The forest was thick and silent except for the heavy breathing of two figures struggling on the ground. Ryan’s shirt was torn, and dark stains of blood spread across his uniform where the werewolf had bitten him. Pain radiated from his wounds, sharp and burning.
“Ryan, stay with me, man!” Lucas’s voice was urgent but steady as he knelt beside him, pressing a hand to his shoulder. “Help is coming, but you’ve gotta fight it. Don’t you dare pass out on me.”
Ryan tried to lift his head but the world spun, and a wave of weakness threatened to drag him under. “I’m… I’m burning up,” he gasped, sweat beading on his forehead.
“Yeah, that’s the infection kicking in. You gotta fight it,” Lucas said, pulling out his radio. “Dispatch, this is Officer Lucas. We have an officer down at the south campground. Possible werewolf bite. Need immediate medical assistance and the town chancellor. Over.”
Static crackled through the radio, then a calm voice responded. “Copy that, Lucas. Medical team and Chancellor Twist are en route. ETA five minutes.”
Lucas looked back down at Ryan, keeping eye contact. “You hear that? Help’s coming. You can’t go anywhere yet. You’re going to be fine.”
Ryan’s eyes fluttered closed, his body trembling. Lucas shook him gently. “No sleeping! Eyes open, Ryan! Talk to me — what do you feel? What hurts?”
“My… legs… burning,” Ryan whispered, voice weak.
“That’s the serum working, but you gotta stay awake so it can kick in properly,” Lucas said, fumbling through his belt for a flashlight. He clicked it on and shone the beam into Ryan’s eyes.
“Focus on the light, man. Keep your eyes open… Fight it.”
Ryan’s eyelids twitched, then slowly he blinked and met Lucas’s gaze. “You… got me?”
“Always. You’re not alone. We’re going to get you through this.”
Far in the distance, Lucas heard the faint sound of approaching sirens mixed with the rustling of hurried footsteps.
“Hold on, Ryan! They’re almost here.”
Ryan gave a weak nod, gripping Lucas’s hand as the darkness began to recede.