Blacktail Deer Plateau rude awakening [m]

Fox was beginning to wonder if she would ever feel "normal" again. True, it had only been two days and two nights since she had lost Haunter, but it was by far the greatest loss she had even experienced. It hurt in a way she could not even begin to explain, and she dare not bring it up to Peregrine, for fear that it would unleash something else entirely in her. Instead, she walled off that section of her emotions for now, preferring to stick to one difficult thing at a time. The Sunspire had to be dealt with, and Fox could not wait much longer. A day or two at most.

“I have to go to The Sunspire,” she blurted, failing to answer his question. “Not now, but… soon, very soon.” One way or another, she had to get Magpie and Leaf back to the safety of Swiftcurrent Creek. The sleep had recharged her mind and body, and a plan was already forming in her pea-brain. “I’m going to take their place.” It was not a question, not a request for permission, but a statement. “I’m the one they want, Perry. I have to do it.”

Only once she had stopped talking did she glance back in his direction. “Squirrel sounds good.” She wasn't sure if she wanted him to try and talk her out of it or not. Actually, there were way more things that were uncertain that certain right now, and it unnerved Fox. However, she knew that she had to go take the place of the two captives, whether Peregrine liked it or not.