Emberflame Ridge Broken Compass

She sighed, leaning up close into her mother's touch. She couldn't imagine what she would do if Speedy wasn't here. Probably panic and cry until she had no more tears left to shed. Her words were encouraging, but she found them hard to believe. "It's just so different than home. But I will try." She sniffed with a promise.

Malila moved slowly, letting her deeply rooted base instinct guide her. The rough terrain felt strange under her paws, but after many unsure steps, she began walking more methodically. Testing the earth gingerly for the best footing. One leg after another, while her muscles burned. Her delicate paw pads, so used to nothing but lush grass, were growing sore and raw. 

She squinted her eyes shut, not so much as to block out the discomfort, but the sheer lack of plant life in this forest. As an avid nature lover, it broke her little heart to see so many blackened trees. It was wrong...unnatural. The sooner they got out of here, the better. But who knew what waited beyond for them. She nodded, taking up the offer. "Uh huh. Just for a while. My paws aren't used to this."