Iris sat in the hidden hole where her Brother, Nova, and Mother, Alani, had made their home. Once again, they were hiding. Hiding from the terror of being captured by a Moon Pack Brave that often came looking for any dogs that could be of use to them. Her mother had always warned them to stay inside during the time that the sun was up and, as a result, they often had to go without a meal. She sniffed the enterance, barely resisting the urge to run outside and be free: she hated cowering in the safety of their home.
“Iris!” came the quiet warning that she heard to often, “Get away from there! Moon Packs Braves might see you!”
“I know Mother” she groaned back “Why can't we go outside? I'm hungry! I want to hunt!” She already knew the answer.
“Because if a Moon Pack Brave sees you, then he will take you away from us and tell you evil nonsense about the world. He will make you kill others or kill you if you don't. The Sun Pack Braves will be here tomorrow night to check for any dogs in need of help” Alani pushed Iris away towards her brother “Then you can go outside. I don't want to lose you like I lost your father”
Iris couldn't remember her father. He had been killed protecting them before she had even opened her eyes. All that she knew about him was that he was just like her and Nova in appearance: A stunning white German Shepard, with strong back legs and large, sensitive ears.
“Now, go and play with your brother” she continued.
“Ok...” her tail tucked between her legs, she padded slowly across to her littermate.
“Getting in trouble again?” Nova teased. Iris responded with a playful growl and leaped onto her brother. He yelped out in surprise and Iris quickly pinned him to the ground.
“Too slow!” she barked, wagging her tail.
“Ok, Ok! Now get off me!” Carefully, she got off him and sat down. She bent down too lick herself clean, when a sudden noise stopped her in her tracks.
Above her, she could just about make out muffled speaking. With eyes full of terror, Alani nudged her two pups into the corner and beckoned for them to stay silent.
A tense few moments passed. The speaking faded away and silence filled the air.
Trembling, Iris spoke. “Wa...was that a Moon Pack Brave?”
Alani simply nodded. Although she had been told many times about the Braves of Moon Pack, she had never been so close to one.
Whimpering quietly, she flopped down next to Nova onto the cold, hard floor and fell asleep.
YOU ARE READING
Light In The Dark
General Fiction" 'Light can be found in every corner, in every heart. If you simply look in the right place, even the most evil of dogs can be good.' That is what my mother said to us before she died. That was the last thing we ever heard her say, and I hang onto...
