I can't roll with these punches

She was mid step, just about to take off toward her older sister's den, when her father appeared within her light of sight. She froze, hearing Marigold yell something at her from behind her before the antlered fox's head popped out of the den as well, spotting Sirius and falling silent. She stood there conflicted, torn in three different directions. Go to Asla, go to Art, go to her father. The panic, the fear, started to eat away at her gut, her eyes darting away from him for a moment, looking off in the direction of Asla's den. She had to do something, didn't she? Tell her what happened, get help? But she thought about holding Art, comforting him, and that's what she wanted right now. She wanted to escape, she wanted to hide. But her father...

He spoke her name and her gaze went back to him as her ears fell back against her skull. His voice was soft, he seemed calmer now. It was enough for her to pull the cool air into her lungs and let it out with a trembling sigh, steadying herself. Her neck still stung fiercely, the bite still seeping trickles of blood into her coat, but she ignored it. After a few hesitant moments she finally stated to move, taking slow, careful steps toward her father. She felt like she was on edge and felt like she needed to be ready to run at any moment. But she approached him all the same, stopping maybe a foot away. The bit of space felt good, kept her chest from constricting in on her.

"Dad..." she said softly, her voice breaking. "What... Why?" She had wanted answers and now this was her chance.

"Briar" | "Marigold"