Wild Dogs: Run

Chapter Six

     I wake up in the middle of the night to the feeling in my gut that King Snowfur is up to something.

     I glance over to Starfur who is still peacefully asleep beside me. I slide away, careful not to wake her.

     The guilt of possibly waking her up starts stinging me like a wasp.

     I don't want to make her upset! She's gone through a lot the past few days. So have I, but she matters more to me. If she's happy, then I'm happy.

     I stealthily crawl out of our cave, hopefully not waking anyone. I crawl until I reach the entrance of King Snowfur's cave. I creep up close enough to the entrance to hear what's going on, but not close enough to be seen.

     I'm barely able to make out what they're saying.

     "They've been here for four days already. I can't believe they haven't tried escaping yet. Actually, to be honest, it seems like they want to stay." The first voice, who's I do not recognize, points out.

     Is he talking about Starfur and I? We've been here for four days and trying to make it seem like we want to stay here.

     "That's what they want us to think." King Snowfur retorts with a growl. "That Starfur is smart, but she's no match for me."

     "Should we put your plan into motion?" A third voice, Squirrelfoot's, asks.

     "No. That plan won't work now. I've got a different idea."

     I start to panic. What plan? What is he going to do to us? Is he planning to kill us? Probably. He's a complete and utter fox-heart who has no sense of-

     "What is the new plan?" The first voice asks, taking me back to reality.

     I need to pay more attention. I need to find out what he's going to do so I can go tell Starfur and-

      "Squirrelfoot, when they ask to go on a hunting patrol in the morning, I want you to send your two friends, Sundappled and Cinderclaw, to the area you'll be hunting in. Be sure to tell your friends to attack Starfur and Roseycheek and kill them." King Snowfur carefully explains.

      I suppress a gasp to avoid being caught. I gotta tell Starfur!

     "What if they don't want to go on a hunting patrol?" Squirrelfoot asks.

That question brings me to a halt.

     "Blacktail, at sunhigh, ask them again if they want to go on a hunting patrol. If they refuse, get your friends, Stormtail, Crowclaw and Firefur, and simply kill them." King Snowfur explains nonchalantly.

I see flame coloured fur move in the bushes on the other side. I catch the eyes of the wolf who is over there. The wolf pokes their head out slightly. It's Tigerfur! She beckons to me to come over there.

Is she mouse-brained? We'll get caught if I come over there!

I shake my head.

She lashes her tail irritably, accidentally hitting a bush.

Everyone goes silent. Tigerfur's eyes wide with fear.

"Someone's there!" Blacktail says.

I hear their paw steps move towards the entrance.

I dash away to mine Starfur's cave in fear. I make it back without getting caught.

I go in and start shaking Starfur vigorously, trying to wake her up.