Ferals

Chapter 2

            Anxiety fluttered in Sharp's chest like a trapped pigeon as Beetle led her out of camp. "You had one job," Beetle snarled.

            "I tripped on a tree root," Sharp snapped. "I was the one who stole the kit, but when we were coming back, I tripped!"

            "Likely story," Beetle spat. "Be grateful your punishment isn't worse." Sharp quickly stopped, sniffing the air. A rank smell washed her fur. "No disrespect," Sharp said, trying to keep the hiss from her voice. "But I think we may be getting awfully close to Dog Alley."

            Ignoring her comment, Beetle leaped up onto a fence, signaling for Sharp to follow him. "You'll be spending the night here," he smirked, his eyes glowing with humor. He reached his paw down and pulled the top off of one of the Twoleg trash holders. "Get in," he growled.

Obediently, Sharp let herself fall from the fence and into the clanging object. The thing was filled with holes from rust. "Don't try to escape. Also, try and get some shut-eye. You have training tomorrow." Beetle's eyes stared down at Sharp before he dropped the top and shut the trash holder. Sharp slowly let her eyes adjust. She felt force hit the can as it fell. She yowled as she felt impact with the ground. Sharp stood up, moving her aching shoulders. She froze as she heard a growl, followed by exited tips and barks. No, no! The large can was shoved across the pavement as the strongest scene of dog yet hit her tongue. She could see its big, wet nose through one of the holes. When Sharp turned to look through the other holes, she realized with horror that there were two more. Her heart raced, the blood rushing in her ears. Calm down Sharp, they can't get you in here, Sharp tried to reassure herself, but she could not calm as adrenaline coursed through her.

            The dogs pushed the can around, their snuffling breath bathing Sharp. The largest rammed the can near the top, sending it spinning across the ground, before colliding with the wall of a Twoleg den. Sharp felt herself be thrown against the side of the trash holder as it was pushed again. Pain shot through her spine. A clanging sound echoed through her metal prison, and light seeped in. The top!

Sharp could clearly see the dogs as one caught sight of her. Their tails wagged to and fro as if they couldn't be happier. One lunged, pushing its head inside the can. It's long, thin snout was barely a whisker's length away.

            Weighing her options, Sharp swiftly raked her claws over the wet skin of the dog's nose, the oozing blood shining in the light. The dog snapped as its large eyes glared with anger and hunger. The dog pulled its head out and began ramming the can. It was trying to knock Sharp out of the trash container!

            Sharp fought to stay conscious as time dragged on. As the last of her strength left her, and she admitted defeat, Sharp saw golden sunlight seeping in. It was dawn! Finally! Four silhouettes moved atop the fence before leaping in. They snarled at the dogs before clawing at them. The dogs snapped their jaws, but sounded exhausted. It didn't take long for Sharp to hear the sound of the dogs' retreat.

            "Sharp?" The familiar faces of Foxtrot, Indigo, Coral, and Python looked in. Shock covered Foxtrot's face. "Are you okay?" he asked, panic sparking in his eyes.

            "She'll be fine," Python said. "Sharp, come on. I don't know why, but Crab has requested to train you today and Beetle said yes." Sharp groaned. 'Get some shut-eye,' he said! She snorted as she stepped out. Her back aching, she stretched before following her groupmates up on the fence. "Foxtrot? Who's training you today?" Sharp padded beside her brother as they made their way back to camp.

"I'm not sure," Foxtrot said simply. Sharp finally saw the camp; and she saw Crab flicking his tail impatiently. Sharp groaned and dropped her head. "Hey, Sharp," Coral said brightly. "Make sure you go easy on my brother today!" A small laugh escaped Sharp as she padded away.

"Finally! I was starting to think the dogs had mauled you," Crab growled.

"Not quite," Sharp growled back. Crab started to pad away. "Well? You're not going to sit there all day!" Sharp swiftly padded after him until they reached the training area. "Show me what you can do," Crab said, lowering himself into a battle crouch. Sharp dropped into a crouch as well, circling him. She quickly leaped, but Crab used his claws to hook her shoulder and fling her across the pavement. Before she could get up, Crab was on top of her, clawing her muzzle with hard blows. Her muzzle throbbed with pain.

Slightly blinded by the blood trickling back into her eyes, Sharp swung aimless blows until she felt soft ear skin tear with her claws. Crab ducked back, and taking her chance, Sharp leaped up. She instantaneously used her paw to wipe the blood from her eyes before lunging. Crab simply stepped aside and Sharp collided with the pavement. "Rat-dung," she cursed quietly as blood began to trickle from a fresh scrape in her muzzle.

            She whipped around. "I thought you were fast, Sharp!" Crab hissed. A growl low in her throat, Sharp pounced, landing on his back and clawing his spine. The large orange Tom rolled over, crushing Sharp beneath him. He stood and turned, pinning Sharp with his claws lightly pressing her belly. "Good job, but not good enough," Crab said. "We'll train tomorrow as well. If that's the performance you'll give Beetle when he supervises, he probably let the dogs have you."

"I think I can fight off a dog or two," Sharp snapped. Ignoring her, Crab started to walk back to camp. Sharp followed him. When she reached camp, Sharp went over to the small pool of water that formed at the edge of camp. She dipped her head and lapped at the water. "Sharp! How was training?" Sharp turned around to see Foxtrot, his eyes lighting up with happiness.

            "Training was fine, but I'm not sure Crab thought so-" Before Sharp could finish, a shriek split the air. Mink bolted into camp, the sound of loud paws behind her.

"Dog attack!"