Wolf of the Wild

Squirrel

Wolf stared at the squirrel.

He wanted to chase it.

But that was the problem.

He couldn't.

"Wolf, let's go," Wolf's owner commanded. Wolf had to follow. Even if he didn't want to. In fact, he really didn't want to.

Wolf stared at the squirrel one last time. It stared back.

You win this time, Wolf thought grumpily, but you won't next time!

Wolf could have sworn the squirrel's eye's twinkled as it thought back. Haha. Are you so sure? I always win. And it scampered up the nearest tree.

Wolf dragged his furry paws as he was led back to the giant box that was painted a little darker than the sky above. He usually heard this place called "home" by his owner. There was a row of steep stone steps that led to a big cloud-colored door that opened to the left and revealed a place that Wolf was very familiar with. As soon as he felt the tension at his neck loosen, Wolf lurched forward into the warm and welcoming room. But there was a place that he wanted to be even more.

Wolf raced to the back door where there was a shield of invisible wall. He could see the green fuzz on the floor. "Grass" was how his owner called it. It was so green.

There was a fence at the back of the small playground. It was old, and swayed a bit when the wind was blowing. Wolf loved to sniff the lovely scent of trees and damp moss from the forest beyond. But he knew to never cross it. If he did, he probably would get lost- or meet a terrifying forest monster.

But Wolf didn't have to worry about that, because he didn't cross the fence. And his owner protected him.

For now, at least.

***

It was dusk, but Wolf just wanted to go outside one last time. To jolt around to every corner and breathe in the beautiful scents of the colorful flowers. His owner sleepily opened the door for Wolf. Wolf bolted out the invisible wall door and danced around the garden. Sensor lights flickered on and it was almost like a dramatic stage entrance.

"Be quick, Wolf." His owner grumbled. She definitely wanted some sleep. Wolf's internal clock was telling him it was bedtime around twelve o'clock? He wasn't sure, but he didn't mind.

Wolf noticed a silhouette flicker at the edge of his peripheral vision. He snapped his head towards the silhouette. It had a fluffy tail. It could only be one thing, a squirrel. Wolf hissed at the figure. A small light glinted and Wolf realized that the squirrel was staring back at him. Its eyes twinkled.

Squirrel! Wolf's mind spun in a whirlpool of squirrel thoughts. Wolf bolted towards the squirrel, he wanted to give chase, besides, he was free- nothing could stop him now.

The squirrel darted away glancing back a last time at Wolf. Giving chase? Haha, I'd like to see you catch me. This infuriated Wolf, he chased harder. This time, Wolf was determined to catch the squirrel. Nothing was going to get in the way.

"WOLF!" His owner yelled. "Cut it out! Wolf! Get back here!" His owner's words whisked away like the wind rushing by his ears. Wolf ignored it, it didn't matter, he'd come back after he caught up to the squirrel anyway. "Treats Wolf?" His owner tried again. "I'll give you treats if you come back now!" Wolf hesitated for less than a millisecond. Nah, he'd come in later.

The squirrel slipped through the broken fence. Wolf couldn't let the squirrel just go like that, though. His owner screamed his name. Like I said, I'll be back in a second. Once I catch that naughty squirrel. Wolf thought, almost there...

Wolf rammed through the old fence and trailed down the path where he thought he saw the squirrel go down. He followed it until he saw a small circular moonlit clearing, the small figure of the squirrel was patiently sitting in the middle of the spotlight. Ah, you've actually come. Didn't think you were brave enough. I thought you were going back to the warmth of your little dog house. Haha!

Wolf growled. Oh, really? Well I guess I am brave enough and you'll be paying for that, rascal. Oh you will. The squirrel scrambled up a tree as Wolf leapt at it. He spun around and eyed the surroundings for the squirrel. This was the first time he actually stopped and studied where he was. Speaking of studying where he was- where was he?

Wolf frantically searched the clearing for the path that led him to this spot, maybe if he followed it, it would lead him back to the small grass square he was in a while ago. To his great disappointment, there were multiple paths leading in all sorts of directions, Wolf wasn't sure which ones led deeper into the forest and which ones led back home.

I hope I can find prey today... Salmonberry told me she found a lot here... hope there is a lot today... A small thought was wandering through the woods near Wolf.

Who's there? Wolf demanded. In the distance Wolf could barely make out the shape of... a dog? Another lost dog in the woods? Or a stray?

Ack! The figure came closer until Wolf could see a little better, it was a little taller than himself, but looked very similar. A little slimmer than Wolf. The silhouette placed a paw into the clearing. It was a silvery-gray colored paw with matted fur, the fur on the animal's paw seemed fairly stiff, unlike Wolf's fluffy pelt. Who are you? It questioned Wolf. It was talking to Wolf. Wolf took a step back and watched as the dog stepped into the clearing.

In fact, it was not a dog at all.

It was a wolf, a real one.