When Shadows meet Storms

2

I wondered through trees, crossed rivers, slept under boulders. My dinner for the past week consisted of squirrel, fish, and berries. Just as I was finishing my perfectly ripe blueberries; I heard it.

What is that? The sound was familiar, but not from my territory. A gunshot? No. It was much too loud and high pitched. I raked through the sounds I know... Is it... A car? I kept the sound in my mind as I raced to where I heard it.

CIVILIZATION!!! I bolted to what I finally found was the end of the forest. A road cut right through the middle of it like a hot knife through butter. Finally! I found it! I was giddy and practically jumping. Time to go north, I guess. My territory is in the south. One day though, I will return.

I was walking along the solemn road for what seemed like hours. Just as my legs were burning and my throat felt like I just had corn starch shoved down it; I thought it couldn't get worse. I was mistaken. Rain turned from a light sprinkle to a total downpour. Leaves fell around me, but I couldn't stop. I still had to find civilization.

Just a few more miles. I bared my teeth and pushed through the splitting headache and burning legs. The sky was getting dark fast. I hadn't eaten since morning. Cars passed but never stopped. Who would want to pick up a wet, dirty, disgusting wolf?

Just as I was losing hope I saw it. It felt like Christmas. The dim yellow lights shining atop small street lamps. The pinetrees surrounding me turned to sweet gum and magnolia trees. My favorite. A tear welled up in my eye. Something that hasn't happened in years.

A small bench sat alone beneath the largest magnolia. It was dry and looked fairly warm. I made my way over to the small bench. I curled up into a ball and slept.