarls as they prepared to strike. The tension in the air was palpable, the kind of electric charge that comes just before a storm.

The first wolf lunged, its powerful body launching toward the stranger with the hatchet. They moved quickly, sidestepping the attack and bringing the blade down in a sharp arc. The wolf yelped as the hatchet struck its flank, sending it skittering back into the snow.

The stranger with the bow loosed an arrow, the shaft flying true and striking another wolf in the shoulder. It let out a howl of pain, stumbling but not retreating. The remaining wolves hesitated for a moment, their predatory instincts tempered by caution.

It was then that Alex made his decision. He nocked an arrow and drew the string back, his movements swift and precise. Taking a deep breath, he aimed for the wolf closest to the pair, its body coiled like a spring as it prepared to attack.

The arrow flew, striking the wolf just behind its front leg. It let out a pained yelp before collapsing into the snow. The other wolves turned at the sound, their attention momentarily diverted.

The strangers didn't hesitate. The one with the bow fired another arrow, while the other charged forward with their hatchet raised. Their coordinated attack drove the wolves back, forcing them to retreat into the trees. Within moments, the clearing was silent again, the only sounds the labored breathing of the strangers and the faint rustle of the wind.

Alex stayed hidden, his heart pounding as he watched the strangers recover. The one with the bow scanned the treeline, their eyes sharp and searching. The other crouched near the fallen wolf, inspecting the body before rising to their feet.

"Whoever fired that shot is out there," the bow-wielder said, their voice low but firm.

The hatchet-wielder nodded, their expression grim. "And they're good. That was a clean kill."

Alex's pulse quickened as he realized they were talking about him. He shifted slightly, preparing to retreat, but the movement drew the bow-wielder's attention. Their head snapped toward his position, their eyes narrowing.

"Show yourself!" they called, their tone commanding.

Alex hesitated, his mind racing. He could run, but they would likely track him. He could stay hidden, but that risked provoking them further. Taking a deep breath, he slowly rose to his feet, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender.

The strangers tensed as he stepped into view, their weapons at the ready. The bow-wielder kept their arrow trained on him, while the hatchet-wielder moved to flank him.

"I'm not here to hurt you," Alex said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "I was watching the wolves. When they attacked, I helped."

The bow-wielder's eyes narrowed. "Why were you watching us in the first place?"

Alex hesitated, searching for the right words. "I saw your camp from the ridge. I didn't know who you were or what you were doing out here. I was...curious."

The hatchet-wielder snorted. "Curiosity's dangerous out here."

The bow-wielder lowered their weapon slightly but didn't relax. "You're alone?"

"Yes," Alex said truthfully. He wasn't about to mention James—not yet.

The tension lingered as the strangers exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable. Finally, the bow-wielder nodded. "You saved us back there. That earns you some trust. But only some."

Alex nodded, lowering his hands. "Fair enough."

The hatchet-wielder's gaze remained sharp. "What's your name?"

"Alex," he replied. "Alex Kane."

The bow-wielder lowered their weapon fully, though their posture remained guarded. "Well, Alex Kane, if you're smart, you'll keep your distance. The wilderness doesn't take kindly to strangers."

Alex met their gaze, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "Neither do I."

For a moment, the three of them stood in silence, the cold wind sweeping through the clearing. Then, without another word, Alex turned and disappeared into the trees, his mind racing with the possibilities this encounter had unlocked.