Quick -- think of your worst fear. If that’s too hard, you can start small if you want to. Maybe you’re afraid of spiders. Or you’re afraid of the dark. Everyone is afraid of something.

Think about it. Reach deep down into your mind, and find your darkest memories. Think of those horrible moments when you felt hopeless, isolated, terrified. Then think about what made you feel that way.

It’s all right, now. You can take as much time as you want. But don’t take too long, because I’d like to move on with this story as soon as possible.

Are you ready now?

Good.

Keep thinking about that worst fear. Imagine that you are facing it at this very moment, and that there is no possible way to escape. Do you feel that ominous tingle creeping up your spine? Do you feel the goosebumps rising on your skin? Do you feel your heartbeat accelerate, and your breathing go shallow?

Now, while you’re imagining that feeling of absolute terror, imagine it multiplied by -- oh, I don’t know. A million? And I promise you: that is how afraid I feel whenever I face my worst fear.

So, I assume that you’re wondering three things by now: why I’m making you do this, what my worst fear is, and lastly, who I am.

Let’s start with that first question. Why am I doing this? Why am I making you think of your worst fear? Because once this story’s out, I want you to think about this fear of yours again, and consider whether it is truly frightening or not. After I tell you my tale, probably a good deal of you -- all of you people out there who are reading this -- will change your minds, and realize that you don’t have all that much to be afraid of. And maybe next time you come face-to-face with your fear, it won’t scare you as much anymore. I guess you could say that I’m trying to make you a more courageous person.

Moving on.

As I mentioned, you’re probably also dying to know what my worst fear is. After all, it’s only fair. I made you tell me yours, and now I have to tell you mine.

Here goes. My worst fear is ... the Wolves.

This is the part where you’re thinking to yourself: Wolves? That’s a normal enough fear. What’s so terrifying about wolves?

But that’s because you’re picturing those ordinary, oversized puppy dogs.

See, those are nothing compared to the Wolves that I’m talking about. I’m not talking about anything normal, or about anything that even belongs in this world. I’m talking about demons.

I guess I’m getting a little ahead of myself, though. Let me go back for a second and explain this.

Yes, the Wolves vaguely resemble the normal kind. There are just a few key differences. First of all, they’re larger. Secondly, they’re stronger. They also have retractable claws, as sharp as knives, and piercing, blood-red eyes. Oh, and they can talk. And when they speak, their rasping voices are enough to give you nightmares for the rest of your life.

I think that’s about as much as I can say about the Wolves for now, in a few short words. Although, there’s one other thing that I should probably mention.

Apparently, it’s my destiny to defeat them.

Now, I guess that leads us to our last question: Who am I?

My name is Zoë Drake. That’s all I can tell you for now. If you want to know more -- well then, keep reading.