Pack book 1: A new Dawn

Chapter 5

Dawn woke up to complete darkness. Not a sound was being made around. Yet, she wasn't scared. She felt an odd peace as she sat there.

She attempted to move a paw. Suddenly a bright flash of light filled her eyes. 

When it faded away she could see smooth stone walls around her. She felt a kneading in her side. But strangely it didn't hurt, and she didn't feel any fear.

Then she heard a soft voice. "She's awake." She tried to turning over to see who it was, but she winced slightly when she moved.

Another voice came "Don't. You need to just lay there..." The voice became a little shaky. "And rest.

"Dawn..." Suddenly a face came into view. It was Koi.

"Where's Mom?" Dawn asked.

"She's watching Cotton right now. Don't worry, she watched you for a really long time." He said looking back.

Then Dawn remembered. Cotton was the youngest of her mother's sisters. The litter after her own. Cotton had been born along with Rosewood.

"I'm the one who's trying to get you stay still." The other voice said. Then Mockingbird leaned over.

Dawn nodded. She felt a bit confused. Why was she not feeling pain? Or panic. Then in the corner of her eye she saw small bunches of purple flowers. Lavender. Of course. Reduce shock, fear, and pain.

Dawn sat there for a little while. Watching as wolves came and went. Suddenly Aspen came into sight.

"Dawn!" She yelled. She looked up at Mockingbird and Koi. "Is she gonna be alright?"

Mockingbird nodded silently. Then Koi answered. "Yes, she wasn't nearly as wounded as Cotton."

Aspen sighed with relief, but Dawn began to worry. Not nearly as wounded as Cotton? What did that mean?

Mockingbird gave her nudge in the side. "Try moving. Tell me how much it hurts."

Dawn tried sitting up. She tensed a little at a small jolt of pain, but then managed to sit up. "It's not unbearable." She began to realize her voice was hoarse as she spoke.

Mockingbird gave another silent nod, grief on her face. "Try walking."

Dawn shifted on to all four paws. She tried to take a step forward but fell back at the pain. "Ok. That hurt." Dawn said.

Mockingbird sat there still faced. "Try again."

Dawn got up again, her eyes began to water at the pain but she pushed through, making her way to Cotton.

Cotton was unconscious. Blood was at the edge of her pelt and completely soaking the bottom. Her stomach was littered with cob webs that were trying to keep the blood from flowing out. She barely moved a muscle as she sat there.

Orchard was holding a paw to Cotton's neck. Clearly trying to make sure her pulse didn't go. Mockingbird walked over and sat next to Dawn.

"You know she might not make it right?" She said looking at Dawn with a solemn face.

Dawn stopped for a moment. Never in her life had she actually experienced someone dying. The fact that it could happen slowly sunk in. Her eyes filled with tears. "Y-Yeah, I know..."

Mockingbird placed a paw on top of Dawn's. "That doesn't mean you give up hope, okay?"

Dawn nodded saying nothing.

Orchard sat there. Waiting, and waiting for Cotton to wake up. When suddenly, her paw sank deeper into Cotton's neck.

Orchard bent over to see her stomach. It had stopped moving. "NO! COTTON! SOMEONE DO SOMETHING!"

Mockingbird placed her head to Cotton's side. She raised her head and closed her eyes. She took deep breaths that quickly became faster and more shallow. Tears dripped down her face. "I'm sorry Orchard. She's left us."

Orchard fell to the floor and bawled. Dawn and Koi rushed over. 

"Orchard... it'll be alright." Koi said. Brushing her fur with his muzzle.

"NO!" Orchard said. Burying her face in the ground. "SHE'S DEAD!" DON'T YOU GET THAT!" Her eyes were wide as she wept. "It's not fair. THEY ALL GO! ALL OF THEM! MY MOM! COTTON! OUR PU-" Orchard stopped and buryed her face back in the ground.

Dawn buryed herself in her mother's fur like a pup. She was never close to Cotton, but it was a great loss. It hurt Dawn so much to see her mother like this.

Mockingbird picked up the limp body and placed it outside the cave. She looked to the sky and began the howl of passing. 

The rest of the pack joined Dawn with them. As they sang mournful howls to sky wishing Cotton a peaceful leaving to join the pack's ancestors.