Born to Race

Chapter 10

Snowy curled up under the tree with Falcon. They had been in the forest for five days. The dogs had found a den made of ferns and grass a night ago. It was cosy and made them feel safe. While outside Snowy and Falcon heard the sounds of growls and cries. There were probably foxes around. Foxes were vicious and very dangerous. Snowy had never seen one, but she knew they were real and they lived in the countryside.

The next morning as dawn broke, Falcon went hunting for food. He foraged through the leaves and twigs. Tracking a scent to a burrow. The burrow was covered in rabbit scent, a strong rabbit scent, but the creature had apparently not been here for several hours. Falcon licked his lips and his stomach growled. He hid and waited for the rabbit to emerge.

Time went by slowly, the greyhound grew bored of waiting. But then there was a rustle in the bushes. A grown rabbit hoped towards its hole. Falcon shot out and chased the rabbit. It darted between trees and under bushes. Falcon barked and finally caught up, pinning the creature with his paws. He sank his fangs into the rabbit fur and lifted it up. Falcon carried it back to the den.

"You caught that all by yourself?" Snowy asked.

"Yes," Falcon panted and put the rabbit down.

The two greyhounds ripped the fur from the prey's flank and shared the prey equally. After eating they began their long journey back home. Padding side by side through the forest.

The forest was never ending. Its canopy hid the ground from the sun. Until they got to a rocky glade. Below was more forest and mountains that stretched far and wide. A fox appeared out of the brush. It growled, letting them know he was here. Falcon growled back and his hackles began to rise, the male fox darted forward, tucking its tail, he snapped at Falcon's throat. Grabbing onto the skin folds. The brindle and white greyhound snarled and shook off the fox. Lunging to sink his teeth into its back. Snowy snapped at the fox's ears and muzzle. It eventually whined before running away into the woods.

"That was close," Falcon breathed. He had blood dripping from his neck. The fox had bitten him.

"Here," Snowy licked the blood from his wound.

After that they climbed down the rocks and continued through the dense forest. Thistles and sharp sticks scraped their pelts. Causing smaller wounds to appear. The dogs eventually found a road and stopped on the side. It was silent except for the birds and cries from large buzzards and falcons.

"What do we do now? Do we cross or go up the road?" Falcon asked.

"We came to the race from the east. So therefore we keep going east," Snowy said.

The two greyhounds headed east, following the road. Snowy had a good sense of direction and navigation skills. She would help them get back to the yard. So they could free the others.

~

The road went into a small town. Snowy and Falcon padded down the street. Sniffing all the strange and new scents around them.

"Do you think there are other dogs around?' Falcon asked.

"I don't know, I think I smell some," Snowy said.

They turned a corner into a busy street and found a trash can full of delicious smells. Falcon reached up with his paws and looked inside. He pulled out a bag containing a leftover sandwich.

"Smells delicious," Snowy wagged her tail despite it being from the trash.

They ate it hungrily, licking a few traces off the paper before continuing down the path.

Cars zoomed by and people walked past them in a hurry. The dogs found a vent producing warm air and they laid down next to it. Falling asleep as the warmth washed over them.

They woke up to the laughs and shouts of humans. Two human boys were throwing small stones at them. They looked angry and wanted the dogs to leave. These humans are nothing like the girl or the boy from the race track. Snow remembered that night with a pang of sadness and guilt. She had left her pack and they still had not found them again. Falcon rose to his paws and let out a vicious snarl. Frightening the two boys. A woman shouted for them to stop, making them run off. Then Snowy and Falcon left the vents and the warmth.

They kept on walking until they came to a park. The park was all grass with some trees and benches. Snowy barked and ran to the park. Falcon followed and they played together in the grass. There was a puddle of water on the concrete path in the park so Snowy drank her fill. Falcon did the same and they rested underneath a tree.

"Do you think we will ever get back?" Snowy asked.

Falcon watched the sky for a moment. Then he shook himself and sighed. "I hope so."

Snowy watched as a family came to their park with their dog. The dog and the children began playing together. Throwing a ball for their pet. Snowy felt envious. She had never been in a family before. Not a proper one. She wished that she could though. Falcon growled as he watched the little dog.

"What's wrong?" Snowy asked.

"Rabbit..." Falcon curled his lip back and snarled. He crept closer to the family.

"No! It's a dog," Snowy barked frantically, not wanting her friend to attack another innocent dog.

Falcon's eyes were on the small dog. He was watching it like an eagle watching its prey. The brindle and white greyhound did not move, he blinked and licked his lips. But Snowy blocked his way and lowered her head to bark for his attention.

Falcon shook his head and stood up. "Sorry..."

"It's okay, come on," Snowy barked.

The two greyhounds padded out of the park and across the street. They got to the edge where they saw a shop that was selling food. Parked near the shop was a truck and a dog sat in the back. The dog was a male red labrador retriever. He looked about Falcon and Snowy's age as well.

"Alright boy!" A man exited the shop carrying a bone. He wore an army jacket and had a green cap on.

He noticed the two greyhounds eyeing his bone. Smiling, he bent down to say hello.

"Well what have we got here?" he chuckled, "Two strays, looking for food." He got up and re-entered the shop.

Snowy and Falcon watched him as he went in and bought two more bones. The labrador retriever barked impatiently.

"Who are you?" he asked.

Snowy and Falcon looked up at the red dog. He didn't look threatening, only a little curious.

"I'm Falcon, this is Snowy, who are you?"

"The Master and the pack call me Major, Sir Major by the town dogs and people."

"Nice to meet you Major," Falcon barked and wagged his tail.

Major grunted a reply and licked his lips as his master came out and gave him his bone. Then The Master lifted Snowy and Falcon into his truck and gave them their bones. He gave the three dogs a good scratch behind the ears before driving the truck out of town. Snowy and Falcon were finally heading somewhere. And hopefully it was back to their pack.