Redhawk Caldera born to run

This will be set just outside of the RHC borders. @Marbas

 

The little soot spot had wandered too far.
 
Her family den had been filled with sleeping bodies and she was not in the mood to lay down for a nap and rest with the others. Lucy had found her tiny puppy body growing restless and so she had decided she would search for the young pup that had introduced himself as Jack. She had only met him once on the edges of their den, but he had been kind to her and his face had been new and unfamiliar. The little child could only recall the way his hushed voice had fallen on her ears and she was convinced that she had found a new friend in the agouti male.
 
But the child was wrong; she had found herself wandering across the caldera with little knowledge of where she was going and no capability to find her way back. Fear was gripping her and she longed to see the familiar apple green eyes of her brother Eljay. She wanted him to wrap her in his limbs and pull her close to his chest.
 
Taking tentative steps, the soot child caught a scent that seemed familiar but did not register as being important. She wondered faintly if she was drawing closer to her home or to the home of Jack. Her baby blue eyes were wide as she gazed upward – the sun was going down behind the mountain and she was finding herself fearful of the dark that would swallow her. The shadows on the earth seemed to stretch out before her like nasty claws. A soft whimper escaped her lips as she – unknowingly – stepped across the border of her pack and into open terrain.

freakin children going everywhere xD

Lagan wasn't much of an explorer. He liked the comfort of his den, with mommy and papa and his sisters. And occasionally big bro Eljay or Uncle P or his cousins would play with him. Life was good. Until Lucy was gone. Uthy? Lagan sat up when he realized Uncle P's secret daughter wasn't there with him. Iffy ere Uthy? He proded at his twin's side, hoping she'd respond, however she only rolled over and continued sleeping. He didn't want to wake papa or mommy, they were pretty asleep. So for once, little Tiarnach rose from his spot and stepped outside to go explore.

He walked for a while, the land of the caldera was way different from his den, and it was scary. Every couple seconds or so, he'd let out a frightened whimper. Uthy? He checked in the roots of a tree, under a rock? Where had his sister gone. The silver puff continued on like this for a while, tail tucked tightly between his legs. When finally he found her, he bounded happily in her direction. Pummeling into her side, the apple eyed boy grinned a toothless smile. After walking in the shadows, alone and afraid, his inky sister was like a gift!

Uthy why ooo ut here. He asked, cocking his small head to the side. He didn't know that he could be in danger, or that they shouldn't be out here, he was only worried about his sister.

He was still not fully recovered - Lotte had told him to stay put, not to stress the healing wounds that opened on his neck every time he even yawned. And the fevers were endless. It seemed impossible that he should ail so long, and yet, still hold on to life. When had he last eaten? Drank? All his life was sleeping, and the whole world was a dream.

Marbas moved drunkenly, as though he were walking on a cloud that wasn't quite sure it wanted to hold his weight. His nosed was filled with the sick smell of infection, and his eyes were clouded over with the intensity of the heat that burned within him.

When he saw the little balls of silver and black, he headed for them without a thought. They might be dinner, and he might be hungry. But, drawing near, the milk-sweet scent of young children came into his nostrils. He sneezed once, twice, and then dove toward them, clamping his jaws around the wriggling black mess of a girl.

Thoughtlessly, he turned back the way he came, jaws not-quite-gentle around the spoils of his expedition.

The young child felt something bump into her and she yelped in surprise, jumping several feet before fixating her gaze on the familiar form of her brother. Oh, her sweet brother! The girl’s baby blue eyes lit up at the sight of him and she clumsily walked forward to bury her nose into his short fur, breathing in the air that she thought was caught inside of his slate-colored body. The sound of her name caused an exhale of relief, and the little soot child thought that she had somehow found her own way home. That was until the beast came.
 
He was a towering creature with thick fur along his neck and shoulders, coated in a color that she had not seen before. The brute’s eyes glistened with a strange hunger, and the inky child shivered in spite of the brave façade that she was attempting. This wolf did not smell of her father or mother; he was a stranger to her and she immediately became quick to step in front of Lagan. The apple-eyed boy had come to rescue her, and she would not allow for this large monster to scoop him up to swallow him whole.
 
When the fangs clasped around her small figure, Lucy let out a squeak of fear and her dark limbs began to churn in an attempt to escape him. Wildly, the child glanced around for her brother and when she caught sight of him still on the ground, she whined quietly. “Lag…” she whimpered with fresh tears pricking at the backs of her eyes. “Lag!” the small pup cried once more as the monster began to turn with her clasped in his jaws. The beast was not kind, and he did not move as though she was a small and fragile animal – he moved as though she were a trophy to be guarded with iron fangs.

Lagan enjoyed his sisters warm embrace for a few moments, her breath was warm in his fur. He remained there, comforting her, his small head digging into her fur. Ith goo Uthy. He said, replicating a phrase he'd heard before. He felt so safe and warm by her side, but remembered how much more safe he would feel if they were with the rest of the Blackthorns. He was about to turn and bounce his way back home, which might take all night with his sense of direction, when a giant arrived. A Lucy eating giant at that, for the large dark beast reached down its monstrous head and snatched his sister.

