Seasons The Fox Heart (Book one) Redfire

Chapter 9

Morning dawned in through the earth, making Redfire stir. A single ray of sunlight beamed inside the earth and was lying on the ground, looking like a tiny sun. Redfire looked at the silver fur of Peony, who was curled next to him, still in her slumber. Her chest rose up and down as she breathed. She looked so peaceful and calm. Redfire looked up and noticed Lightwing was missing... again. He sighed deeply. Not again. Redfire quietly got to his feet and padded out of the earth. Dawn was breaking, so the sky was filled with milky colors. The air was crisp and smelled sweet. Redfire inhaled and exhaled deeply. This was perfect. Calm and very serene. Birds chirped their morning song, and the trees dripped dew from their leaves. Wind whistled through gently, rustling the trees branches. Nature's morning song was beautiful. A soft rustle jumped him from his thoughts. Lightwing pushed himself out of the bushes, carrying a plump rabbit in his jaws.
"Lightwing," Redfire sighed.
The fennec fox shrugged. "Thought you guys might be hungry. I've got more over there." Redfire looked up in the direction Lightwing jerked his muzzle. It seemed dark and damp. The trees held a ghastly glow even from the shine of the sun.
"Ok," answered Redfire. Redfire trotted into the bushes, tugging at the brambles and branches. It tore through his fur, but it wasn't enough to hurt him. Soon, he pulled out and stood in front of the ghastly forest. It looked worse from closer up. Redfire's belly growled, and he licked his lips. The food sounded really good. Quietly, Redfire padded into the forest and onto some fallen leaves. The forest looked sick and sad like a disease swept through it. Redfire shuddered as he walked through. Where's the food, he thought, Lightwing said it was in here. Redfire halted his walk and sat on his haunches. What if Lightwing led me into a trap? I hope not, he thought. Suddenly, wind tore through the forest and shook everything violently. Digging his claws into the dirt, Redfire tried to stand his ground and not get blown away by the wind.
"Redfire."
"Who said that." Redfire looked up bewildered by who called him. Their wasn't a person in sight. Maybe it was his imagination. The wind howled again, but this time, more fierce. Its speed increased immensely, and tore trees limbs off. Redfire gasped as he saw tree limbs fly at him. They were too large to jump over and too low to jump under. One hit, and it could knock him unconscious. But if he let go of his grip on the ground, he would fly backward from the force of the wind. The branch hurled toward him as he shut his eyes. But their was no impact. Redfire waited for the hit, but it never came. Opening his eyes, he saw a sight you would have to see to believe. A wall of fire burned in front of him and had melted the branch. It burned in a heap of ashes unharmful. Redfire blinked several times, thinking he was dreaming or it was an illusion, but it was all real. I'm saved, he thought, but how? As soon as it appeared, it decipated, and all went silent, including the wind. Redfire sighed. He picked up the scent of food and saw two rabbits lying dead on the ground. Finally, he thought, now let's go back.