Hunted

The Escape

The Dobermen walked up and down the rows. Billy had removed their chains before he left and locked the door for the night. They didn't quite speak wolf, but Night could understand some parts. Maybe they are somewhat speaking like their masters.

"Boss... kept us up... training..." Night decoded from the Doberman nearest to her.

"Quit your complaining, Fang." Understood that one. The largest one called to the other Doberman.

"...taking a nap" The third doberman, which Night thought was female, said grumpily.

In case you guys don't get it, the elipses (...) are parts of the conversation Night can't decipher.

The large male blocked her path, "Don't think so, Bullet..."

"Move, Diablo... not Alpha..." Bullet bared her fangs at Diablo.

Diablo laughed and returned the agressive posture. He's like their Hawk, a snotty leader.

Fang sighed and desperately tried to break up the fight between Diablo and Bullet.

Night blocked out the growling and barking of the Dobermen, there was another noise, a cage rattling. Night tried to listen more carefully, but the noise stopped.

                                           ***

The Dobermen whined and pulled at their chains as the Alpha Creature walked up and down the rows. Suck ups. The Alpha Creature walked down Night's row. He stopped to smile at Night, then continued.

The Alpha Creature growled and kicked an empty cage towards the Dobermen, "Where's the wolf with the scar?"

Ari? He escaped? Why didn't he help anyone?

Diablo slowly slinked towards the cage and sniffed. He looked behind him at the others and growled.

"Stupid dogs. No food for two days." The Alpha Creature ignored their whines.

The Alpha Creature kicked the cage once more. It rolled into the dogs. They whimpered and scratched each other scrambling out from under the cage. The Alpha Creature grinned and left the den. 

Night heard Tipper and the Alpha Creature talking outside the den.

Tipper walked in running his fingers through green sheets. He leaned against the wall.

"Wait that's not right..." Tipper mumbled and ran his fingers through the sheets again, more rapidly.

"This is half my payment, not double." Tipper shoved his payment into a leather case.

He opened the door, looked outside, quickly closed it and scanned the cages. When he saw Night's he grinned and ran towards her.

He bent over and looked her in the eyes, "I'm letting you go, if you attack me you will lose that freedom."

"Money, money, money... that's all everyone wants isn't it, Tipper? Yea, Boss, it is. Look what happens when they don't get what they want." Tipper whispered to himself and made one corner of his mouth curve.

Night carefully watched Tipper move the metal piece attached to the door of the cage. He lifted it and turned the loop until it faced the other way. He moved his lips the same way as before and walked away. Night looked at him perplexed, but then pushed the door lightly with her nose. It creaked as it slowly swung open.

"What are you waiting for? Get out of here!" Misty barked at Night.

Night walked out of the cage and stretched. She looked at the others, their eyes full of hope, yearning for freedom.

"If I release you, you are to help others escape." Night looked at Misty through the bars then spoke for everyone to hear, "No one leaves until everyone is out of their cage; work quickly and quietly."

She pushed the metal piece with her snout. It lifted up and the loop slightly moved to the left. She continued lifting the metal until the loop gradually made it to the other side. Night nodded and Misty pushed the door open.

Soon, all the cages were empty Night stood in front of the door. She glanced at the Dobermen. They have stayed silent the whole time. Why?

She walked towards the dogs and sat in front of them. Wolves behind her raced out the door she was once blocking. Diablo sat tall and had his back to her, but she noticed him glance at her. Bullet had the same hopeful eyes the wolves had had.

Fang whimpered and quietly barked, "Help... stuck"

Night's tail wagged when she saw Claw.  He walked up to the Dobermen and studied the chains then the spiked rings around their necks. Claw approached Diablo, who growled.

"The things on their necks, they're loose." Claw said to Night.

Night nodded her agreement. They could slip out somehow.

Diablo's ear twitched and he grunted. Does he understand us?

He turned to where he was facing the chains and pulled as he back up. The wolves and other dogs watched anxiously. Soon, the ring slipped up his neck and over his head. He shook his fur and grinned. The other Dobermen mimicked Diablo's process. The three stood with Diablo slightly leading.

The large male nodded, "Thank you."

They ran out the door, snarling.

"Where are they going?" Claw asked Night like she knew everything.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps, they are angry with their master." Night said and bolted out the door.

She froze forgetting about Claw's missing paw.

He quickly caught up, "Don't wait for me!"

Night sprinted towards the forest. It's never felt so good to feel grass under my paws.

There was a loud bang. Dust flew up next to Night. She fell to the ground and covered her ears in fear.

"You missed, you idiot!" Billy's voice broke the unwelcomed silence.

Claw shoved Night back to her feet. She glanced behind them to see Tipper firmly holding the stick and Billy arguing with him. Night and Claw ran swiftly on their feet to the forest. They panted with glee.

                               ***

"We are free once more!" Claw rolled in the grass, they had run a good distance from the Evil Creatures' den.

Night playfully tackled him, their hearts full of glee and carelessness.

"We're pretty lucky, you know?" Claw grinned.

Night nodded and laughed.

Night stood up and scanned her surroundings. One problem after the next: Where is everyone?