I don't know why people read this book but anyway... 😅

I'm so thankful to the people who do! It means the world to me. 💖
Seeing all those popular books out there can really lower your self-pride in your works, can't it?

Pops POV

The forest that was once alive now chills me.

I stand, looking out of the kitchen window, trying to control the emotions running wild inside of me.

Pain, misery, sorrow, anger....it's all there.

My little ducky dumpling, my sweet-faced Amelia, is missing and I can't help wonder if its all my fault.

Despite the weak sun setting over the horizon and the cold weather outside, I decided that I can't just sit here and grieve. I have to do something.

I grab my big woolly coat, slip my wellies on, then stepped out onto the porch.

It's dark now and snow is falling in clumps, the wet flakes drifting in the wind.

The air is cold and moist, howling as the snow continues to pile up in drifts, blinding the night with ice-white dust.

I walked out from under the porch and immediately protected my eyes with my arm.

My heart thumped widely in my chest and for some reason, panic set in. What was the point? Going out in this weather will only get myself killed.

Maybe I should take my rifle...just in case. I told myself it was for precaution only, that I wasn't actually going to use it. So I walked over to my shed, grabbed the gun then headed into the forest.

Trees loomed over my vision, then vanished, swallowed in white.

About 15 minutes later, I'm starting to regret coming out here in the first place.

I can't feel my toes and fingers and I'm pretty sure my beard would have ice forming on it by now.

I look around, trying to see where I was and how far id come. But soon I gave up...it was pointless.

I sigh then turned around, planning to go back, disappointed with my attempt to find any trace of Amelia.

Then suddenly, as if God had heard my prayers and answers them, I hear a little noise sound from behind me.

"help me..."

I practically run towards the sound and I could just see a small figure curled up in the corner of a nearby tree.

I didn't even hesitate to run over. I knew it was Amelia. Who else could it be?

I was right. It was her.

Her body was shivering from the lack of body heat and her little fingertips were blue.

"Amelia!" I shout.

She squinted at me and looked like and was trying to say something but couldn't.

"So...cold..." She stuttered.

O-ok. Keep calm and stay focused. Call an ambulance.

I shakingly lift my phone from my pocket and dial the emergency number.

After a few rings, a women voice finally answers.

"Hello, emergency services here. What's your emergency?"

Her calm voice is smooth and relaxing but doesn't to help calm my shaking hands.

"H-hello, I've just f-found my grand-daughter lying in the forest..."

I'm not in control of the situation as I would've liked to be. "She looks like she has hypothermia," I add, patting Amelia's shoulder.

"Ok, is she conscious?" She asks.

Before I could answer, a see a dark figure move at the corner of my eye.

I turn my head to see what it was. I gasp, dropping the phone.

What was standing just behind a thick tree blew my breath away. And not in a good way.

What stood beyond the forest was a figure truly and utterly terrifying.

"Hello? Are you there?" The women asks, her voice still calm and professional.

I was shocked of words. Nothing seemed to form in my brain and out my mouth.

Suddenly, a growl erupts from its throat and I tighten my grip on Amelia's body.

Then, what it did was completely unexpected.

The giant black wolf turned into a teenage boy...