The Heartwood Well, nobody's perfect

She didn't know it but Wildfire was headed almost due south. She tipped her ears backward to listen for sounds of pursuit, though it was difficult to make out anything above the sounds of her own heavy breathing and slapping footsteps. Eventually, she slowed down a little, then stopped entirely. Wildfire cocked an ear, then laughed quietly and began running again when she heard footfalls coming closer.

Wildfire galloped at her top speed, somehow managing not to stumble or fall, until she arrived at the corner of the forest, where a stream wound away into the distance and eventually emptied into Big Salmon Lake. With a joyful cry, the soot-covered youngster leaped into the cold water, then turned to face her pursuers. She hadn't heard the other girl's farewell shout, so she kept her amber eyes peeled for both the freckled Charon and the pale June.