Ella's Wild Beasts

CHAPTER 9

Ella awoke with the sounds of early morning sounds from the forest. She shivered as her little nest area was damp with dew. It was colder today then it had been the last three days. She sighed, she hadn't made much progress and she didn't know what time of year it was and had no idea how the seasons worked here. Shivering slightly she exited her nest and looked around.

   The first rays of pale early morning light were just starting to light the area and dew still clung to all surfaces. With a small shiver she glanced around and didn't see the fox. Feeling a little sad she hoped it was nearby and would come back. She had grown a little attached to it and also felt comfortable with the thought it would scare anything dangerous away from its territory. Ella could only hope if it came to it the fox would like her enough to protect her. Knowing she needed to get started with her busy day she got down to work.

...

   Ella had dug a fire pit a short distance from her nest and surrounded the edge with large stones. For the last hour she had been collecting fallen branches and sticks. Now with a respectable pile she set out for kindling. Before long she was back with and armful of small thin twigs, dry grasses and leaves, and some bark. With that she gave a nod at her preparations and turned to her earlier prepared fire starting kit. (really just a flattish piece of wood and a straight branch about as long as her forearm and as thick as her thumb) she sat near The fire pit and made a small pyramid of small twigs with shredded leaves and grasses. She kept some back and made a rough bird nest shape with the grasses and leaves. With the last of the preparations in place she got to work.

   Ella had been at it for the good part of two hours and she was getting exhausted. The sun was now higher and between the tiring work of drilling the wood and its heat she was sweating. She had thought she had it twice but the ember had died before she could transfer it and get the fire going. Now she was concentrating and controlling her breathing as she saw smoke once again. She had learned from her past mistakes and kept drilling until the smoke was a little heavier. Feeling confident she quickly tipped the ember into the awaiting tinder nest. With each gentle breath she coaxed more and more smoke until it suddenly burst into flames.

   Feeling excited the put it into the wood pyramid and fed it small twigs and bark while still blowing. Soon she had a stable fire going. With that she shot up and shouted in excitement. Then Ella heard thundering foot steps and growling. Frozen in fear she watched as the fox barreled toward her. She gave a small yelp as it skidded to a halt by her wrapping its tail around her protectively surveying it's surroundings ears back with a snarl until its eyes focused on the fire. It growled and lifted a giant paw as if to swatt it when ella came out of her stupor and shot forward grabbing its arm.

   "WAIT!" She shouted. The shout wasn't necessary as the fox froze upon contact. It stopped growling and lowered its lips and turned to look at her. Leg still raised. She quickly let go and took a couple steps back. "I'm sorry" Ella blurted. "I made the fire. I need it. I can't eat much raw food and I need it for warmth and other reasons." She rambled looking at her feet fidgeting her fingers. She was cut off by whimpering. She glanced up to see the fox looking at her hands. She glanced back down and gasped. They were taw and blistered. It silently leaned forward and sniffed each hand and gave a gentle lick. Ella gasped as it stung her tender flesh. She fox quickly lowered itself to the ground tail between legs and ears back.

   Catching on she said "It's okay fox. You didn't really hurt me. My hands just are sensitive right now... I really need the fire. It was worth some blistered and sore hands. They'll heal in no time you'll see." She gave a gentle smile to the fox. It looked up at her and gave another small whine. Thinking for why the fox would still be like this she gasped earning a flinch from the fox. "Hey it's okay. I was just started. You didn't scare me. I'm not scared of you. You came to protect me when you thought I was in danger. That makes me happy. Im so sorry I scared you. You're so very sweet." She said all this while crouching and gingerly petting the foxes head.

   Upon contact it let out a small sound that almost sounded like a purr. She gave another smile and stood up. "Come here I'll show it to you. It's not that dangerous if you know what you're doing. And it makes food taste really good." Ella walked up and stood in front of the fire as the fox came beside her. Absent-mindedly she stroked its neck as she reached down  and put another stick on the small flame. She felt it tense so kept talking. " this area is just racks and sand. There's nowhere for it to spread. And it's contained in the hole see?" She said pointing at the pit. "I need this to survive. Without it I won't last." With that the fox whined again. So gently grabbed the fur on its shoulder and led it to the pool.