Kali's Flight Before Christmas

Chapter 7

That evening, all was quiet and peaceful as everyone was asleep. 

All except one...

Wilma woke up to see Julius making some snow people who resembled flying squirrels in the snow. It turns out, this was Julius's family. His Aunt Sally, his wife, and... his son. 

Becoming curious, Wilma asked why Julius wasn't home with them instead of hanging out with Niko. 

Kali soon peeked her eye open, as she was secretly awake now from Wilma and Julius talking and wanted to hear more. 

Julius soon explained to Wilma about his sad past. One time, long ago... it was a cold winter, and the little one was hungry, so Julius went out to find food. 

Kali soon got up and joined the weasel and flying squirrel while hearing the story. 

When Julius came back, his family were all gone... 

In the snow there were tracks... wolf tracks. 

Kali and Wilma both gasped upon hearing that. 

"Oh, Julius..." Kali said, feeling bad for the flying squirrel. 

"I'm so sorry, Nutboy" Wilma said quietly. "I-I didn't know" 

"Niko's my family now..." Julius said to Wilma and Kali. "At least until he finds his real dad"

Kali sighed while slowly frowning at the flying squirrel, feeling sorry for him. 

Julius then asked about Wilma's family. The weasel soon began explaining... Truth is, her family didn't want her to be a singer. But Wilma was young and restless, so, she ran away from home... 

"I know what it's like to be on your own..." Wilma told Julius, sharing his pain. One thing the two did have in common at least. 

"What about you, Kali? Don't you have a family?" Julius soon asked the adventure girl. 

"Oh, yes, of course. They're great!" The adventure girl nodded in reply, but soon looked sad while looking up at the stars in the night sky. 

"I really miss them..." She said, hoping to get back to them soon in time for Christmas. 

Julius and Wilma were soon sitting rather close to each other while Kali smirked and gave that look, as the tomboy knew what that meant. 

The gang suddenly heard a gasp from Niko, turning back to see the little reindeer had just woken up looking terrified. Kali seemed to know what had happened. 

"I had a dream" Niko gasped, looking scared as he explained to his friends. "I dreamt that Black Wolf attacked the herd and ate Mom, and Saga..."

"It was just a nightmare, Niko" Kali said calmly, coming back over to sit down next to the little reindeer and comforted him. Placing his head on her lap while she held him close to soothe the poor young buck. 

"It wasn't your fault the wolves attacked the herd" Julius added, telling Niko. "Nobody blames you"

"How do you know?" Niko asked the flying squirrel with a slight glare. He did have a point since he and Kali had clearly overheard Niko's whole herd blaming them for the attack. 

"If Julius says so, then it's true" Wilma said, surprisingly sticking up for Julius which confused Niko, Kali and Julius at first as they looked at each other. 

The four friends soon moved on, walking along through the quiet night while they saw the beautiful northern lights dance in the sky. 

Kali smiled up watching the lights as the gang continued on their journey to Santa's Fell.