Animalia: The Green Forest, Book 2

Chapter 11

One month later.
"The lake is so beautiful." Rose cooed. "I'll never get tired of staring at it."
"Eh. It's okay, I guess." Samson muttered. "I've seen better."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'm sure you have."
The pair were sitting close to the lake. Rose was admiring it with a dreamy look on her face. Samson just blankly stared at it.
"Wouldn't it be nice to swim in it?" Rose sighed. "Maybe I should go for a quick swim there during the summer this year. After I graduate."
Samson looked away. "I've swam in the lake before." He mumbled. Memories from two years ago suddenly swirled in his mind.

"Ew, water!" Alex's shriek rang in his ears.
"Yes, water!" Luca shouted enthusiastically. He was splashing about in the lake. "Get your cute little butt over here and join us!"
"Leave her alone, Luca." Samson chided. He was also in the lake with his cousin. "If she doesn't want to swim with us, then don't force her to."
"Nah!" Luca snorted. He gestured to Alex to join them. "Have some fun with us, Alex!"
"My fur is going to get all wet!" Alex complained. But she was unzipping her sweater. She tossed it on the ground with a purr.
Samson's heartbeat quickened when Alex took her shirt, then her tank top off. Her chest was bound with green fabric.
Luca was staring at Alex with an intense look in his purple eyes. Then he shook his head and let out a huff. "Hurry up!"
Alex tripped when she was taking her pants off. "Don't rush me!" She cried. She kicked them aside, scurried to the lake and stared at it with wide orange eyes.
Luca suddenly surfaced from the water. Samson stared at the spot beside him in alarm. I didn't even see him disappear! He realized.
Alex let out a screech when Luca suddenly grabbed her with his strong arms and pulled her into the water. "No!" Alex cried. There was laughter in her voice. "Water so cold!"
"Don't worry," Luca chuckled. "My big muscles will keep you warm."
Alex stuck out her tongue at Luca. She struggled out of his grip and waded toward Samson. "I'd rather be warmed by Samson!" She purred.
Samson felt his cheeks warm up at her words. He opened his mouth to say something but he was suddenly hit by a wave of water.
Luca was splashing water on him. "No way!" He growled playfully. "I'll be the one that keeps Alex warm. Fight me, Samson!"
"Stay back, Alex." Samson nudged her away. "Things are about to get intense."
"Whoever makes the biggest splash gets to cuddle with Alex in the water!" Luca shouted. "Give up, Samson. I'm obviously going to win. My big strong arms will make the biggest-"
"Hurry up already!" Alex interrupted Luca. She was shivering. "I'm freezing!"
Luca instantly started splashing. Samson countered back with splashes of his own.
They continued at this for a while. Alex would always switch sides while cheering. One moment she was cheering for Luca, the next Samson.
"Alright, let's take a break now." Luca held his hands up. "I'm pooped. Let's relax and finish this H2O war later."
Samson nodded. "Yes. Let's do that."

Samson's heart ached at the memory. We never got to finish that fight in the way we should have. He realized. We fought again. But it was not a friendly competition. He remembered the stormy night when he and Luca had fought-the terrible night they had fought to hurt each other. Luca and I weren't playing around that night like we were that day in the lake. What happened to us?
"Samson?" Rose had scooted closer to him. "Are you okay? What were you thinking about?"
Samson turned back to the human. There was concern in her blue eyes. "Nothing important." He replied gruffly. "Just thinkin' 'bout a time when Alex, Luca, and I hung out in the lake."
"Oh." Rose nodded in understanding. "How long ago was that?"
"At least two years ago."
"Mh. Was it fun?"
"Yes. It was lots of fun. I just wish. . ." Samson stopped himself. I can't burden her with my problems. It wouldn't be fair.
But Rose gave him an encouraging look. "You just wish. . . What?"
The look she gave him was all it took for him to come clean. "I wish things could be simple again like that day," Samson blurted out. "Luca and I had a play fight in the lake that day. We had tons of fun. But the next time Luca and I fought, it wasn't a fun game. We were out for each other's blood." Samson felt a tug of guilt. "I hate fighting. But I didn't have a choice. Luca would have killed me if I hadn't fought back. We're family. I don't like hurting my own family."
Samson had to stop and take a deep breath when he had finished. Poor Rose. He thought guiltily as his breathing steadied. She didn't deserve to have me blow up on her like that.
Rose was silent for a few moments. Then her blue eyes softened. "Oh Samson, you poor puppy." She patted the top of his head. "I'm sorry about all the stuff you went through. A good boy like you didn't deserve any of that."
I'm a good boy? Some instinct in Samson kicked in and suddenly made him brighten up upon hearing those words. He felt his tail start to wag. "It's alright." He replied meekly. "As long as I have you and everyone else supporting me, I feel like things will get better soon."
"Things will get better soon," Rose sounded so certain that Samson almost believed it. "Trust me. It might take a while, but these bad times won't last forever!"
Samson and Rose continued to sit in comfortable silence, staring at the lake.
This is nice. Samson felt content just sitting there. Just me and Rose hanging out.
Samson's ears perked up as he heard footsteps. I swear, it better not be Luca. Samson thought in frustration as he stood up.
"Samson?" Rose anxiously looked up at him. "Is everything okay?"
"I don't know." Samson narrowed his eyes as he stalked toward the trees.
Rose followed close behind him. She had her hands placed on his shoulder and a worried look on her face.
Samson protectively curled his tail around his friend as they walked. His ears were pricked as he listened for more sounds.
The sound of footsteps suddenly became erratic. Even Rose heard it. She gave Samson another anxious look. Then the footsteps stopped. Samson and Rose edged closer.
"Stay behind me," Samson ordered Rose. He slowed his pace. What the?!
Rose let out a gasp.
Tsuki was slumped against a tree with her back facing them. She was squirming against it with heavy pants. What happened?