Wolf-Shifter

The Shapeshifter: Surviving the Secrets Part 4

Oh my God. The words ran through Maddy's mind like a swarm of buzzing bees, blocking out any other rational thoughts and controlling her. Oh my God ohmygodohmygod-

The twin brothers weren't any better off either. Neither, it seemed, was Dax. Although the fox was perfectly still, Maddy could see the beads of sweat rolling down his face and dripping from his muzzle. His slender mouth was half open in a pant.

Suddenly, Maddy's first aid skills came back to her, and for the first time, she was grateful for the course that her father had sent her on. Call someone who can help. But she couldn't do that, so she turned desperately to Gideon and Luke. "Do you have a mobile phone?" she asked. She was surprised at how calm her voice sounded.

Pale face, Gideon dug inside his coat pocket and numbly removed a phone. Maddy snatched it and checked for a signal, then cursed under her breath when she found none. "Okay, one of you will have to go and get Mrs. Satre," she decided, staring both boys in the eye. "Gideon, you're fast. You go."

"Will he be oka-"

"Just go," she snapped, a wave of despair flushing over her. Gideon blinked at her, then turned to Dax, before rushing away into the forest.

Check the wound.

Dropping to her knees, Maddy crawled over to Dax's leg. The wound was grotesque, the cruel wire digging into the flesh and bone, dry blood spilling over the side. She touched it experimently; Dax whined and pulled away.

Clean the wound.

"Luke, do you have any water?" she asked, turning to the mute telekinetic. Luke shook his head and dropped down beside her, pointing left urgently.

"What?" Maddy urged, peering in the direction Luke was pointing. "I don't see anything."

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Luke grabbed a nearby stick and hurriedly wrote in the mud; RIVER.

Maddy gasped aloud. "How far is it?"

Luke stood up and began to walk away hastily. Maddy watched him go, hoping he was heading for the river. She didn't see how he could bring the water back.

Turning back to the injured fox, she hesitantly reached out a hand and began to rhymtically stroke his head. Dax whined, staring back up at her with wide, trusting eyes."I think you should go to sleep," Maddy whispered, wondering why she was talking to a boy like he was a toddler. "Gideon will be back soon, and you know he'll have a panic attack if he sees you like this."

Dax gave a little snort. Maybe laughter? Foxy laughter? Maddy grinned despite everything.

She placed her other hand on his shoulder and closed her eyes, feeling the wind ruffle the tan fur beneath her fingers. Dax's breathing slowed, and his eyes rolled upwards into his head as he fell into a sleep.

Breathing heavily, Maddy took her hands from her friend and inspected the wire. It was attatched to a stab of wood, half hidden in the mud and leaves. Frowning, she experimentally pulled on it; to her surprise the wire loosened. Hopeful, she pulled harder, and within a few tugs, the wooden chip was dug out of the earth.

She didn't stop to think how she had managed it so quickly, so she removed Dax's slim and trembling leg from the wire. It came away easily, the wire now a small light in the dark forest.

Sighing in relief, Maddy looked around and huffed when she saw no sign of Gideon or Luke. She halfheartedly wondered where they had gone, what was taking them so long?

Bored, she concentrated on herself. She felt like she could climb the highest tree, battle the fiercest warrior, calm the most distressed baby. She felt on top of the world, in a neverending adrenalin rush.

Yes, the feeling scared her slightly. But she ignored it, instead peering up at the sky.

With a squawk, the jet black raven swooped into the sky and out of sight.