Zuer was soon pushing me down the hallway with the gunpoint to my back. When he finally got me into my room and locked it, he went to dispose of the body, leaving me alone.
I stood still for a long time, feeling troubled. I wanted so badly to get out of here, but the Shadow Patrol was out there, some managing to get in.... My eyes suddenly widened and I went and checked every single hiding place there could be in my room. Nothing. Sighing in relief, I brushed my hand against my cheek, and when I pulled it away, blood had covered it. I went to the bathroom and carefully cleaned my scratches, wincing as the water stung for a moment. Leaning against the counter I closed my eyes briefly, then dried myself with a towel.
There was a quiet knocking on my door and I walked out of the bathroom just as Mauriz came in with little Ari holding his hand. The silver wolf was silent for a moment.
“Zuer told me about what happened when he first left you in this room. I’ll be posting a few guards outside your window to keep watch tonight, and Zuer will be outside your door, as well.”
I nodded quietly, watching as Ari let go of his dad’s hand and come to me, asking if he could have some of the food that me and Zuer had left on the table. “Of course, Ari.” I watched the wolf cub for a moment, then looked back at Mauriz. “Where is his mother?”
The silver wolf blinked slowly. “She died about a year ago.”
My eyes widened. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”
I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say, but Mauriz didn’t look bothered by the silence. After a while, the wolf picked Ari up, who now had crumbs all over his face, and said good-bye, shutting and locking the door behind him as he left.
Looking at the food, I almost wanted to eat some more, but decided against it. As late as it was, eating would just make me feel sick, so I changed my clothes and hopped in bed, pulling the covers over my head.
When I was almost asleep, Zuer suddenly popped his head in, telling me that the guards had been posted. I groaned in reply as he shut the door and stood outside my door to keep watch.
The rest of the night went by without a hitch.
I slowly woke up the next morning, sunlight from the window shining in my eyes. My ears flicked back as I heard the guards talking quietly outside, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Yawning, I sat up, sitting on the edge of the bed tiredly. I made myself get up, stumbling drowsily to the bathroom where I changed into some new clothes- a loose, white shirt and some shorts. Without thinking, I walked to the door and pulled the handle. The door swung open and I stiffened, not exactly sure what to do. Zuer must have forgotten to lock it last night.
I poked my head out, checking the hallway. Nobody was there. Zuer probably left to go sleep. I couldn’t blame him. Staying up all day, then all night? He must have been exhausted this morning. I stepped out of the room, almost feeling guilty. Almost.
Quickly walking down the hall, I started checking doors again. Every one of them was either someone’s bedroom, a room for some sort of storage, or empty. I began to get a little frustrated before I came to a larger oak door. I was hesitant to try; it might be Mauriz’s room again. But I slowly pulled it open. Bright sunlight blinded me, and I smiled, stepping outside.
The sun warmed me as my eyes slowly adjusted to the light, and I looked around, expecting to see forest, but instead I saw towering stone walls surrounding me on all sides. I was in the courtyard. Inside the castle.
I groaned. How am I ever going to get out of here? Some guards were walking towards me, laughing with each other, not really paying attention. I smiled as I suddenly had a thought. If I’m gonna be stuck in here, I might as well cause some trouble. I set my eyes on the guard closest to me, an orange fox with a black stripe down his back, and as they passed I reached out and shoved him over.
The fox caught himself and jumped up, turning to face me. He looked surprised when he saw who had pushed him, but came toward me determinedly anyways. “What was that for?” he growled.
“Oh, come on, ya big baby. You didn’t even get hurt.” I gave him a smirk, and then leaped to the side as he reached for me.
Frowning, the fox glared at me, then his eyes widened when I held up his gun in my hand. “Want this?”
“How did you get that?” His hand went to his empty holster. “Give it back, now.” He snarled.
I smiled at him and practically hopped away. Very quickly I was being chased across the courtyard. The grass felt great on my feet.
The fox called to some of the other guards and I had to dodge a few of them, and ended up being chased by at least five more. Soon enough, I got trapped in a corner, my back pressed against the stone as the guards made a semi-circle around me. I glanced up as one of them started to approach me, and to everyone’s surprise, I leaped up, unsheathing my claws. My claws caught in the cracks of the stone and I began to scale the wall. Some stone wall chipped beside me. Someone had tried to shoot me. Crap.
Another shot rang out, the bullet barely missing my arm. I was almost to the top, and a few seconds later I pulled myself over onto the battlements. I shoved the gun in my pocket and sat on the battlement wall farthest from the inner courtyard wall so the guards couldn’t see me. Sighing, I looked out at the forest, taking a deep breath of fresh air, wishing I was out there. But at the same time, looking out there filled me with dread. Now that I knew the patrol cats were out to get me, and possibly, if worse came to worst, Tarilamor himself. I shivered as thoughts of the black fox ran through my head. Suddenly I was glad I was inside the castle walls.
