The Hidden Enemy

Part 2: The Incident

Soon enough, Maple had caught enough food for her and her cubs. She slowly padded back to her new den, a shallow tunnel that expanded at the end, forming a perfect bed. As Maple neared her den, she felt that something was out of place. Picking up her pace, she found Poppy all alone, curled up beside a tree, shivering with fear.

"Mommy!" Poppy exclaimed when she saw her mother. " You're finally back!" Poppy ran towards her mom and Maple licked her head reassuringly.

"What happened, Poppy?" Maple asked, pushing down her fear. "Where's Fire?"

"It was horrible, mom!" Poppy wailed in distress. "Fire and I were playing in the woods. We were playing hide and leap. Then... then..." She gulped.

"It's ok, nothing is going to hurt you." Maple whispered. "Tell me what happened." She walked her pup towards their den.

"I don't actually know." Poppy whimpered. "I heard Fire yelling for help, but when I looked from where I was hiding, I couldn't see him! He was gone!" Her sentence ended with a mournful yowl. "Something took him!"

No! Maple yowled in her mind. Fire, gone. Someone took him, WHO? Thoughts raced through her mind as she pictured Fire in the grasps of cruel creatures, ripping him apart. Her mind immediately flashed back to the moment Hazel was killed by humans.

By humans. Maple's mind filled with possibilities, both good and bad. "Poppy." Maple said urgently. Her little pup opened her eyes, frightened. "Before Fire... disappeared, did you hear a loud noise of some sort? Like a...'boom'?"

Maple's heart pounded hard in her chest as she waited for a response. Finally Poppy raised her head and softly barked a 'no'.

"Are you sure?" Maple questioned.

"Yes, mum, I'm sure." Poppy replied.

At least he didn't get shot by a firestick. Maple thought, letting out a sigh. "Poppy, I want you to stay here. I need to find Fire."

Poppy jumped up. "I want to help."

"You've had a long and stressful morning, my pup. I'm glad you told me all of that." I hope Poppy will be fine on her own. Maple fretted in her mind, then assured herself. Poppy is the second oldest in my litter. She's always been the strong fighter. She will be fine. "You can help some other day, ok? You need to rest now." Maple nuzzled her daughter's cheek, then watched Poppy settled down. Maple exited the den and covered the tunnel with twigs. There. That should be good enough.

Maple looked up at the midday sun and began her search for Fire.