The Hidden Enemy

Part 3: The Search

Maple brought several fat rats to her den and ate them with Poppy as she told her pup what had happened.

"So you found them, mom?" Poppy inquired.

"Yes, Poppy, I found them." Maple replied tiredly.

"Tell me more."

"Ok. As you know, we found that human habitat." Maple stated.

"Yes." Poppy stared eagerly.

"Well, I went back there."

"You did?"

"Yes, Poppy, I did." Maple said. "Now let me finish." Poppy nodded. "When I went back, I found a den that was filled with animals. There were so many! But the animals were surrounded by these metal bars. It was really weird."

"And you think Fire is in there?" Poppy yipped, excited.

Maple grinned at her daughter. "Exactly, Poppy. I think Fire is in there."

"Are we going to get him tomorrow?" Poppy was now jumping around her mother.

"Correct." Maple barked. "But not 'we', Poppy. Just me. I'm going to get him tomorrow."

"But I want to help!" Poppy protested.

"It's too dangerous. I'm not going to lose you." Especially after Hazel and Fire. Maple added in her mind. "Are you done with that rat? I'm going to bury the leftovers of my food for later."

* * *

Maple slowly crept toward the human den. She wrinkled her nose at the smells and the sound. That bin there... it smells good. Maple thought, glaring at a metal bin. I might want to take a look. No, Maple, you have to find Fire!

After a heated debate between mother and daughter, Poppy had agreed not to come, much to Maple's relief.

Maple raised her head to look around her. The animal filled den was just over there. She quietly approached. A fence! Her mind went. Maple padded around the wood-and-metal border, then decided the only way was to jump over it. Maple crouched down, wishing she had a snowshoe hare's powerful hind legs. She jumped, using her thick, fluffy tail to rudder her over the fence. A human came out of the den, shouting. Maple crouched immediately, stalking over to a bare patch of ground, blending in. She looked at the only entrance, and decided to listen for the humans with her strong hearing. When she could hear no more humans, Maple made a run for it. Leaping forwards, she pushed her legs, driving herself towards the door. She skidded to a stop in front of it, then cautiously pushed the door open with her snout. What she saw made her gasp.

So... many... animals! She thought, dumbfounded.

There were indeed lots of animals. There were robins, mice, squirrels, the weird little creatures called gophers, a few raccoons, and even a red-tailed-hawk.

"Eeek! Eek! Eeek!" The gophers began as soon as they saw her.

"Oh, for goodness's sake." One of the raccoons muttered. "Those gophers again."

But Maple was only paying attention to one animal. The red tailed hawk was looking at her with curiosity as well as caution. Maple stared back for a few seconds, then started to look for her pup. She roamed from one side of the den to the other, searching for Fire.

"Pssst." A sound reached Maple's flexible and powerful ears. Her ears often helped Maple in hunting. They could pinpoint exactly where the prey was. She turned around, turning her ears as well, looking for the voice.

"Come over here, fox." The voice came again, but this time Maple could tell who the speaker was. She walked straight towards the metal-lined box that held the hawk. "Thanks, fox. I really need someone intelligent to talk to. These creatures are driving me crazy." The hawk pointed his beak at the gophers.

"You're welcome." Maple replied. "Also, my name is Maple."

"Ok, Maple." The hawk said. "I'm Thunder."

Thunder, huh? Maple thought. "Thunder, I have a question. Are there any red foxes in this place? Especially pups?"

Thunder thought for a while. "No, actually, there isn't. Why do you ask?"

Maple took a deep breath. "Are you sure?" Her mind went frantic.

"Use your nose, Maple. You should be able to smell a fox if there is one." Thunder said.

Maple raised her snout and scented the air. Nothing. There was no scent of a red fox, not even an adult. That can't be true. Maple thought to herself. But she knew it was. Her nose never lied to her. Maple let out a quiet yowl, unable to control herself.

"Maple!" Thunder exclaimed. "What's wrong?" Quivering, Maple told him about Fire and how she thought humans did it.

Thunder looked thoughtful. "Maple, can you get me out of here? I can help you, but I'm trapped." He looked around himself. Maple nodded, and was going to work on the bars when they heard humans.

"Run!" Thunder yelled. Maple bolted out of the door as humans entered it. Giving Thunder a last look, she hoped he understood. I will come back, Thunder, I will come back.