The Peace of the Wanderer

Chapter Three

I hate death. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! Why do things have to die? I don't care if we're all going there, why can't we stop it! I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!

Those were the thoughts of Shadow when she woke up that morning.

It had been several days since she and her family discovered Thunder was dead, and the emotional numbness of the small gray cat had given way to pain. It was now that Shadow realized her father was gone. And he would never return.

Shadow had always looked up to her father, asking him for advice and guidance. She had wanted to be just like him when she grew up. She strove for Thunder to always be proud of her. She wished she could trade out something in return for her father's life.

But another emotion had invaded her mind as soon as a thought erupted in her brain.

Anger.

Shadow felt furious at the cause of her father's death. She wanted to destroy Reagan, the red fox, her sire's murderer.

However, the kitten knew that right then, it would be impossible to get vengeance. She was way too young, and wasn't powerful enough to fight anything. Also, Shadow had no clue of the fox's whereabouts.

Suddenly a loud howl of pain and anguish was heard. Shadow knew it was Bailey.

The collie had been notified about Thunder's death this morning. Maybe I should go visit her, Shadow thought. We're all in this together, after all.

With that, Shadow jumped into the window, and skillfully climbed down to the grassy ground and set off for the blue doghouse in the distance.

The farm itself seemed too bright, too cheery, for what had just happened. The sun was smiling down on the world, and there wasn't a cloud in the blue sky. The grass was green, and all the farm animals were just waking up. There was dew on the leaves of trees. It was a beautiful day outside, but on the inside, Cherryoak Farm was in breakdown mode.

Shadow padded up to the entrance to the collie's home. "Bailey?" she asked hesitantly.

The dog had her head on her paws, her brown eyes full with tears. She seemed depressed. Shadow didn't blame her. Thunder had been an awesome father, mate, and friend.

Bailey didn't move her body, but rather directed her eyes towards the kitten.

"Hey, Shadow, was it?"

"Yes."

The she-dog sighed. "I'm sorry I was so cold towards you when we first met. I didn't mean anything by it, I assure you. I just hope you can forgive me..."

Shadow was surprised. Bailey didn't say anything about Thunder's death, though the grey cat knew the collie was in agony.

"It's fine, really. I know that it's...been difficult for you. But it's been difficult for all of us. I know that my father was your best friend. He was mine, too. So we have to have each other's back. It's...it's what Dad would have wanted."

Bailey sniffed. "Yes, I suppose we should. Your father...he was a great animal. Many honored him, including me. He was loving towards his family, and good to his friends."

Shadow curled up next to the older dog, and made observations about the breathing bundle of fur next to her.

Bailey's fur wasn't particularly soft, but rather coarse. Her breath was smooth and deep, and her heartbeat was slow and steady, like a beating drum. Shadow was reminded briefly of her father, and felt herself begin to cry.

Bailey felt the kitten next to her move as Shadow sobbed. The collie was not expecting this. What should she do now? She wasn't really comfortable with what was happening, but she saw that Shadow wasn't in any condition to be told to beat it. Also, she knew that she didn't have the heart to not comfort the daughter of her best friend.