Spotted Eagle Mountain little voice

With Spring's very physical encouragement, the youth tried to find his own paws, but it was difficult — he was exhausted and broken, and his would-be saviour was so much fitter and faster than him in his current state. So he left his fate entirely to her, and in doing so was perhaps easier to carry. She had to half-drag him too, but he was so soft and light it was more his larger-than-puppy size that caused the awkwardness. He was but a little accessory, something to drag, and had exactly the set of thoughts you'd expect from an accessory: no thoughts at all. Until he heard it...

A horrifying, blood-curdling snarl. It was Shardul, and the broken boy closed his eyes tight. Oh god oh god oh god oh please... he hoped he would die this time. The life the cougar had forced him to lead had not been a life at all. Death, then, was a luxury he yearned for, and freedom was not yet something he considered.