Flower's Story

Chapter 3

It was so quiet. Well, minus the fact that Echo was snoring loudly. But, that wasn't what was keeping me up. Was it the fact that my mom disappeared. Maybe the fact that two of my sisters are dead. It could also be that I cant defend Echo or provide her with food. Maybe it's all three things. But there is nothing I could do. I'm not even six months old yet.

"Flower," Echo said, interrupting my thoughts. "Are we going to be okay?"

"O-of course we are," was the only thing that popped into my mind. "Hey, shouldn't you be getting some sleep?"

"Forget sleep right now. Is mom going to be okay?" How was I supposed to answer that? 'Oh, mom is perfectly okay. She is just somewhere in the world with a crazy person getting tortured, if not DEAD!' That thought gave me cold chills and made me flinch.

"Flower?"

"She is okay, Echo."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Positive?"

"Yes Echo, I'm positive!" Echo jumped back. Her light blue eyes looked up at me with fear.

"I'm sorry. That was mean." I felt horrible now. Worst than ever.

"Its okay Flower. But just know one thing- your not alone." Echo was right. She was dealing with the same problem as me. I needed to make sure I wasn't too hard on her. She might end up leaving.

"Hey, how about we take a nap and then go outside and look for food?" I asked Echo.

"I'd like that very much!" Echo exclaimed as she let out a big yawn. She must be exhausted. Well, I better get some sleep too. I have a long day of hunting ahead of me. I decided it was a good idea to curl up with Echo to make her feel comfortable and warm. With all that happened in the last few hours it was probably the best thing to do. For both Echo and me.

I listened to the quiet hum of the cars outside and the chirp of the crickets. At first it was really annoying. But after a while, it became peaceful and I drifted off to sleep.

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The next morning I expected Echo to be right by my side, fast asleep. But it was the complete opposite. I looked everywhere in the house and never found her. She must be outside without me! Echo is going to end up getting hurt if not worse. I had to find her. But where would she be in the big open world? 

"Echo! Echo, where are you!?" I don't know what I was thinking yelling her name. Maybe I hoped she would answer. Sadly though, she didn't. Now it was time to go outside. I walked all the way downstairs and outside through a hole in the wall. It was small enough that an adult fox couldn't get through but big enough for me to fit. I managed to wriggle out of the house and into the open world. Now to find Echo.

Up ahead behind the fence of our house I could see a set of large ears. I had to find out if it was Echo. I started to walk up to the ears and realized, they weren't Echo's. The fur on the ears were a lot lighter. So, if this wasn't Echo then who was it? It's an intruder! I had to do something. I went closer to the fox and found out that it was the same size as me. Maybe a bit bigger. I could take it.

"Huh? Who is it?" he said in a tired, mumbled voice. I looked at him. Still asleep. To be honest, he looked kinda cute. I really didn't want to attack. Now what do I do? Ask him to leave? That wouldn't work. I sat down trying to think. I growled at myself.

"You know I can see you, right? Now put the teeth away or you'll give me a reason to attack." He spoke so calmly. 

"Sorry," I replied. "I'll leave you alone now." Leaving was probably the best option. I got up and started to walk toward my house.

"Hey, wait!"

I stopped and turned to look at him. "What is it?"

"Do you know a fox about this tall," he used his paw to show how tall the fox is, "dark colored fur, and keeps talking about someone named Flower?"

"Oh my ears! You found Echo!?" I had completely forgotten why I was really out here - to look for Echo.

"Put me down RIGHT NOW!" Echo yelled. "Flower! Tell him to put me DOWN!"

"I will put you down if you stop yelling in my ear. Promise you can do that?" Echo gave the fox, who was still calm, a very evil look and mouthed the word 'Promise'. The fox dropped Echo and she ran straight to me. Echo tried to give me a hug but I pulled away with an upset look.

"Come on Flower. I just want a hug. Didn't you miss me?"

"I did. But why did you run off? I looked everywhere for you. I was worried sick."

"Sorry. I-I just couldn't wait."

"Why didn't you wake me then?!"

"You just looked so peaceful. I didn't want to bother you."

"Let's just go inside," I said with a sigh. "Oh hey, I never got your name."

"Me? I'm Chance," the handsome fox replied.

"Hi Chance. Nice to meet you. I'm Flower." I started toward the house again. I saw Echo walking back to the house as well, tail between her legs and ears down. She looked so sad. I just wanted to go over there and give her a big hug. No. I cant. She ran off without me. Echo needed to be taught a lesson.

But, just as I reached the house I heard a car stop in the road. I looked back to see why. This was no car. It was bigger and scarier. I moved closer to it. I saw two people step out and take a look at the house. MY house! I didn't want them to have it. This had been my families home for as long as I can remember. And what are me and Echo supposed to do? I had to do something.

I looked around to see if I can warn Chance, but he was already long gone. I turned around and ran back to the house to warn Echo instead. But again just as I got inside the house, I was picked up and turned around to be faced by a person. It was terrifying. I couldn't escape. I couldn't warn Echo. What was going to happen to me?

"Mom look!" the person called as she ran me over to the other person. But I didn't really hear that. All I could hear was my mind replaying the same words over and over. No escape.