Sapphire's Sight

Chapter 1 - Shadow

I opened my eyes, still slightly tired even though I slept all night. Once I started to wake up, I looked around and again and jumped quick on my feet. 'Where am I?'

The place looked strange but not in a bad way, the sky was a soft blue and pink mix, making me think of the beginning of a sunset, keeping it's beautiful soft look. And not changing like a normal sky. 'Beautiful...'

I was snapped out of my daze as a black silhouette appeared in the distance, standing apart from the soft and light colored scenery. "Hello? Who are you?" I called out to the figure, taking few step towards it.

Suddenly, it's head snapped up and looked at me, causing me to freeze and jump back slightly, 'What is happening... Could this be a dream?'

"...Cinder..." I was shocked as a loud voice boomed throughout the place, causing me to look around wildly, looking for the cause. The black figure took a step towards me, making me take another step back. 'No... How... How is it speaking with it's mouth closed?!' I questioned with panic.

"Cinder!" The voice called again, with more force with this time and louder. I couldn't look away from them, I was to scared. I could feel my legs shake, overpowered by fear. Then, the other figure started running at me!

I clenched my eyes tightly, ready to feel some kind of pain, along with more scars to bear than I already had, but all I felt... Was something... Odd. Like my body was pulled out of my fur... 'what is this...?'

I opened my eyes again, and nearly whimpered at what I saw my reflection, but it wasn't me. It had blood red eyes, the fur was a lot darker, and worst of all, it had a grin... A grin you would never want to see... With pure evil intentions.

"AHH!!"

I jumped from the hard dirty ground, the dark tiny den smelled of wet mutt. I could hear birds chirping in the distance, alerting me to the morning.

With a soft sigh, I regained my composure, the strange dream melting off my pelt as I shook the dirt from my fur, being careful about the thick sky blue color around my neck that was slightly to small for me.

As I stepped out of the den, I had to squint my eyes because of the bright sunlight that tried to get at my eyes. At least the warmth felt good on my fur, getting rid of the coldness that came from the wet den floor.

'finally...' I thought, now fully adjusted to the bright sky of spring.

Winter was harsh for me this year, it was a lot harder to find 'prey' and stay warm in the snow, even more so when the pesky house cat got snow in the den while I was asleep... That was cold. Prey was also more scarce, there were tribes of cats nearby which used a lot of prey for their young, and from even time to time I could scent the familiar smell of other wolves, which made me slightly nervous but excited... Sadly i never got to meet one since I got tied to the fence...

A soft crinkle of leaves cut me from my thoughts. My head snapped to where the noise came from, and there sat a small hare. It didn't seem to notice me, in fact it was nibbling on something I couldn't quite make out, but that didn't matter.

I crouched low to the ground, careful of my movements, and crept forward quietly. My Movements were slow and steady, not wanting to scare what could be my next meal for days away.

When I got ready to make a move on the rabbit, I accidentally stepped on something hard... And wooden. The loud breaking sound not only made me jump, but the rabbit started to run from me! I knew I wouldn't be able to chase it because of the lead, so I just sighed and sat down, stomach growling and practically crying out for me to somehow get the hare.

"Aren't you gonna go get it?"

A voice sounded from beside me, making my jump back and snap my head towards the voice. There stood, a beautiful dark gray wolf, she had beautiful red eyes that seemed stick out from everything else. By the sound of her voice, I guessed she was a female.

As I faxed at her curiously, she titled her head slightly to the side, giving me a look as if she were looking for a response, however that didn't stay in my head long as I looked at her even darker gray marking, especially the one around her eye.

"Well?" She asked, leaning closer to my face and making me snap out of my daze. 'Why did I just stare at her! How rude!'

"S-sorry, I uh... I can't really go after it..." I said with a slight chuckle, kicking the rope that was keeping me to the fence. She looked at it and shook her head, a small grin stroking on her face.

"That ain't nothing! Want me to help you?" She asked in a slight teasing voice that made me confused, more at her words. 'she could... Get rid of the rope? Set me free?'

"Here, I've got this!" She said and walked over to the end tied around the fence, making me slightly nervous. Then, she grasped it in her jaw, clenching down on the rope hard. I gulped in nervousness, watching her with a mix of curiosity and anxiety.

She suddenly began to tug on the rope, pulling it towards me! I didn't understand what her plan was, but weird feeling in my chest told me to trust her.

After a bit of forceful tugging, I heard a ripping sound and looked up to see the she-wolf holing the rope in her mouth, the part that had been holding me to the fence now ripped... Giving me the freedom I hadn't had for years.

I smiled softly, trying not to cry out in happiness as she approached me again, dropping the rope behind her and giving me a satisfied look. "So how about I also get the collar of two? Maybe I could bring you to the pack."

My... Collar...?

But... I've had it for so long...

It was originally my mother's... But now... Mine.

Do I really want to part with it?...

"I mean, if you don't want to it's fine, but at least let me detach the rope from it." She said with a slight giggle, bringing me back from my thoughts, only to flinch in surprise at how close she was to me!

I was about to move back when she pulled back, holding more rope in her mouth. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and smiled kindly at her.

"Thank you so much! It means a lot... My name is Cinder, what's yours?" I asked happily. She seemed even more satisfied with my question, sitting in front of me.

"My name is Shadow, it's nice to meet you Cinder. Now, let's get you out of this dump shall we?"