Valley of Beginnings

Chapter Two

Icea clenched the pup tight, watching the sun get ready for sleep as it sunk into the hill. Then Icea looked in front of her at the quiet street. Across he street were broken down gas stations, run-down diners, and houses completely exposed to robberies. 

Luckily, the population was small, and everyone only cared about themselves. So no one ever noticed Icea, plus, she could cross the road easily. Icea put one paw on the cold gravel sheet, so many potholes on the road it was like a minefield. She crossed swiftly, and as she reached the other side, she saw a few thin pidgins greedily searching for scraps. As Icea walked towards them, they all scattered into the air. Icea lowly growled out of the sudden movement, but kept on her way.

*

Icea smelled her surrounding, making sure she was at the entrance to the right ally. It was. She could smell milk, and Kumiko. She walked in cautiously, making sure not to move anything that potentially had an animal living inside. 

She kept walking until a low, defending growl came from a box with a blanket draped over the top as if another had torn off. It was pressed up against a dumpster. 

“Who’s there?” asked a voice with a yip. 

“Kumiko, is that you? Its Me, Icea.” said the gray husky, taking a 

foot-step back incase it wasn’t Kumiko. 

“Oh, its Icea, sorry for my harshness. Theres just a strange scent along with you.” Said the lab as she poked her head out of the box.

“Thats why I’m here,” began Icea. “Come out so I can speak with you.” She finished with a wag of her tail. 

Kumiko hesitantly stepped out, her ears pricked up and alert. Once she got out, the first thing her eyes landed on were the little golden puppy still clenched in Icea’s mouth. 

“Why do you have a pup with you?” asked Kumiko, tilting her head. 

“Well, I found it only yards away from its mother, who happened to be dead. I obviously have no milk, and I remember you telling me one of you’r pups died so you had extra milk. I was wondering if you could nurse the pup until its old enough to hunt?” asked Icea. 

“Sure” said Kumiko. “If I have something to spare I shouldn’t waste it.” 

“Thank you.” Said Ikea, handing the pup to Kumiko. 

Kumiko disappeared into the box. After a moment she barked, “I’m settled, you can poke your head in if you want.” 

To this, Icea stuck her head to, to see Kumiko laying on an old blanket feeding her own pups plus the golden retriever pup. 

“So, when I’m done taking care of this pup are you going to take it back?” asked Kumiko, looking down at the pups. 

“No, I was wondering if you could take care of the pup forever. I need to get back to the Valley. I can’t live in the ‘city’ especially one with this many threats.” Said Icea. 

“Well, I can’t take the pup alone. It’s one more sudden burden I can’t carry.” Retorted Kumiko. 

“Well, I know nothing about taking care of a pup, I can’t take her.” Said Icea. 

“And I can’t protect this pup from all the threats in this city. Its clear she’s younger than my pups, and when my pups are out playing like ruffians I can’t sit here feeding another pup.” Said Kumiko, a hint of anger in her voice. 

“Well, would it make it better if you came to live in the Valley with me?” asked Icea. 

“I suppose it would, like you can watch my pups as I feed this one.” Said Kumiko. “I’ve always wanted to live in the Valley anyway.” Said Kumiko. 

“Then why didn’t you ask sooner?” questioned Icea. 

“Because I know you enjoy your privacy out in the Valley alone. I wouldn’t want to invade on that.” Said Kumiko with a yip. 

“I would’ve let you stay if you’d asked. It gets lonely in the Valley.” Said Icea.

“I did’t want to ask, I was afraid it be to much.” Said Kumiko. 

“No, not at all. You’re a friend. It’d be different if some random dog came and asked me.” Said Icea laughing. 

“Well, when do we leave?” Asked Kumiko, her eyes brightening anxiously. 

“Now!” said Icea with a happy bark.