Redhawk Caldera Suicide

When he came to stand over her her, concern coloring his voice as he questioned her, Wildfire shook her head. She didn't want to—she couldn't—bring herself to answer that question, at least not with the truth. The mere thought made the flame of mortification burn hotly in her gut. But she had to tell him something, give a reason to explain her totally out of character behavior.

"I—I was attacked," she managed, which was true enough. "I didn't mean..." Why was it so difficult to string together a proper sentence? Furthermore, Wildfire couldn't bring herself to look up from her own front paws. "I wasn't thinking. I just ran to safety. I'm sorry, Uncle El. I'll go."

With her belly still slung low, she began to creep even further from the borders, feeling the red fur on the back of her neck prickle as her amber eyes swept the nearby tree line. Her heart beat fast, climbing into her throat, as she tried to figure out the best route home. If she went east and circled around the caldera, it would take longer but she would avoid passing by the forest. If she went west, she could clean herself up at the lake and get home faster.

Torn, she froze, keeping her body contorted strangely to keep her backside out of Elwood's view. Her tail remained tucked, hopefully hiding her humiliation from view.