Luminous Elements | Book 1: Fire

Chapter 3 - Wolf

        "I'm a . . . a wolf."

        Blaze blinked in surprise. Regnard didn't look like a wolf.

        As if Regnard had read his mind, he shook himself. The ashes that had been in Regnard's fur fell off and Regnard's pelt suddenly had the pattern of a wolf's pelt. Regnard was a black wolf with black eyes. Blaze just stared, astonished. Before Blaze could say anything, Regnard said, "I won't hurt you. I just thought it'd be best to tell you the truth. I'll leave if that's what you want me to do, though.

        Blaze hesitated. Then he got the rabbit it gave it to Regnard. "Here. You can eat it. I think you're okay now, so you can go to your . . . pack now."

        Regnard flinched at the word 'pack'. "Are you sure . . ." he pointed with his muzzle in the direction of the rabbit. Blaze nodded. Although it was true that prey was scarce, if Regnard was a wolf, then half a rabbit wouldn't fill him up. Blaze could find something else.

        Regnard stared at Blaze for a long moment before nodding, picking up the rabbit, and walking away. Blaze sighed with relief. If Regnard had seen what happened back there in the building with the fire, he would've probably mentioned something about that by now.

        Blaze sat down and stared at his paws. His gaze flicked to his white paw which he quickly hid beneath his fur. Blaze sighed. At least this time everything had gone okay with the fire. Last time Blaze and fire were together . . .

        Blaze heaved a sigh and lay down, his chin over his front paws. His eyes caught sight of his white paw again and he quickly sat up. He stared at his white paw. Then he looked away, not being able to bear the memories that dared try to emerge. Blaze didn't want to think about what happened a long time ago. Today he hadn't fought, anyway, so he hadn't broken anything . . .

        Blaze sighed. Already he was starting to think about it. He walked away. Hunting would keep his mind away from it. He passed the building and was about to continue on his way when he stopped abruptly. He turned around and stared at the building. The firefighters were all around it, and their fear scent was so strong that Blaze nearly got knocked off his paws. The fire on the building was so strong that it seemed impossible to turn off with just water.

        The firefighters knew this. Blaze knew this. He heaved a sigh. You aren't fighting, Blaze reminded himself. You're going to help, without tooth and . . . Blaze shook himself. As much as he didn't want to do what he could do, he couldn't bear seeing anyone helpless in a situation like this, especially when he knew that he could help.

        Blaze stepped forward. He looked around. No one was noticing. All the firefighters were too busy with their water hoses. Blaze took a deep breath. He lifted his white paw and set it on the ground with a thump. Just when he set it down, a single drop of water fell on him. Blaze gasped.

        "Mrow!" he hissed, clenching his teeth as pain surged through him. That single drop of water disconcerted him, and the fire, instead of shrinking, grew even stronger. The firefighter yelped with surprise, their fear scent growing even stronger than before. Blaze knew what they were thinking. That the fire couldn't be defeated. We've failed! was what they thought. Meanwhile, all that Blaze was thinking was, No. I failed. Blaze sat down, his ears flattened with defeat. I was always a failure.

        "Blaze!" Blaze whipped around, confused. Suddenly he realized that Regnard had spoken. "What are you doing here?"

        Blaze sighed. "I failed."