Valiant(Editing)

Chapter 24; Akela

Something was strange about Dakota. He was acting a little unusual. While we walked back, I would see Dakota jump back a little or even a lot.

I wasn't sure why he kept jumping back, all I knew was he was terrified of something. I couldn't figure out what exactly he was afraid of.

I noticed he only jumped back when he heard a sound. Yet, why would he be scarred of a twig that he stepped on or even the sound of his own footsteps?

Even earlier when I talked to him he seemed scarred. I didn't believe him when he told me he was okay, it was too obvious that he wasn't.

I was at least glad that he finally got a bandage on his ankle, yet I needed to know what was frightening him. I paid close attention to him while we walked.

I would stare straight forward, yet would watch him bolt back out of the corner of my eye. This bothered me. I needed to know what was bothering him.

Was he afraid of a predator that might come out and attack or maybe he wasn't even afraid at all? I didn't even think any of my assumptions would be correct. It made no sense. I didn't dare ask him yet. However, maybe I will when we get back to the shelter area.

We stayed silent along the way back to the shelter area. We both were limping as we went back. We didn't make any sounds along the way back though, no grunts either.

However, I kept my watch on him. He stepped on another twig, and bolted back again.

When did he start acting this way? When we left the shelter area, I think. I shook my head.  None of this made any sense.

When we finally reached the shelter area, I noticed Dakota found a spot underneath a tree to lay in. He quickly dove into and laid down. I stood and watched him try to calm himself down.

He laid there facing away from me and was curled up into a ball. I smoothly laid myself down away from him, and faced toward his back.

I held my head high and kept my eyes toward him with some concern.

I thought maybe I should ask him what was wrong, so I opened my mouth, yet nothing came out. I decided I should first let him try and calm himself down, before even asking him.

I frowned and laid my head slowly on the ground.

I continued to watch him struggle to calm himself down.

I wished that I could help him, yet how?

Moments later, I thought I should go and get some food for him. Maybe it will help him feel better. I didn't know, but it was worth a chance.

I stood up steadily, and didn't bother to tell Dakota where I was going. I didn't want him to argue with me about leaving the shelter area for a little, so I kept my mouth shut.

I smelt the air for some carcass that might be near, and smelt many ones that were in a good-short walking distance.

I chose to go to the closest one.

I quietly started away from the shelter area and followed my scent.

Dakota never followed me, which meant he must've not noticed me leave.

I limped on the way to the carcass. I think it was elk carcass that I smelt, which was a good thing, because elk carcass is filling.

There was one thing that I was still afraid about that could possibly be at the elk carcass; A predator.

When I finally got near the elk carcass, I made myself completely aware of my surroundings. The last time I got some meat from a carcass, it didn't go too well.

I had to be extra careful, for I wasn't sure whose kill this was. I hoped that it was an abandoned kill, although it probably wasn't. I slowly went towards it, looking all around me for any predators that would be ready to attack me.

So far, no predators. Maybe it was abandoned. Or at least, I hoped it was because I was not up for another fight.

No predators still. I quickly moved up to the elk carcass. When I looked at the elk carcass, I realized there wasn't much left. It was just enough to feed me or Dakota.

I knew Dakota needed more than I did. I snatched it as fast as I could and held it in my mouth. I then saw some shadows above me and heard some nasty screeches.

I looked up to see a few big crows flying up above and around me. They wanted the meat I had, yet I wasn't going to let them take it.

They flew towards me and dove after the meat I had. I twisted my head away from them, so that they couldn't get the meat I had.

I started to sprint away with the meat I had, wincing while I sprinted. It hurt to run on my wounded leg, yet I had to run and I knew it.

That didn't stop the crows from coming after the meat. They dove again and I dodged again.

I let out a bark at them, hoping it would scare them away. However, once again, it didn't. I snarled deeply and kicked some of them.

They started to scratch me, however it didn't hurt that much because I was used to worse ones. I still whimpered a little while they scratched me.

I set the piece of meat under me, and started to bite them. I grabbed one by the throat and threw it against the ground.

I even hit them with my paw, causing them to fall to the ground. They screeched at me and started to bite me, although their bites weren't that bad.

One of them bit my tail, and I yelped. I quickly yanked them off of me.

A few more came at me, and I was able to scare them off. They all flew away like vicious bats.

I could feel the cuts and bite marks they gave me, but they weren't that bad. Thankfully, they didn't even hurt that badly either, yet they still stung.

I kicked a couple more of them before snatching the meat back in my mouth and starting back towards the shelter.

Under my breath I growled with irritation,"Crows."