Chapter 3 - Shadow Feng: Chapter 03

 🌑 The Darkness of Night - The Escape

**Panel 1:** A wide shot of a dilapidated, run-down warehouse at midnight. Moonlight streams through broken windows, casting long shadows.

Outside, Shadow and his pack stand in a broken circle—their fur matted with blood, their breaths ragged.

Lunara clutches her wounded side, grimacing in pain. Bloodfang's hind leg is bent at an unnatural angle, blood dripping onto the ground.

**Panel 2:** A close-up of Shadow's face. A faint red glow of anger still flickers in his eyes, but exhaustion has dampened the fire.

Battle scars etch deep lines across his muzzle. He scans the horizon, his ears twitching at distant sounds.

**Shadow:** (Low, guttural growl) "Come. Now. Before they regroup."

**Panel 3:** Ironclaw limps forward, his massive body hunched. Blood is caked on his iron-gray fur. He looks at Shadow with weary eyes.

**Ironclaw:** "Where to, Alpha? We're badly wounded—half-dead already."

**Panel 4:** Lunara, silver-furred and defiant despite her injuries, pushes herself up on trembling paws. Her eyes meet Shadow's, challenging.

**Lunara:** "He's right. We need time to heal first... or we'll be hunted down like stray dogs."

**Panel 5:** Shadow doesn't turn, his gaze fixed on the distant twinkling lights of the village. He lowers his head, hearing the faint *clinking* of metal—guns being loaded.

**Shadow:** "If we stay here, death will find us even sooner. Look at the village houses. There are hunters everywhere. Every house is arming itself—guns ready to roar."

**SFX:** *Click-clack... click-clack...* (Sound of rifle bolts from a distance)

**Panel 6:** The entire pack turns as one, their eyes narrowing at the sight of the sprawling village.

Smoke rises from the chimneys. In a window, a girl—Tamanna—peers out curiously, a fluffy rabbit in her arms. Lights flicker like watchful eyes.

**Panel 7:** Inside Tamanna's house, in the warm light. Grandfather, old and wise, hobbles in with a lantern. As he approaches, Tamanna closes the window.

**Grandfather:** (Voice stern but kind) "Tamanna! Keep that window closed! Wild wolves have entered the village!"

**Tamanna:** (Eyes wide, whispering) "Grandpa... are wolves more dangerous than lions?"

**Panel 8:** Grandfather sits her down by the fire, his face shrouded in the shadows of old stories. He leans in, his voice grave and low.

**Grandfather:** "Listen, child. Lions and tigers are strong, yes. You can train them, cage them, make them perform in a circus. But a wolf? A wolf doesn't perform for anyone. It remains free... or dies trying."

**Panel 9:** The scene shifts back outside. The wolf pack has disappeared into the darkness behind a thicket of thorny bushes.

Lunara is licking her wounds, whimpering in pain, while Shadow and the others tend to each other's injuries—pressing their paws against the fur to try and stop the bleeding. The air is thick with the smell of blood and pine.

**Panel 10:** Shadow's ears perk up. In the distance, headlights cut through the night—a truck starts up, its bed loaded with dark crates. Faint cries of animals can be heard from inside.

**Shadow:** (Growling softly) "That truck. We'll follow it. It's carrying the rest of the captured animals... straight to where they took Nixara."

**Panel 11:** Tears well up in Lunara's eyes, but she forces them back, staring at the truck's taillights like a beacon. Her claws dig into the ground.

**Shadow:** (Giving orders, assigning roles) "Bloodfang, Ironclaw—you two are getting too weak. Nightshade, support them. Rageclaw... you're with me. Lunara..."

**Panel 12:** Lunara interrupts him, staggering to her feet, her voice strong despite the pain.

**Lunara:** "I'm not weak. I can fight—for my daughter."

**Panel 13:** Shadow gives her a cold, irritated look, his red eyes narrowing. The pack tenses.

**Shadow:** (In a sharp, biting voice) "We don't need your courage here. Just your brains. Besides, girls' brains are in their knees anyway."

