Seasons The Fox Heart (Book one) Redfire

Chapter 7

She heard us, thought Redfire, can we escape her now? Shadow glared furiously at Redfire before whipping her head over to Lightwing.

"Traitor" she hissed. "You're plotting with our prisoners to escape here."

"I'm done listening to you, Shadow," snarled Lightwing. "You tried to use me to do your evil."

"And it worked," she shrugged. "Through you many traitors are no longer living. No matter where you go you will still have their blood on your paws." 

Lightwing shuddered and rose to his paws. He's stricken by her words, thought Redfire, he doesn't want to be a murderer anymore, but he can't go back to the past and fix everything. Lightwing faced Shadow with a look of determination. Redfire could make out lightning sparking from his eyes like before.

Lightwing turned to Redfire and shouted, "run" before he pounced on Shadow.

Talon jumped on top of Lightwing trying to pull him off Shadow. 

Redfire whipped around to Silverbird and Peony. "Silverbird, protect Peony and run. I'll get the kit."

Silverbird nodded and Peony padded over Redfire and pushed her muzzle into his neck.

"Please be careful," she whispered.

"I will," replied Redfire 

Silverbird licked Peony's head, and with one final glance at Redfire, she and her father broke through the gathered foxes and raced away.

"Stop them," howled Talon.

Now's my chance, thought Redfire, I have to rescue the kit.

Gathering all his strength, Redfire leaped into the crowd of Loners. Rain began pouring down and lightning flashed across the sky. Thunder rumbled making Redfire tremble. Loners cried out in fear and cowered to the ground. Redfire turned his gaze to where Shadow, Talon, and Lightwing were fighting. Lightning flashed in the fennec eyes. He's the cause of this, thought Redfire, I can make back to the clearing and rescue the kit. Ducking his head, Redfire pushed through the frightened Loners trying to evade getting noticed. Soon he made it out of the group and lifted his head. He could just make out a bit of the dirt clearing not too far away. He took a paw step forward, but hesitated and looked back at Lightwing who was pinned down by Talon. I have to go, Redfire thought, I'm sorry. Letting out an exhale, he turned around and bounded away to the clearing. None of the Loners seemed to notice his disappearance. Hope fluttered in Redfire's chest. Rain splashed heavily on the ground. Redfire was getting soaked still he carried on. Finally, he broke into the clearing and found the oak tree and the dirt pile leading up to the hole. I can do this, he thought, I just need to make this jump. Redfire took a step back then raced forward and jumped. He landed on the middle of it, but not quite the top. Claws raked the dirt making some spill from the pile. Come on, he thought, I can make it. Slowly but surely, he pulled himself up digging his claws in the dirt. Up and up, he went not even caring if he fell.  After one last tedious pull, he had reached the top. There in front was the hole. He got to his feet and peered inside.

"Hello," he called. "Is anybody in here?"

A soft whimper came from the hole and a small marble kit padded out. Her black and white fur was drenched in mud with several leaves sticking to them. However, her lavender eyes scintillated brightly. 

"Hello," Redfire said softly. "My name's Redfire, I'm here to rescue you."

"You are?" she whispered.

"Yes, I'm traveling with a friend of mine who is very sweet and will take good care of you."

"Really?" asked the kit. She stuck her head outside, but immediately brought it back inside. "It's cold and wet," she squeaked. "And I didn't see your friend."

"Oh, don't worry," answered Redfire. "She and father left here trying to get away from Shadow. Their safe." I hope, he added to himself.

The kit raised a small eyebrow an suspicion.

"Look we don't have time," said Redfire, Shadow could be on her way here now. Me and my friend and her father were being held prisoner and we just escaped. But I came to get you. A Loner named Lightwing told me you were kept here."

"Lightwing," she spat. "No way, you shouldn't trust him at all, he's dangerous."

"He's not anymore, answered Redfire, he's good now. "Look, just trust me and we can go."

"Fine," she said rolling her lavender eyes, "Just don't drag me in the water when you carry me."

"Sure."

The kit padded out and Redfire bent down and picked her up by her scruff. He scanned his surroundings. There was only one way getting down.

"Hold tight," he mumbled to her through her fur.

"You got me." she answered.

Redfire jumped down off the pile. His stomach dropped and he closed his mouth fighting the urge to vomit.  But they made it to the ground unharmed.

"You made my stomach drop," complained the kit.

"Sorry," mumbled Redfire.

"Stop them," came an angry female voice.

Shadow! What happened to Lightwing? Was he ok? Did he survive? Many thoughts went through his mind of what could have happened to the Loner. Please be on, he pleaded silently. As if his plead was heard, Lightwing came limping out of the forest. Scarlet blood spilled from his side and a thin tendril of it spilled from his mouth.

"Run," he howled.

Angry barks and cries sounded from the part of the forest Lightwing just broke through. The Loners were trying to pursue them. 

"Quickly," Lightwing howled again.

Redfire nodded and raced away with Lightwing behind him. This reminds me of the day me Peony and my mother were running through the forest away from the dogs, thought Redfire,  hopefully, no one dies this time. Soon two more foxes joined them. Peony and Silverbird. Peony came over to Redfire half limping half running. 

"We waited for you, she called, I didn't want to leave you."

Redfire nodded at her and continued on. Relief flooded in his chest. Silverbird came up to them.

"Over there," he said jerking his muzzle to a field of tall grass. "We can hide in there."

He rushed into the tall grass with Peony behind him. Redfire skidded to a halt and searched for Lightwing. The former Loner raced forward and without a word, dove into the tall grass. Redfire went in last. Soft rustling came from him and the others as they walked through the tall grass. The rain stopped and the clouds began going away. The thunder and lightning had stopped too. The Loners cries sounded far in the distance.

"Will they follow us," asked the kit.

"I doubt it," replied Lightwing. "Many of them are very stupid."

Slowly, they traveled through the tall grass. Redfire held his breath. Hopefully, the Loners hadn't caught up to them. Thye slowly padded through the tall grass scarcely making a sound. Minutes passed. Redfire was unsure if there was even going to be an end. Farther and farther, they went. But soon, the other side was a little visible. Almost there. Redfire's heart pounded in his chest. More of the forest became visible now. We made it, Redfire thought. Soon they made out of the tall grass and turned back around. Silence. The Loners didn't follow. 

"We made it," breathed Peony.

Redfire set down the kit and let her scamper over to Peony.

"Were safe," said Lightwing. "But that doesn't mean Shadow won't stop looking for us.

"Were still being hunted," exclaimed Peony. 

Lightwing nodded. "Yep."

Peony brushed her muzzle into Redfire's fur.

"Where do we go now?" he heard her whisper.

Redfire looked up at the sky that was now a mix of red, yellow, pink, and blue. The rain had stopped, and the sky was clear showing the sights of sunset.

"Home."