» fern's alienation

❝ The brambles rustled as Fern left Blue alone with the mouse she had caught. A branch snagged on his tail and ripped a tuft of fur off his tail.

Venom-hearted branches, Fern thought as he passed between two oaks. Bits of fur prickled along his spine. Is my instinct sensing something?

All of the sudden an earsplitting, bloodcurdling cry rang throughout the forest that could have been heard from the mountains.

Was that Blue? What had happened to her? Fern was rooted in his tracks, one paw raised to his chest.

He slowly looked over his shoulder to see . . . absolutely nothing. The great trees and thick undergrowth blocked all signs of life.

Fern didn't know where to go. Going back to camp and acting like nothing happened could result in more than serious consequences, and going back to check on Blue could meet him the same fate he believed Blue had met. ❞

[ if a point of view changes, a chapter will start out with the animal's name that the p.o.v. is changing to ]