**Panel 14:** Lunara bristles with anger, her fur standing on end—fury flashing in her eyes. She lunges forward, claws extended.

Shadow responds to her anger with his own. They clash in a short, fierce fight—snarling, rolling in the dust. The rest of the pack watches, nervously chuckling, tails wagging.

**SFX:** *Growling! Claws! Thud!*

**Panel 15:** Lunara recoils, pain etched on her face, but she remains silent. She knows he's right, in his brutal way. Shadow stands tall, his voice softening slightly—still not looking at her.

**Shadow:** (Gruffly, looking away) "...Stay behind me. Not too far."

🏃 Running - The Hunt Begins

Panel 1: Chaos erupts in the village square. Hunters swarm like ants, led by Boss Rakth—a grizzled, fearsome man in his 50s, his face scarred like cracked leather, his military vest bulging with ammunition.

He roars into the night, veins bulging in his neck.

Rakth: (Roaring) "That devil wolf killed twelve of my men! Twelve! He won't leave this village alive! Block every street! Put a man on every corner!"

Panel 2: The hunters scatter—loading shotguns, strapping silver-bladed knives to their belts. A young hunter hesitates, glancing at the terrified villagers peeking from windows.

Hunter 3: "Boss! Should we bring the dogs? To track the scent?"

Rakth: (Spitting angrily) "Dogs, searchlights—whatever it takes! He won't escape... he'll be found!"

SFX: Whistle! Arf-arf! Arf! (Barking echoes through the streets)

Panel 3: Wide aerial shot: The village transforms into a war zone. Hunters fan out, armed with floodlights and rifles, but the ordinary people huddle inside, windows shuttered, children whispering prayers.

Panel 4: Cut to the pack: They run through the streets like ghosts. A truck rumbles obliviously onward. Shadow leads the way, a dark blur; the others follow in a ragged line, weaving between market stalls.

SFX: Pat-pat-pat... (Quiet paws on stones)

Panel 5: Close-up on Bloodfang—his injured leg is dragging, leaving a trail of blood. Nightshade shoulders him from below, straining, but their pace slows. Sweat beads on their muzzles.

Panel 6: Suddenly, a bright light! A searchlight sweeps across the alley like a scythe.

SFX: Whoosh! (Beam cutting through the darkness)

Hunter 4: (Shouting into the radio) "There's a blood trail here! The devil is nearby—stop that truck!"

Panel 7: The truck screeches to a halt, smoke billowing from the brakes. Shadow's eyes gleam—he shoves the pack forcefully into a narrow side alley.

Shadow: (Hissing) "Inside! Now!"

Panel 8: They burst into a grimy butcher shop—the darkness swallows them. Meat hooks hung from the ceiling like iron fangs, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood. Chunks of raw meat swayed gently.

Panel 9: Hunger gleamed in Nightshade's eyes—saliva dripped from his jaws. He grabbed a large piece of meat and began to devour it greedily.

Lunara, seeing the injured wolf's need, tore off a piece and nudged it towards Bloodfang.

Shadow took his piece and ate it methodically. Lunara did the same, blood staining her whiskers.

SFX: Tearing! Chewing! Swallowing!

Panel 10: Outside, the hunters paused at the shop door, speaking in hushed tones. Flashlight beams played across the edges.

Hunter 5: "They're hiding in here—there's too much blood. Follow the trail. He's still in the village!"

Hunter (smiling in the darkness): "We'll catch that wolf too. Double reward—pure bliss."

Panel 11: Inside, Bloodfang collapsed onto the blood-soaked floor with a wet thud, his body trembling.

SFX: Thud...

Bloodfang: (in a strained whisper) "I... I can't go on..."

Panel 12: Shadow knelt beside him, sniffing the wound. The wound was deep—the silver bullet's poison was spreading through the flesh like a spiderweb, the veins turning black.

