She let out yowls of dismay as she ran through the forest, her paws numb from running. She heard hungry jaws snapping at her tail as she slowed down. She whipped around, facing the enemy. A dog, with a cold stare that gleamed with a thirst for blood. Blaze stepped back, her pelt bristling with fear. The dog let out a snarl, bunching its muscles. Time went slow as the dog leapt. She gasped for air, not ready for pain. Suddenly, as Blaze winced, a grey blur knocked into the dog. She took it as a chance to run, and out of the corner of her eye she saw a wolf, pinning the dog down with a low growl. Blaze didn't look back, running into the misty forest. She stopped in the heart of the woodland, panting for breath.
"Blaze." A voice grumbled all around her.
"Blaze!" Her sisters annoyed voice repeated, snapping her awake. Blaze opened her eyes reluctantly, and realised she was led on the floor, limbs splayed out and blanket and pillow messily placed in different corners of the room. She ignored the heat nagging at her forehead and sat upright, looking at her annoyed sister. She must've fell off of her bed. Blaze got up and did her bed silently. She finished and just walked out to the kitchen.
"Blaze, are you okay?" Her dad called.
Blaze suddenly realised how hot she felt, and how numb her shaking legs were.
"Oh, I.. guess not." She mumbled, "aren't we moving today?" She felt a pang of sadness.
"Remember it's just to see the city for the weekend, we aren't really moving unless we like it. A school is available right at the
edge of the city and I've got you there Friday and half day Monday. And, it's fun Thursday, so enjoy yourself and get packing. I'll pack spare stuff just in case." Her dad said, busily sorting food in the fridge.
"Okay." She grumbled, dragging her feet into her bedroom. She folded her blanket and stuffed it into her suitcase. She then grabbed a few of her jumpers and shirts, and some joggers and leggings. She then grabbed her ears and tail and stuffed them in the suitcase too, as well as a hairbrush and some other stuff, like her phone, towel and charger. She heaved the suitcase out to the kitchen, dumping it by the table. Her father flashed her a grateful look, before he dragged it out to the car. She walked to the sofa and slouched down, remembering her dream. She was somehow... very grateful to the wolf, despite it being a dream. She felt like in wolves she could trust now. But then Amber shook her head.
"It was just a dream." She reminded herself aloud.
"What was?" Ellie butted in.
"My dream." Amber snapped.
"Okay, whatever." Ellie grumbled, "kids at school are playing cats sometimes, in my year. Do you wish you were in my year?"
"I guess." Amber sighs, a small smile creeping up her face. Ellie smiled back, walking out of the door. Amber followed, locking the door. She then walked to the car and hopped in.
"We're staying in the apartments." Her dad sang happily.
"Cool. Do I get my own bedroom, instead of sharing?"
"Yes, for once. Ellie is a bit of a noisy one, isn't she?" Her father teased. Ellie smiled mischievously, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, you're in the car. I was hoping we left you." Her dad joked, patting Ellie's head playfully, one hand on the wheel.
"Hey!" Ellie grumbled, her voice mock annoyed but her eyes bright and cheerful.
"Okay, buckle up for the longest car ride ever." Her father muttered, laying back in his seat and basically snoring.
"Great." Ellie grumbled, pushing their father's chair.
"Oi, I'll be less loud!" Her father sniffed, before slouching in his chair and quietly breathing in a small nap.
Blaze yawned, looking out the window. They had just entered the city, and passed the school she'd temporarily be attending. She wasn't excited about that part, but she saw a pop up shop with tails and paw gloves.
"The lights are cool." Ellie mumbled, her eyes fixed on the plenty of lights. Blaze nodded.
"Our apartment... here?" Her dad mumbled, looking confused. The sat nav beeped, but there was just a big shop. Blaze looked ahead and saw an apartment building.
"There! Go down the road." Blaze called, pointing.
"Yes, good spot my little phoenix." Her dad replied proudly. They drove down to the building. It had a car park in front of the lobby, and an elevator. They weren't that high up, and that upset Blaze, but it was fine. She walked in, and with her father, dad and little sister, they went up the elevator. Amber walked into the apartment, and straight to her room. She realised she had a balcony. It wasn't part of her room, but it was right next to it, hidden a little. She covered the curtains like it was a window. Amber decided to do vocals that night.
The cold breeze settled through her hair, and relaxed all of her senses. She felt the moonlight's cool presence, and looked up at the stars. She was fully aware of a dog howling above her. Not directly above, but to her right. She then heard another howl. More like a wolf's. She looked up to see a boy with a beanie that had ears on, howling through the night. She joined his vocals, yowling back in time to her dream. It was just like when she was being chased, but with calmer, more confident yowls.
"Oh, hi." The wolf boy called, "uh, you new here?"
"Yes. It's cool to howl like that. And hey, my name's Blaze." Blaze introduced herself to the wolf boy.
"I'm uh.. uhm... Alex." Alex called.
"That's a nice name, wolf boy." Blaze called back, smiling.
"Thanks, cat girl." Alex responded warmly, "what school do you go to?"
"The one at the end of the city, but it's temporary, how bout you?"
"Same, but it's forever." Alex replied, his eyes less bright, but full of wariness.
"Do they accept you? I mean- as a furry or what knot?"
"No. And I'm a therian! A wolf therian."
"I'm a therian. A cat therian. I'll see you tomorrow morning, wolf boy."
