Lone Fox: Book 2

Run!

"So, where are we going?" I ask.

"On the way here I smelled something delicious. I want to check it out." Ash answers. "Shouldn't be much farther."

That's what Mom said two days ago, I think to myself.

We walk for what seems like an hour, in silence. The wind begins to pick up. A chill takes over my spine.

"I don't get it," he said.

"Please tell me we aren't lost." I say.

"We aren't lost. I just can't find the scent again."

"Seriously. You lost the scent." I say angrily. "You are such a kit. I can't believe you did it again."

"1. The first time wasn't my fault. The bird looked injured and I thought it would have to land eventually," he says. "I didn't know that the scent wouldn't reach the ground. And 2. I am only a little younger than you."

"Whatever. Let's go home."

"Fine." He stops and turns around. He lowers his head to the ground. "Oh no."

"What now?" I ask.

"The wind has blown our scent away. We can't follow it back," he answers.

"I can't believe you. You got us lost, again."

"Why don't you stop being mad at me and help me get us home?" Ash asks. "You did it the last time."

"The wind was hitting us from our left the whole time." I say. "That means if we go back, it will be hitting us from our right."

"Makes sense. Let's go."

He begins walking with the wind to the right.

"Why don't I lead?" I say speeding up.

"Probably for the best."

We walk for a while. I lift my nose to the sky and smell. I stop, causing Ash to run into me from behind.

"Hey!"

"Did you smell anything weird when we came this way before?"

"Yeah, but I really wanted that delicious smell," he says. "Why?"

"Because that weird smell it's..." I stop when I hear multiple low growls. "A wolf pack."

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"Go run!" I yell at Ash.

"No way. I'm not leaving you."

"I never said you were. I'm right behind you."

We start running as fast as we can. I can hear the pack right behind us. In front of me, Ash yells, "Come on, Eli."

I speed up until I am running right next to him. Up ahead I see between the trees that the ground ends. I slow down to begin to turn but notice that Ash doesn't see it.

I try to yell at him to turn, but I am breathing to hard. I look behind to see if there are any wolves. When I see nothing, I change direction and head toward my brother.

By the time I am almost upon him, he tries to stop really fast. He slides for a while. I grab onto his tail to keep him from sliding off but it is useless.

We slide up to the cliff. Ash is not able to stop in time and falls. I clamp my teeth onto his tail so hard I taste blood.

For a second, I believe that I can pull him back up. My heart stops as I realize he is no longer connected to his tail.

I look down to see that his tail has ripped off . "ASH! NOOO!!!!" I yell. He is tumbling down the cliffside, hitting rocks that stick out.

I drop the tail and look around the side of the cliff to find a path down. I spot an area and run toward it. I glance back at Ash falling down. By now he has reached the bottom.

I sprint to him as his limp body lay in the grass. "Ash? Ash, are you okay? Say something."

I watch closely at his chest. I see it rise. A wave of relief washes over me.

"Eli?" Ash breathes.

"Don't worry. I'll get you back to the den." I look around. I saw this place when we were walking here, I think to myself. I know what direction to go.

I slowly slide my snout under Ash. I stop when he whines. He stops and I continue putting him on my back.

I begin walking in the direction of our den.

"Hey, Eli!" I hear someone yell. I look around. The voice comes from a wolf on top of the cliff.

"How do you know my name?" I ask.

"Your friend there isn't very quiet." He answers. The rest of the pack emerges next to him. "Why are you in my territory?"

"We didn't know it was your territory. The wind blew the scent away." I reply.

"Don't lie to me. I hate lying."

"I'm not lying."

"Anyway, I have your scent now. And I won't forget it. If you ever step foot in my territory again, I will kill you."

I don't reply. I just begin running home. Hopefully my mother will be back.

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I really liked writing this part for you all. Hopefully it answered any questions on how the pack knew who Eli was.

Comment and Vote.
~A.K