Whitefish River Blue Monday [BWP P3]

She was growing uncharacteristically impatient with her daughters, her fear that something might happen to Acheron increasing with every second that she stood here arguing. Both of them seemed to still resist hers and Tobias' directive to follow him to safety and wait for her there. Their words made guilt rise in her chest; she didn't want to leave them alone at such a scary time, but she didn't know what else to do. If she could split herself in two, she would do so, but that was impossible. Trying her best to keep the fear and pain from her expression, she looked at the twins. She was going to demand again that they go with Tobias but before she spoke, they both seemed to slowly make their way over to her packmate. She nodded at Tobias, her expression full of gratitude, and then her gaze fell on each of the three pups, lingering a few moments before she turned and took off back towards the river. 

She searched for what felt like hours before she heard the cries for help. The sound painfully squeezed her heart, and she sprinted towards it. When she got closer, she could hear Acheron's soft, fearful whine when he thought his cries had been in vain. The water level raised around her the closer she got to her son and by the time she finally laid eyes on him, it soaked the fur on her chest and flanks. She called out to him but her voice was drowned out by a loud cracking sound. Her gaze met Acheron's terrified eyes as the cracking brought a tree to the ground between them. The force from the tree made water surge up around the rock the pup was huddled on, and it swept him off. Speedy jumped forward onto the fallen tree, her only thought to save him. Acheron flailed around in the current of the swollen river, and she quickly jumped in next to him, grasping his scruff between her teeth. He was heavier than he used to be, but adrenaline made her strong enough pull him onto the tree trunk.

They both panted for a few moments, soggy and cold. When she thought he was ready, she jumped back into the water and urged him to walk along the log to where the water was shallow enough that he could swim to land. He seemed unsure at first, afraid the water would carry her away or that he would fall, but she was able to assure him they would both be fine, which was honestly amazing since she wasn't sure of either. But what choice did they have? Halfway to safety, the tree began to sway back and forth in the water, knocked loose by the current. Acheron looked at her in terror but continued to make his way towards the land. They raced forward, finally reaching the gnarled roots of the fallen tree. She helped her son down and they quickly moved from the water. Moments later the tree was finally pulled from its spot and swept away. She hugged Acheron's shivering form close, her eyes watering as she realized how close she had been to losing him. She was too relieved to have him here right now to scold him for wandering off and instead helped him to his feet and led him back to towards where she had left the rest of the family. 

Speedy found Tobias and the three pups in the plains not far from the river. She was soaked and exhausted but managed a smile and met whatever greeting was offered. She looked around worriedly after a few minutes, wondering where everyone else was and hoping they found their way to safety as well. 

skip Acheron again