Shadow: (tense, voice trembling) "Bloodfang... hang in there. You're strong."

Panel 13: Bloodfang managed a pained smile, teeth gritted.

Bloodfang: "I'm fine, Alpha... just... need a little rest..."

Panel 14: The lie felt heavy. Rageclaw paced back and forth, worry etched on his scarred face.

Rageclaw: "Shadow... he really needs rest. A den, not this slaughterhouse."

Shadow: "We can't stop. The hunters could be here any minute."

Panel 15: Ironclaw peered through a grimy window—dogs were barking in the street, noses to the ground.

Ironclaw: "Even worse—they're bringing hunting dogs. Our scent is like a map." Panel 16: Shadow's mind races—eyes darting around. Then, a decision.

Shadow: "The back way. Let's go!"

SFX: Clatter! Rapid footsteps!

🚶 Memories of Home - Innocent Witness

Panel 1: The pack moves through the quiet outskirts of the village—small huts with thatched roofs, families sleeping under tattered blankets. Moonlight paints the scene in silver and shadow.

Shadow: (To Lunara, in a low voice) "Keep an eye on that truck, no matter what. If it moves, we follow. And try—don't let anyone get hurt. Not yet."

Panel 2: A creak—a small door opens. A 16-year-old girl, barefoot and wearing a nightgown, emerges, clutching a soft rabbit like a shield. Her eyes widen at the shifting shadows.

Panel 3: Silence falls. The girl's hands tremble, the rabbit quivering in her grasp. In her mind: A wolf? Will it eat my popcorn?

Panel 4: Ironclaw licks his lips, eyeing the rabbit hungrily.

Ironclaw: (Muttering) "Look at this... fresh, tasty little—"

Panel 5: Shadow steps forward, stopping him with a glare.

Shadow: (Angrily) "No, Ironclaw. Remember—no hunting. One wrong move, and every hunter in this pit will be on us."

Panel 6: Panel 6: Tears are welling up in her eyes. She's holding her popcorn tightly (using it as a shield against Tight to protect Rabbit).

Tamanna: (In a trembling voice) "Grandpa says you're monsters... so eat me. But leave my rabbit alone."

Panel 7: Shadow stares without blinking—his red eyes like embers in the darkness. No growl, no attack. Just... watching.

Panel 8: Tamanna's fear transforms into a shy smile—pure, childlike wonder piercing the night.

Tamanna: "You... you're running away, aren't you? From the hunters?"

Tamanna:(Whispering quickly) "I... I won't tell anyone. Promise."

Panel 9: She turns to go inside, but—crunch, crunch—footsteps on the gravel. Her grandfather emerges, in his 40s, disheveled clothes, lines of worry etched on his face.

Grandfather: "Tamanna! What are you doing out here at midnight—?"

Panel 10: His gaze locks onto Shadow. The apprehension intensifies—not the thrill of the hunt, but a father's fear.

He pulls Tamanna behind him, arms outstretched like a flimsy barrier.

Grandfather: (Terrified, voice trembling) "Tamanna... slowly... come behind me..."

Panel 11: Shadow stands still. In the old man's eyes: no hatred, just pure protectiveness—a grandfather shielding his grandchild from wild animals.

Grandfather: (Pleading, trembling)

"P-please... don't hurt my child. I... I won't fight you. Just... go away."

Panel 12: Shouting voices in the distance—the hunters are approaching.

Hunter 6: (Echoing voice) "Check this block too!"

Panel 13: The grandfather's face fills with despair. He knows: if they come, there will be gunfire. His granddaughter will be caught in the crossfire. In a split second—

Grandfather: (Whispering urgently) "Run! Hurry—there's a back garden gate. Get out of here!"

Panel 14: Shadow freezes in surprise. This man... is helping? Tamanna is astonished.

Tamanna: "Grandpa?!"

Grandpa: "Inside, child. Now."

Panel 15: Shadow nods once—a silent thank you in his eyes. The pack vanishes into the garden shadows like smoke.

