The legend of friendship: Never losing faith again

Chapter 12: The Dark Woods

Madeline went back to sleep on her bed while Arvid slept on his. Madeline had already dozed off into dreamland dreaming about frolicking in a field of grass, trees, and shiny glistening caves.

"Oh my goodness, it's beautiful!" She cried in joy, as she ran happily through the trees.

Knock knock knock!

"Huh?" Madeline suddenly woke up to a second knock on the door.

"This is the congressman." A familiar voice said. "Open the door at once. We need to search your cabin."

"It's Father!" Arvid whispered anxiously, as he ran into Madeline's room.

"Don't panic!" Madeline said. "Just follow me out the window. Hurry."

Arvid quietly opened the window and followed Madeline out the back window.

"Hey!" Regi whispered to Madeline and Arvid. "Good luck, you two. See you again someday." Madeline nodded and she and Arvid disappeared into the trees.

Williams III knocked on the door again. "Open the door. This is serious business." He said sternly.

"What are you gonna do if they ARE in there?" Father Wolf asked.

"Open the door. This is your last chance." Williams ordered, ignoring Father Wolf.

Click!

The door slowly opened and Regi appeared at the door. "Good lord, that's a lot of humans and wolves all in one place." He said in shock. "What can I do for you?"

"We need to search your entire cabin at once." Williams III said, suddenly walking into the cabin along with several patriots. They searched the entire cabin and found nothing.

"They are not here, sir." A patriot said.

"They had to be here." Williams III said. "Their footprints led to this very cabin."

"I don't understand what you're talking about." Regi said. "There is no one here but us squirrels."

"Yeah, so unless you have a right or anything, get out of here." Hank chimed in, prompting several patriots to aim their rifles at the squirrels.

"Tell us where they went." Williams III said strictly. "Or we will have no choice but to burn down your entire cabin."

"We. Know. Nothing!" Hank said aggressively. "We will not give you what you want! We would rather die!"

"Hank!" Leslie snapped. "We barely knew those two when they came in!" She covered her own mouth in fear, realizing what she just said.

"They were here after all." One of the Patriots, John, said. "And you lied to us when we came to question you."

"Enough." Williams III said. "Tell us where they went. Now."

"They went that way!" A random squirrel said, pointing at the end of the cabin. "They disappeared through those trees! Just please don't kill us!"

"Gerald!" Regi shouted. "What have you done?!"

"Hank's loudmouth wife said we hardly knew them so what's the point?!"

"Loudmouth?!" Leslie snapped. "You're more of a loudmouth than I am!"

"Silence!" Williams III shouted. "Everyone, let's move out. We have to find Madeline and Arvid." Williams III and the patriots and wolves marched off.

"What have we done...?" Regi said anxiously.

Meanwhile...

Madeline and Arvid ran through the trees as fast as they could, hoping they don't get caught.

"It's so dark out here!" Arvid cried. "How are we gonna find a way out?!"

"Just keep going!" Madeline said. "Follow me! I know where I am going!"

"I can't see you!" Arvid cried. "I don't know where I am!"

"Just grab onto my back!" Madeline said.

"Okay!" Arvid said, placing his hands on Madeline. "Is this your back?"

"No, that's my butt." Madeline said.

"Oh, sorry." Arvid said, grabbing onto Madeline's back. "Is this your back?"

"Yes, that's my back." Madeline said. "Now, hold on. And don't let go." They continued running through the woods as it gets darker and darker. No lights anywhere.

Almighty God, don't fail me now. Madeline thought, determined. She and Arvid ran through more trees until Arvid tripped on a boulder.

"Gah!" He cried, as he fell. "Madeline?! Where in the world are you?!" No answer. "Madeline?!"

"Arvid?!" Madeline called out, looking around. "Arvid, where are you?! Arvid!" Arvid was nowhere in sight. "Arvid!!" Madeline shouted. "Where did you go?!" Madeline ran through the direction she came through, repeatedly crying out, "Arvid! Where are you?!"

"I'm over here!" Arvid called out. "Madeline!"

"I'm coming, Arvid!" Madeline cried. Madeline continued running and running until she finally found Arvid.

"Arvid! Oh, thank goodness I found you!" She cried in relief, as she jumped up on her hindlegs and hugged Arvid, her head against his chest.

"What is this, a hug?" Arvid asked.

"Just relieved you're okay." Madeline said, letting go of Arvid. "Now, come on. We have to keep running. Hold onto my back." Arvid grabbed Madeline.

"Again, that's my butt." Madeline said.

"Oh, sorry." Arvid said, grabbing Madeline's back, as they both continued running through the darkened woodland landscape.

"Whatever you do, don't let go, okay?" Madeline said.

"Yes, Madeline, I won't let go of your furry wolf back." Arvid sighed.

They continued running through the woods until it began to get slightly less darker.

"I see the moon!" Arvid said. "We're almost out of these dark woods!"

"I hear something!" A voice said from afar. "Let's move!"

"The patriots are catching up to us!" Madeline cried. "Run!" Arvid let go of Madeline's back as they both dashed through the brightening woods.

"Keep running, Arvid." Madeline whispered, as Arvid ran right behind her. "We're almost out of the woods."

Madeline and Arvid kept running until they both made it out of the woods. They saw the patriots searching the dark woods from afar.

"Oh, lord!" Arvid gasped. "We-we made it!"

"Yes....we did." Madeline gasped. They both continued gasping for breath until the patriots disappeared deeper into the woods.

"Excuse me.....Madeline." Arvid suddenly said, catching Madeline's attention. "Thanks for...........getting us out of those woods. If it wasn't for you, I......we would have gotten caught by the law."

"It's no trouble, Arvid." Madeline said, smiling. "I am glad I could help. We are friends after all."

We are? Arvid thought. I'm grateful that she got us out of those woods, but.......I'm still a but afraid of her. Even of she is.........rather kindhearted....

"Are......you okay?" Madeline asked concerningly.

"Yes.." Arvid responded. "..I'm fine.."