Murder in the Flames

Chapter Nine- Not an Accident

Flash hadn't returned yet, but Frost suggested that Dasher brushed up on his battle skills if he was going to venture into Sword's territory. But because Lucy was watching the pups, Frost had assigned Pumpkin to work with him.

"Lucy is with the pups now," Frost had barked. "So Pumpkin will work with you."

"What?!" Pumpkin and Dasher had cried at the same time.

"Yes," Frost replied, with a sly glint in her eyes. "I think you'll work quite well together."

And now, they were at the training site, a little ways from the center of camp. Dasher was staring at Pumpkin, a mix of emotions tumbling in his belly. "Okay.... let's start," Pumpkin began kind of awkwardly. She shook her pelt, and cleared her threat. "So, what do you do if a dog challenges you?" Pumpkin questioned.

"Uh." Dasher's mind went blank. "I roll on my back in submission...." Pumpkin frowned. "Oh, no, not right.... I.... uh.... stand my ground!" he barked, way too loudly. Pumpkin was giving him a strange look.

"Okay, uh, Dasher, I notice that you're not very good with words-" he didn't let her finish.

"What are you barking about! I'm great with words. I bark all the time!" he yelped.

"And I wish you wouldn't," Pumpkin muttered. "It's not that- you do bark, but the words you say-" he cut her off again.

"I know lots of words!" Dasher barked. "I know human things-you'd be impressed. Like I know what a refraginator is, a cab net, a toy let-"

"I'm going to stop you right there," Pumpkin barked. "One, its refrigerator, cabinet, and toilet. But two, words are key. Take it from the expert." Definitely can't deny that Pumpkin knows how to talk any dog into submission. "Part of fighting is being threatening, and confident. Many dogs will snarl and make harsh comments to scare you. You can't let them think you're afraid, even if you are." It's like day one with Lucy again, but I know this stuff! "For example," Pumpkin barked. She lunged at Dasher before he could react. She slammed him into the dirt, barking and snapping at his face.

"I'll kill you, stupid dog! I'll tear your throat out and gauge out your eyes!" she howled, snapping at his face. Dasher felt his vision go white with terror, but then Pumpkin was standing above him, panting happily. "See?" Dasher stumbled to his paws.

"Yes, I see," he whined.

"Good," Pumpkin nodded. "I'm going to do it again, but this time, block out my words. Hold your ground, stare into my eyes, and get me away from you. Do not let me get to you this time!" Dasher nodded. Even though he was ready this time, Pumpkin still tackled him. "Weak pup, you filthy raccoon! I'll slaughter you, you can't defeat me!" she howled. This time, Dasher focused on his rasping breath, instead of her words. He locked his gaze on hers, his heart hammering. Don't let her get to you! With a howl, Dasher pushed upwards, throwing Pumpkin off. He snarled, snapping at her flank.

"Worthless mutt! Spineless! I'll stuff you in a cab net and you'll never come out!" he barked. He sat back, panting. "How was that?" Pumpkin leaped to her paws and shook out her fur, eyes gleaming.

"That was great! Everything except the cab net part, that wasn't really scary," she barked. Dasher tipped his head to one side.

"You knows, Pumpkin, it doesn't really seem like you hate me anymore," he whined. Pumpkin sighed.

"Yes, I should probably apologize. I'm sorry for being mean to you before. I was mean because, well, I thought you were weak. And the pack can't have weakness in a time like this. In all honesty, I'm scared. I don't know what's going to happen," she whined. Dasher stood up, and nudged her with his nose.

"It's okay, and I'm sure in the end, everything will be fine!" Pumpkin growled with laughter.

"You sure are very optimistic." Dasher wagged his tail. Being next to Pumpkin when she wasn't yelling at him felt good. A warm, fuzzy feeling blossomed in his chest.

"You already know how to fight, so just one more thing. Remember that you have both teeth and claws. Use both your speed and strength, depending on the dog you're fighting. Whatever you do, don't let them smell your fear."

~~~~~~~~~

Dasher, Pumpkin, and Lucy crept through Sword's territory, tails low. It was too dangerous for one dog to go in alone, but too many dogs were sure to attract attention. Flash allowed Dasher to bring two dogs of his choice, and of course he chose Pumpkin and Lucy. "We have to be careful. If we spot a patrol, hide," Pumpkin murmured.

"Yes, Pumpkin, we know," Lucy rolled her eyes, but not in a mean way. Dasher kept alert, hackles raised. He tried to keep from trembling, but he was afraid. What if a dog catches us? What if multiple dogs catches us? What if Sword himself catches us? Are we going to die? He tried to push those thoughts out of his head, but it was hard. Remember what Pumpkin told me. Just act brave.

"Head that way, between those crates," Pumpkin instructed. She knew the territory well, she was always into exploring she had barked. They had been walking for a little bit now, and were close to the spot of Trickster's death. Dasher rounded a stack of crates, and froze. "What-" Pumpkin stopped.

The scent of cats flooded his nostrils. "I smell the cats, but where are they?" Lucy whined. Dasher looked around. Then there was a yowl, and cats exploded from the other side of the crate. There were about ten of them and they hissed and leaped at the dogs. Dasher barked in alarm, swatting at the cats as they flew by. But, wait, they aren't actually attacking us. In fact, the cats seemed to be running away. One's claws snagged his shoulder, and Dasher howled. He grabbed it with his teeth and threw it.

Pumpkin barked and pounced, pinning one that was lagging behind. "Look!" she barked in astonishment. The cat's haunches were sticky with blood, and were marked with none other then dog claws. Pumpkin growled, and released the cat. It meowed and scrambled away. "A dog did this. Somebody intentionally scared those cats towards us," she growled.

"It could have been an accident," Lucy barked.

"No, this was deliberate," Pumpkin insisted. They walked in the direction the cats came in. The crates that were stacked against the wall were scorched, some in pieces. The ground was covered in ash, and in it they could see scuff marks. "Whoever did this, did it so we can't smell them. And clearly, they got out fast."

"Do you think a dog did this to try and make us turn back? By scaring the cats and hoping they'd hurt us?" Dasher whined. Pumpkin nodded.

"Whoever the dog was, doesn't want us to go any further. If it was one of Sword's dogs, they would have attacked. But maybe not if they were guilty. But then Sword's dogs wouldn't have known we'd be here," Pumpkin barked, and her eyes met Dasher's. Then this dog has to be one of our pack mates that followed us!

"Wait, it doesn't have to be one of our pack mates," Lucy insisted. "Maybe it was a starving lone dog trying to catch a cat for food, but they saw us and fled. This could just be an accident."

"You're right," Pumpkin barked, relaxing. "It's just not possible that one of our pack mates could be the murderer." Dasher nodded, but a part of him couldn't agree. His gut twisted. This wasn't an accident, and we all know it. 

Does anyone have any guesses on who the murderer is? There will be more clues in the next chapter. Also, what do you think of Pumpkin's new attitude? Do you think she likes Dasher, or he likes her?