Survivors The Path Of The Pack: Thunder's Journey

Chapter 12

I hate noise. Just yesterday I was appreciative of the comforting noise of the pack. I regret that. I wish it was just me, Mickey, and Breeze again. Especially Mickey. Breeze too. But Mickey as well. I should talk to him if I get the chance–

"What're you thinking about, Thunder?" Chase asked, licking Thunder's wound clean.

"Oh, nothing!" Thunder said in forced sweetness, slumping her head to the side.

"Okay, when you get the chance you should–"

Thunder zoned out for the fifth time that morning. Before she'd fallen asleep the night before, Sweet had asked Chase to take care of her wounds.

And of course, I love you, Chase, but you're pretty overbearing. Especially when I just want to be alone. Thunder thought with a small pang of guilt.

"Thunder!" Chase hissed, "Are you even listening?"

Thunder groaned and rolled to her back, cringing as she hit her gash. "I just woke up, Chase." She sighed, closing her eyes, "Just– You're a good friend and all but you're being a little overbearing."

Chase huffed and narrowed her eyes, harshly licking at Thunder's gash, "You're a good friend, too, when you aren't whining about me!"

Thunder scowled but didn't have the energy to fight Chase that morning because her patrol would be leaving soon. Thunder sat forward as she heard the familiar paw steps of Daisy.

"Hey, we're leaving soon, Thunder. Is she alright to go, Chase?" Daisy asked, plopping herself by Thunder's side.

Thunder looked up hopefully at her ginger caretaker. Chase made a funny face, "She's not fully healed..."

"I'll take it easy!" Thunder whined, "Please, I can't stay in this den for the rest of the day! It's driving me insane!"

Chase scoffed and rolled her eyes but she flicked her tail in agreement, "Alright, I guess I can check up on you later–"

"Thanks!" Thunder hurriedly barked. She scrambled to her paws and pushed Daisy out of the den before Chase could change her mind.

Daisy yelped as she was nudged into the open, "You really want to go on patrol, don't you?"

Thunder stopped pushing and instead moved past Daisy and trotted toward Moon, "Yes, I don't like to be lazy." Daisy had mumbled something under her breath but Thunder ignored her as she trotted up to Moon and the other patrol dogs.

"Okay, we have a bit of ground to cover today, my patrol dogs. So there'll be two patrols," Moon barked. There seemed to be dark circles that ringed her eyes, and her fur was poofed out, as if she'd been out all night. Thunder whimpered as she noticed this, but it hadn't been heard over the chorus of growls that filled the air.

"Oh, please, Moon, two patrols?" Dart growled, flicking her tail at the big dog.

Moon bared her teeth, anger flashing in her eyes, "Yes! Two patrols! I've been out all night because we'd paused patrols for the challenge. So we have some catching up to do! In fact, Dart's patrol will stay out until the Sun Dog decides to rest!"

Angry groans erupted from the patrol dogs, causing some of the other dogs to look their way.

I hope I don't get Dart's patrol, Thunder thought with a shiver that tickled her spine, but I'm somewhat hurt, so I don't think Moon would do that. I hope.

"Okay," Moon said, straightening up. She curled her tail tightly around her paws, "Dart will lead a patrol consisting of... Herself, Daisy, and Rake."

The named dogs didn't dare reply to Moon's words, but they glared warily at Dart who dipped her head in apology.