Rising (Revised & Edited)

Chapter 2

I awoke to an upset stomach and got up as the smell hit me, the smell of death. My father still hadn't moved. I knew he wouldn't, so I nuzzled him one last time before trotting back towards the bush I had hid in yesterday. The pains in my stomach had increased as the time went on, I let out a yelp. I crouched as I tried to see why I was hurting. Was it because I was hungry? I'd never gone this long without food. Father or mother always made sure we had something to eat.

I heard a rustling in the leaves near me and a moment later, a mouse came scuttling out. My mouth started to water at the sight of it and drool dribbled out of my lips. I had never caught my own food before. It couldn't be that hard, could it? If mother and father can do it, so can you.

I trotted behind the mouse and it moved faster. My instincts kicked in and I chased after it, pouncing. I landed a little too short, hitting my nose on a tree. I yelped as pain shot up my snout from my nose, blood leaking out of it. The mouse ran off before I could try catching it again. I slumped in defeat, whimpering at my hurt nose. Maybe it is hard catching your own food...

As I sat there whimpering, I smelled something. I sniffed the air, following the scent. It wasn't long before I came across a rabbit burrow; I was smelling the rabbits hiding inside. There was one that was an adult, too big for me to take down on my own, so I lay down in front of the burrow. Whenever it peaked its head out, I let out a low growl.

I was a pup still, and not an incredibly old one at that, but it still was scared as it cowered back down. This went on for hours, I was lucky as there was a small puddle of water I could drink from. "Good pup," I heard a deep, rumbly voice say in my head. I felt panic flair inside my chest. What? Was all I could think. The voice didn't speak again, maybe it was a voice the wind carried. If so, I'd smell them and hide before they saw me, just as father always said.

The hours turned to a day and the day turned into two. I was growing impatient and I even tried snatching the rabbit a few times only to nearly get my eye clawed out. "Patience, little one," that rumbly voice sounded again, making me jump.

Who are you? I thought. I was disappointed when I got no answer. I was too hungry to worry about it. I could bring it up to mother when she found me.

Finally, on the third day I noticed the rabbit had stopped peeking its head out and when it tried, it smelled weak with defeat. I got up slowly and eagerly. My mouth started watering at the thought of food. The rabbit stuck his head out one last time and I grabbed it, sinking my small teeth into its neck. It let out a soft squeal, hot, rich blood filling my mouth as it weakly kicked before going limp. I carried its heavy body out, then tore into it as my hunger clawed angrily.

I had finally made the pain in my stomach go away as I ate and moved on. I found a river, drinking greedily, as I haven't drunk anything for a few days, save a few mouthfuls of puddle water. My stomach felt as though it would burst by the time I was done.

I lay in the afternoon sun, lazily dozing off. The sounds of the birds chirping, leaves rustling as squirrels flitted about made me relax. I didn't even worry about thinking of what had happened. It was almost like it was just a dream.

I heard a commotion from across the river and perked my ears up. Perhaps it's just mother? "I told you there's nothing out here. None of the others found anything yesterday, and we won't find anything now," a voice said, a bit frustrated.

I froze as panic overtook me, the events of the morning and the previous day coming back to my mind. That's not mother! I started to shake with fear and when two wolves pushed their way through the thistles, I backed away quickly. Could they be the ones who had attacked?! I have to hide! HIDE!