Orphan to Orphan

Chade’s words scream through Ricin’s mind as he watches the paw swing toward his face, “Don’t close your eyes!” So, he doesn’t, he keeps his crimson eyes open and on the paw of the cat. Terror roots his paws to the ground, keeping the pup from moving out of harms way. A thought flickers to life, ‘This cat is going to kill me’. The comfort he has is that at least he will have followed his brother’s orders and not closed his eyes. Time seems to slow and stretch with each heart beat lasting an eternity.

And then help arrives. A blur of gray slams into the cat and bright red blood appears on the cougar’s neck as this new wolf sinks its teeth into the creatures’ neck. The paw swings wide, barely missing Ricin. But it causes the spell to break, freeing the pup from its paralyzing grasp. Without hesitating, Ricin blots for the closest rock, hiding his small body behind the cover and allowing wolf and feline to fight. Blood paints the ground around the pair as blows are traded and Ricin feels his heart plummet. What if the wolf dies trying to protect him?

Just as Ricin steels his nerves to go help the big wolf, the fight ends. The wolf’s teeth sink into the soft throat of the downed cat and the body stills. Crimson eyes flick up from the body of the cat to inspect the wolf that has killed it. His protector stands over the dead body for a moment and Ricin slips out from his hiding place, cautiously approaching the big wolf. Conflicting emotions war for dominance in his mind as the pup tries to think of what Chade would do.

His brother is the cautious one, always worried about meeting new wolves and getting hurt. Guilt forms a lump in Ricin’s gut as he realizes Chade is going to have another lecture with him about the merits of wandering too. However, the chance to sneak away passes as the big wolf turns toward the pup, freezing the light blue boy in his tracks. The wolf’s gruff voice asks if he is alright and Ricin nods quickly, unable to trust his voice to not crack with fear. When the wolf reminds him that he shouldn’t be alone, the pup drops his head.

Ricin feels ashamed that he has allowed himself to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of his brother. He had done everything wrong. The panicked circling to try and find his brother had only served to put himself in further danger. Tucking his tail between his legs, head lowered, ears flat against his skull, Ricin says, “I’m sorry. The fog confused me. I can’t find my brother anywhere. I’m sorry.” He tries to shrink away from the bigger wolf, unsure of what he will say or do.

Crimson eyes flick up to the bigger wolf, trying to see if he will attack him when Ricin spots blood on the gray pelt. Head shoots up and he wails, “You’re bleeding!” as tears spring to the pups eyes at the notion that he has killed this stranger because of his stupid wanderlust.

"Speech"