The Snow Leopard

Chapter 2

"Tommy," I yelled through the sound of the flames, "I'll be right there, okay?"

I looked around for anything that could help me get rid of the boards, but there was nothing.

"Well, hello there pretty girl."

I turned around to see a man looking down at me. He only wore a piece of fabric around his waist.

Werewolf.

"Stay away from me, you monster!" I yelled at him, making sure I was between him and the bathroom door.

"Oh, I'm sorry honey." He cooed, "I can't understand a word you're saying. But I won't need to. They all say the same things when they die."

I growled, lifting my lips and showing my teeth. He responded by shifting into a black wolf and showing his own set of canines.

"Bring it on."

We leaped into the air and gripped each other's shoulders, trying to bite the neck of the other. I managed to grab his ear and ripped it, earning a howl from him.

"Clara!"

I looked around to see who it was, but got knocked to the ground.

"Clara!"

I coughed on the smoke filling the air. "Mom?"

"Clara!"

"Mom!" I tried to stand up, but the werewolf bit my scruff, pulling me through the house. "Mom help!" I flailed around, trying to loosen his grip on my neck. "Let go of me!" He ignored me and continued to pull me outside and into the snow.

"Clara!"

I looked towards the house to see my mother in human form in the doorway.

"Mom! Get Tommy!" I yelled to her, my voice now raw from the yelling and smoke.

"Clara!"

Suddenly, there was a flash of light and a boom as the house exploded.

"Mom" I croaked. My eyes were watering and I could hear a ringing in my ears. "Mom!" I wiggled around and lashed out at the wolf still pulling me. My claws caught onto his nose and drew blood, forcing him to let go.

"Mom!" I tried to balance on my paws, but failed and fell to the ground.

Darkness took over my vision, the ringing still loud and clear in my ears.

-----------

"Will she be okay?"

"I don't know, we can only wait and see."

What's happening? I groaned as I opened my eyes slightly.

"She's awake!"

"Can you wiggle your fingers a bit for me?"

I rubbed my face with my hand.

"Well, okay then."

Above me were two men, one wearing a white coat, a doctor, and one wearing a leather jacket.

"Where am I?" I asked, trying to sit up. The doctor propped me up with some pillows while the other man answered.

"You're in Silver Mountain territory, in the hospital wing."

He was hot.

I shook the thought from my head before asking more. "Why am I here?"

He looked over at the doctor, silently asking him to answer my question.

"Well, one of the patrols picked up the scent of a fire and traced it to a cabin. They found you under a rogue who was about to kill you. They brought you back, and now here we are."

Mom.

I froze as I remembered everything that had happened.

"Mom."

Leather jacket set his hand on mine, sending shivers up my arm. "There weren't any survivors."

No. I shook my head in disbelief. "No, no, no, no."

"We're really sorry," the doctor said, rubbing my shoulder.

"No!" I jumped out of the hospital bed and shifted into my leopard, ripping my hospital gown. Running through the halls, I passed men, women, and children, all pressing themselves against the walls as I passed.

They can't be gone, they can't! I crashed through a pair of doors that led to outside. The cold air rushed past me, making my eyes water up. I roared into the air, hoping for a response.

"I'm so sorry."

Leather jacket rested his hand on my back, rubbing my fur. My eyes teared up as I realized that I was alone. My mother was gone, my father was gone. Tommy was gone. Our cabin was gone. Our home was gone.

I burst into tears as he pulled me into a hug.