Panel 16: The hunters turn the corner, their footsteps echoing. Grandpa opens the door wide, feigning calm. Bloodstains catch his eye—he knows the trail leads this way.

Hunter 6: "See anything? That wolf went this way."

Grandpa: (Hesitating, then shaking his head) "Everything's fine here, sir."

Panel 17: A short time later, hiding, Lunara watches as the truck starts up again.

The pack disappears into the darkness of the night, like ghosts behind a veil of smoke.

🔍 THE DISCOVERY

Panel 1: Dawn's gray edge creeps in as the pack reaches an abandoned warehouse on the village fringe. Rusted doors creak open—inside, temporary cages line the walls, some empty, others echoing with faint growls.

SHADOW: "Here. This is it."

Panel 2: They slink inside, noses twitching at the stench of fear and iron.

In a corner: scattered shipping papers, yellowed and urgent.

Panel 3: Close-up on a crumpled manifest board:

NEXT DEPARTURE:

SINGAPORE LUXURY ZOO - SHIP: MERCHANT-07 - DEPARTURE: 7:00 AM *

SHADOW: (muttering) "Merchant-07. That ship. Sails at seven."

Panel 4: Rageclaw glances at a scavenged pocket watch—hands ticking mercilessly.

RAGECLAW: "It's four AM. Three hours. We find that ship... and board it."

🚢 SHIP INFILTRATION - THE WAIT

Panel 1: The port at pre-dawn hush. Massive ships loom like sleeping giants, cranes silent. The pack lurks in barrel shadows, eyes scanning the docks.

Panel 2: Confusion—dozens of vessels, names blurring in the mist.

Which is Merchant-07?

Panel 3: Headlights pierce the fog—a cargo truck labeled EXOTIC TRANSPORTS rolls up, workers unloading clanging cages toward one ship.

Panel 4: Zoom on the ship's hull: Faded paint spells MERCHANT-07.

Cages stack like grim offerings.

SHADOW: "That's our mark."

LUNARA: "Wait for the right moment..."

Panel 5: Night deepens. The port empties—only patrolling guards with flashlights, their steps echoing.

Panel 6: Shadow's paw lifts—signal given. The pack surges forward, low and lethal, blending with the shadows.

Panel 7: At the ship's base: Main hatch barred, a guard yawning nearby.

IRONCLAW: "Side ramp? Or crack the cargo hold?"

Panel 8: Shadow circles, scanning. High up—a ventilation shaft gapes like a metal maw.

SHADOW: "There. Up we go."

Panel 9: Grueling climb—claws scrape rust, wounded ones grit through agony. They squeeze into the tight duct, bodies pressed, breaths syncing in the dark.

SFX: SCRITCH... GRUNT...

Panel 10: They tumble into the cargo hold—dim, vast, moonlight slanting through vents. Stacks of containers tower like urban canyons.

Panel 11: In the corner: Animal cages, some holding wide-eyed beasts—tigers pacing, birds fluttering. But nearer: A food storage crate, labeled FROZEN FISH.

WOLF (collective whisper, excited): "Food. Over there."

Panel 12: Shadow paws the crate open—icy slabs spill out. The pack dives in, tearing into the haul with feral gratitude. Hunger's edge dulls.

SFX: RIP! CRUNCH! TEAR!

Panel 13: Bloodfang nibbles weakly, a faint smile on his muzzle.

BLOODFANG: "Humans' rations... not half bad..."

Panel 14: Nightshade noses a dripping pipe—condensation beads like dew.

NIGHTSHADE: "Water too! Here!"

Panel 15: They lap it up, relief washing over exhausted frames. Fur steams in the chill.

LUNARA: (soft, hopeful) "We can hole up here... three, four days if we stay hidden."

Panel 16: Final wide shot: The pack curls together in the hold's depths, ship rocking gently. Dawn threatens outside. Nixara waits somewhere beyond the waves.

[END OF CHAPTER 3]

Next Chapter Coming Soon