Zodiac and Pavement's Adventure

 In the cold of mid day, in a snow storm I ran.  I looked back at my canine brothers and sisters, with only one question, ‘Why did they betray me?’  I their wolf sister ran from there slay of men, a constant cry of pain in my shoulder where I had been struck with an arrow.  I hadn’t cried yet and I didn’t know how long I would be able to last, bleeding to death, running on a limp.  I versus ten trained to run in the harness dogs.  Usually it would’ve been a stop and fight them, but with the gash and the humans, I just kept running.  

I realized Zodiac was on my back, and I just couldn’t help but want to go faster.  They could have me, but my little monkey was going to live past this day and on to find some new owner, or even a new family of monkeys.  I couldn’t compete for much longer on pure speed and knew soon I needed to find a place more along the lines of maneuver.    Even if I wasn’t quite in my best shape, all of those dogs tied together wouldn’t be able to touch me, they would be getting stuck and the humans were nowhere near fast enough to catch me on foot.  

I couldn’t find my wished rock or hill, and I heard the barks behind me coming closer.  I heard little monkey whimpers from my baby and I started picking up my legs.  I was so tried and Zodiac felt heavier than ever.  I felt like I was finally getting payback for hunting all those deer in my blue moon cycles.  

Zodiac was still clinging onto my with his mightiest monkey strength.  He understood we were in trouble.  I couldn’t help but look into his bright blue gray eyes.  He was whimpering and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the end.  I looked to the sky; even though it wasn’t my home sky it was beautiful.  Even though my legs hurt, I couldn’t slow down.  I thought about my family back where I lived, wondered if I would ever see them again.  

Would Zodiac get to see the wild monkeys he liked to play with?  Would I be the one to end his hope?  I don’t think I would want to live alone again.  Sure, Zodiac and I had only live in the same cave for only a while, but when you’re locked up almost all day in a solid stone room, you get to being great friends.

He made little scared sounds again. “It’s okay little one,” I whispered; even though I didn’t really know.  I needed more time to think.  I looked back and forth, my legs where starting to give in and I was slowing down.  Grey rocks stuck up out of the pure white snow, making an island of solid stone.  ‘Just keep running, never look back.’ Ha. Hadn’t someone by the name of Shadow a.k.a. my mate say those exact words when he had asked to take a trip with me?  

‘They’ll tear me and Zodiac apart, but only if I give them the chance. ’ I headed up the rocks and found no luck in that either, the humans cut their dogs loose and they rushed after us.  The lead sled dog cornered me against a rock wall.  My claws ripped at the wall realizing it was pretty hopeless.  

I turned to growl at the dogs.  The lead dog barked loudly, snapping at me “Disgrace of the canine population.”   The others laughed at his little joke.  My shoulder was bleeding out, I was fading out, and Zodiac was petting my head, making sad noises.  

-~-~-~

I woke and barked kind of strangely, it was loud and echoed on my cave walls.  Zodiac had been curled up to my side and had woken up from my cry out.  He patted my side a bit roughly and made his little concerned chatter.   He put his paw on my muzzle, “Hey hey, you have to sleep, and I do too.  We will be going out to hike tomorrow little ones like you need their sleep.
 
I picked him up by the neck like a pup and pull him next to me.  I pulled my tail over him to keep him warm.  “Sorry I woke you Zodiac, I just had a bit of a dream.  It’s all okay, now go to sleep.”

He snuggled up to me and made a little purring sound.  He put his hand on my face and stroked it gently until he fell asleep.   I couldn't help but think of that terrible night with my pack.

I wondered if I could ever see them again, but if I wanted to would I have to leave forever, or could I come back?  I loved Marrah, but I also loved my home.  I would need someone I could trust to watch after Zodiac, I had told Athena to take my place if I left.

I wonder if she had.  I wonder how they were doing. I had I left her too pressured?

My pack, My responsibilities.  But I had not filled them, and now, I just didn't know what to do.  I went back inside and brought Zodiac close to me.  HE was my current responsibility. I refused to mess this one up.  Tomorrow Zodiac and I would go to Marrah, and ask about visits,  Or maybe I should leave him, so he doesn't think I'm trying to leave him,  But then he would wonder into the woods and perhaps be hurt.

I would think about it more tomorrow.