Lone Fox: Book 2

The Farm

It won't stop snowing. It started snowing a while ago, and now it won't stop.

I have to find shelter, I think. I lift my nose to the sky and sniff. Nothing. I began walking in no particular direction.

Who knows how long I have been walking? I certainly don't. I have been walking, stopping, sniffing, and walking again for the past three days. And I will keeping doing that until I find shelter. Or food. Which ever comes first.

As I am walking a scent hits my nose. I have never smelled it before, but it smells good.

I follow the scent trail and come upon an opening with tall and short things everywhere. There are all kinds of animals inside. From what I can see, there are bigger animals, and smaller animals; most of which I have never seen before. All surrounded by barriers.

I walk toward the area and smell so many different things that I can't concentrate on just one. I crawl through a small opening in the barrier.

"Hey!"

I jump as a loud voice erupts through the air. I turn and see a large creature. My mom once described a creature like this to me and my brother. Long snout, long legs, hooves like a deer, and very big. She had called it a horse.

"Hi," I respond.

"Why are you in my pasture?" he asks in a deep voice. He slams his hooves on the ground. More and more horses walk up and surround me.

"Oh, is this your pasture? I thought it was my friend's. My mistake." I'm so dead. "I'll just be on my way." I make my way toward the only space between the horses.

The closest horse steps in front of me, "Not so fast, little fox." I look around for any space I could slip through. "You can't just wander in to a pasture and think that your gonna get away with it."

"I thought it was my friend's pasture. So if I could just get through, I would be on my way."

"Here's the thing: as far as I know, we are the only horses in this area. So, unless you don't know how to find your way through a forest, you probably are here to try and get some free food."

"No, no, no. See I just wanted to check this place out. You know, look around. See the area."

"Sorry, but foxes aren't allowed on this farm." So that's what this place is. "Kill him" He stands on his back legs and tries to step on me. He lands a hit on my haunches.

"Oh no" I mumble to myself. Not thinking, I turn and run to the other side of the circle. I open my mouth and bite the legs of the horse in front of me. Not hard; just enough so he will move. He rears back and I run underneath him. They make sure their friend is okay before they begin chasing me, so I put as much distance between us as possible.

I would be faster than them, but I have shorter legs. I barely make it under a wooden barrier before they catch up. They begin yelling; calling for someone. I keep running until I spot an object in the middle of an area. I run to it and climb inside.

Creatures, some smaller than me, some the same size as me, begin running all over the place. Most are yelling. The only thing I can understand is, "Fox! Fox! Get it out! Save the eggs! Get it out! Save the eggs!"

"Please everyone calm down. I won't hurt you." I say calmly.

One that is bigger than the others turns toward me. He says, "Of course you will. You're a fox. Foxes eat chickens."