The Song of the Wild

Chapter Four

      The next day, Sully awoke at dawn. He padded out of the den quietly, so as to not disturb Mother-wolf. He couldn't see the girl, so he decided to wait by the fence. Oona and Rosa were curled up in a nest of bracken and hay.

      Sully felt restless. He wanted to meet the girl, but the two-legs only came when the sun was at its peak. And it would be a long wait until noon.

      Hello? The wolf jumped, and glance around. Oona and Rosa were still sleeping. Then, he gazed at the transparent wall. The girl was there. He bounded towards it, barking happily.

      You're here! He exclaimed.

      Yes, I am! The girl said, smiling broadly. My name is Naomi, by the way.  Do you have one?     

      Yes. My name is Sully.

      Ooh, nice! Although the zoo sign says that your name is Fluffy.

       Fluffy?! This place is called a zoo? Sully said, curling his lip in disgust. Fluffy was such a horrible name. And this 'zoo' was a horrible place.

        Yes, and I want to get you out of it. Naomi said. She glanced around warily. I don't know how I'm going to do it yet, but I'm going to try.

     Sully cocked his head to one side. Is it possible to get me out?

      Naomi shuffled her feet. She put her hand into the bright fabric that she was wearing, and pulled out a piece of paper. It had strange scribbles and signs on it. This is the map of the zoo. I used it to get to you. It might help me get you out, she explained.

      Sully glanced at the sleeping forms of Oona and Rosa. Then, at the den where his siblings and Mother-wolf were sleeping. He turned to Naomi. If you're going to free me, free my mother, my siblings, and Oona and Rosa.

      The bears?

      Yes. They're my friends.

      That's... strange.

      It might be to you, but not to me. Sully replied tartly.

      Naomi held his gaze for a moment, then nodded curtly. Very well. I have a plan, but my brother will have to agree to it...

      Sully leaned towards the transparent wall. Your brother? What does he have to do with this?

      My brother, Max. He's 21, still looking for a job. I was thinking that maybe he could get hired into the zoo, and free you guys at night...

      Why can't you find a job?

       Naomi laughed. I'm too young.

      The next few days were spent discussing the plan and how they were going to make it work. Sully had informed Oona and Rosa, and his family. Mother-wolf was much more active since she had learned the news, and his siblings showed brief signs of gratitude, but they were both still wary around him. Oona and Rosa, however, were appalled.

      LEAVE?! Rosa's golden eyes widened. My, that's the craziest idea I've ever heard!

      Oona's reaction was less brutal, but her dark fur had bristled. Deary, we can't leave the zoo! It's our home! We... we've lived here since our birth!

      Yes! Oona's right! We mustn't leave! That's- that's impossible! It's a maniac idea! Rosa added. She was now pacing around a clawed alder tree, muttering and growling to herself.

      Oona glanced at Rosa, then back at Sully. I'm sorry, deary.

      Sully glared at them. You might've been born in the zoo, but what about your mum? She surely wasn't born in the zoo!

       Oona looked thoughtful. No... she wasn't born in the zoo. She was born in Yellowstone. She would tell us stories about hunting caribou and how the crickets sang their songs at night....

      Sully nodded his head vigorously. Yes! Yes, the wild is truly wonderful! You'll see, you'll see!

      Now Oona looked half interested, yet half reluctant. Yes, but... if Rosa won't go, then I won't go. Rosa's my sister, after all.

      Sully huffed in annoyance. Fine. But I'll convince you some time, you'll see.

      Oona snorted. You'll have to convince Rosa, not me. From what my mum told me about the wild, it sounds wonderful...