Snippet #2641531

Sticky mud grabbed at Nova's paws, and each step he took it felt like the ground was trying to pull him into its murky grasps. The croaks and groans of the small animal life living nearby the river broke the monotonous silence, and as they forded, Nova carefully looked up and down the stream. No sign of wolf life to be seen. Strangely enough, in this tense situation Nova could only think about how tired he was. It had to have been one of the longest days of his life, and now that he had food in his belly, his mind was beginning to demand the same attention. Put it to rest. It has been used enough today. In the arms of sleep, the world would make sense again. He could dream of a better world than this, a world without war, a world were wolves could enjoy what mattered most: home and family. Isn't that were all joy is found?

Almost to the other bank now. Only a half a league or so more, and they would be safe. Nova looked down at the swirling current beneath him. Peering, he realized something about the water didn't seem right. He froze. The water was red. The claws of fear gripped his heart as he traced the trail of what could only be one substance through the river. Not three lunges away, and Arlyne wolf lay slumped against a rock in the middle of the river. There was a deep gash in his side, and he was bleeding badly. The wolf stared weakly at them, a look of remorse in his eyes. Nova then saw the second wolf who was next to the first, lying senseless in the water. The only thing keeping that wolf alive was her companion's pained efforts to keep her head above water.

"...why did you bring the war to us...flee you three...while you still control your fate...!" the conscious wolf whimpered, before fearfully looking up the river. A series of howls from up the stream split the air from an unseen foe. Nova's weak nerves snapped. He did as he was told, and bolted, assuming the others were behind him. Was anywhere in this world safe?