295Please respect copyright.PENANAYooRElvldM
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The snow howled in the frosty December air. The grey sky spread like a fire blanket being thrown over a fire.
I was the only one awake. My pack were untroubled by the wind; it woke me up like a hungry cat demanding food. After it woke me up, I realised I couldn’t get to sleep. I decided to walk around the forest, as I was bored and no one was awake and I wasn’t going to sit there, waiting until someone woke up.
I stand up, stretching my legs. They seem to have gotten numb whilst I was sitting down. I look back at my family, looking so defenceless huddled together. I sigh. As I walk out of the cave, a voice whispers:
‘Going somewhere?’ It was Sharp.
‘What’s the point?’ I mutter to him,’ No one was awake, so I decided to go as I wouldn’t stare at you gormlessly. So, I am going.’
He scowls.
‘Well, I’ll go with you then.’ He says.
‘No, you’re not.’ I say defensively.
‘Then I follow you, you can’t stop me.’ He says stubbornly. I sigh. He trots after me, feeling triumphant that he won the argument.
The forest was empty currently. No birds chirping, and rabbits who were hard to find made it difficult to make meals. We were in famine. The worst time of year for it.
The Canadian weather was horrible at this time of year. I only knew from what my parents told me as I never saw the outside world. Ever. We live in groups. The city we live in, ‘Dark Wood’ is our area of the 'kingdom', is the smallest of them all. We all live in caves or under trees. Or, if you are royalty, in a cabin, which is the cosiest place in the kingdom. Our King is called Jupiter, and the chief is Saturn.
We were supposed to go back, as the sun, although covered by the grey clouds, started to rise. I realised this as the winter birds began singing.
If you want to know the reason why we are not allowed to go into the forest, then here it is.
It is unsafe.
No one goes in there unless you're qualified to do so or it is a certain reason that is acceptable.
We headed back after we strolled happily around the forest (Sharp did, I dragged myself as he knew he could win me over). It was a long walk from the forest to Dark Wood, as our city was in the middle of our kingdom. Getting caught sneaking out was punishable by death. And I don't want to have an early ending. Countless people have been seen (that don't have a valid reason).
I kept to myself until lunchtime as Moon and Shalfin were looking at me suspiciously. I tried to tell them it was fine, but clearly, they could tell I was lying. I gave up trying, as all that would happen was they would pester me until they got it out of me.
'What's the matter?' Moon asked yet again. I scowled and trotted off to the futurist part of the lake away from them and buried my face into a chunk of antelope, eating until I had to come up for air.
I sighed in relief; all the hunger from today's early morning walk had been fulfilled by this bloody, tender and plump antelope. I silently gave my thanks to the parents of the offspring that has, sadly, for them but good for us, ended up in our growling stomachs.
There was a sound of bashing paws. I turn around and notice that Jupiter, our ruler of our town, is upon the rock that serves as a podium.
'Hello, alphas, scouts and wolves of every rank.' began Jupiter.' I will go over some important notices before letting you go back to your normal routine. Firstly: I will remind you that going out of the town has a severe sanction, that could be punishable by death.' (My heart sunk in my chest with guilt, hiding in my chest like a startled tortoise) 'Also, there are interviews and hiring opportunities for new scouts and guards.
'That is all I have to say, thank you.' Applause ended his speech.
The air was cold and bitter. It chilled me to my very bones, but I had to be on my own. Only for a little while. Not enough to arouse suspicion. I sighed so deeply that I coughed.
The frozen lake looked magnificent as a light layer of snow dusted the surface like icing sugar. Then I saw it in the trees. A glimpse of grey and gold metal on white fur. A shadow like a large bear. Well, it was. A Urusus warrior. Luckily, it must have been too distracted to see a young wolf like a sitting duck. It left before the mind could register what happened. I tried to convince myself that it wasn't our deadly enemy that has just been witnessed near the camp, but when you see the greatest fear of your kind, you can barely even breathe. I knew I had to tell someone. But then I would be accused of being out at night, even if it was inside Dark Wood. There was a sound of scuffling behind me. I whip around to see the dark silhouette of a wolf.
'Oh, breaking the rules are you?' he smirked.'Only I know all the ways out of here.'
I sat there, weighing the tone and way he worded this sentence.
'You can trust me by the way. I'm Namoi.'
'I'm Kespi...' I say uncertainly.
'Well, Kespi.' he sneered,' I will be your guide in law-breaking.'
'Erm. I had enough law-breaking in my life thanks.' I smiled lightly.
'And that's why you should let me take you onboard.' He whipped his face up to the air and laughed in a dog-like manner.
This should be easy having this life.
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