Lagan's lime green eyes widened exponentially as he watched the monster take his baby sister away. Lucy was crying, and he heard her cry his name. He was very scared, but wanted to help her. Trembling he moved after the big monster, squeaking helplessly behind it. His breathing grew shorter as he struggled to keep up, but realized he couldn't. The beast was getting away with his sister! Uthy! He cried, watching the thing take away the little soot spot. His little soot spot. Hot tears filled his eyes, alone again he longed for his mommy and papa. He longed for his sister back.

Oh noooooo! Assuming Marbas and Lucy are far enough away that he can't see them. :(

Elwood stretched, reaching out with his forepaws towards the three slumbering bundles that were his puppies. But his toes only brushed against one small, fluffy mass, which caused him to open his eyes blearily. He blinked once, twice, his vision clearing slowly as he took in his surroundings. Finley and Liffey were accounted for, but the other two babies were missing. With a knit brow, the father took to his feet, stifling a yawn as he stepped out of the den. Surely Lagan and Lucy were nearby playing -- they had become particularly adventurous, as of late.

But when he didn't immediately see them, unease welled in his breast. His heart gave a fearful squeeze and he cast a quick, furtive glance back at his sleeping wife before putting his nose to the ground and following their scents. He felt a mixture of worry and anger -- they knew better than to go too far without an adult, and yet here he was, tracking down his misbehaving children.

He moved quickly, growing more concerned as he found himself veering towards the borders. There was a sudden, sharp cry and Elwood accelerated, blood roaring in his ears. "Lagan!" he called, recognizing his son's voice, and soon he was upon the grey pup, pulling at him with his forepaws. "Where's Lucy?" he asked breathlessly; by now, there was no one in the vicinity but Lagan, but the smell of a stranger made Elwood feel sick to his stomach.

This is so sad!

Lagan's cries grew louder, and as always someone arrived. Tears dribbling from his eyes into his mouth, he bounded towards his father, burying himself under the adult. He had never been more scared in his life, nor had he felt so sad before. The monster had taken Lucy, and he had watched. He had tried to save her but he couldn't. Why couldn't he be bigger, and stronger? If he was, he could've protected his sister. His little soot spot. His father asked where Lucy was, and Lagan looked away, tucking his head into his papa's fur. Monther ook Uthy! He wailed, his apple colored eyes shimmered with a fresh wave of tears.

Idnt ave her! His words came out with a small choke, this was what really bothered him. Papa and mommy could've saved her, but weren't there in time. He should've helped her. He locked his gaze into the yellow eyes of his father, hoping for any sign. Anything to know that it would be alright.

"Monther ook Uthy!"

Lagan's lisped response rang clearly in Elwood's ears, and his stomach dropped all the way to his feet. He was so acquainted with his son's speech that he could interpret it easily -- and he realized with dread that the boy was referencing a monster. Immediately, Elwood's mind began to race; he needed to take Lagan back to Finley and then begin the search for Lucy. But what would he tell Finley? Would she somehow blame him for the loss of their daughter?

The boy was still choking out misshapen words, his panic evident. Elwood took a deep breath in an attempt to calm his own nerves, but he felt his grasp around Lagan begin to tremble. "Okay," he said breathlessly, then repeated himself in a slightly stronger tone. "Okay. What did the monster look like, Tiarnach?" he asked, looking his son square in the face. Once he knew that much, he would try to decide on his next move.

Lagan could tell that his papa was in distress, he could see the worry in Elwood's eyes. That only made the boy's cries worse. They came out staggered now, as if gasping for air. The whole situation was rather suffocating, all he wanted now was comfort. But his father needed his help, so he swallowed a last chocking sob which turned into a sniffle. What did the monster look like? He could tell this was an important question, the yellow eyes of his father had locked onto him, and his tone had darkened.

Black like guncle pee! M-mean red eyeths! He sputtered as best he could. His description was as accurate as he could remember, big, black, with red eyes. Oh course he wasn't positive of what he saw, and his description had some gaps, but what he would remember, for many nights to come, were the eyes. The eyes like blood. A monster indeed. He stumbled forwards again to hug his papa's leg, whole body quaking with fear. Papa wan go ome. His voice wobbly, as he sniffled sporadically. All the fear was making him tired, so he leaned his weight onto Elwood's leg.

Probably last post for Marbas. Blame my co-conspirator!

Marbas was already far from the territory. There was a clear trail to be followed, but he ran with a single-mindedness that he did not posess when his head was clear. Lotte's face swam before his vision, and he imagined that she was running before him, her dark flank ever out-of reach. Very soon, he found himself crossing rivers and navigating prey-scented forests - but his prey was already in his jaws.

My last post! You can post again if you want, Pompoko! :)

The pup gasped for breath between sobs but eventually managed to eke out an answer for his father, which Elwood promptly committed to memory. He was looking for a black wolf with red eyes: the monster that had taken his daughter. "Good job, Lagan," he praised quietly, taking a moment to press his nose gently to his son's cheek. Lagan wasn't the one that had been kidnapped, but he was obviously still traumatized by what had happened.

"Come on," he encouraged, shifting his leg to try to get Lagan moving. The boy wanted to go home, and Elwood would escort him there quickly. His mind was racing; he would tell Finley what had happened and then he would go after Lucy. It had been far too long since he had left the safety of Redhawk Caldera and his mental map of the wilds was much less extensive than Finley's, but in his mind it was more important for her to stay with Lagan and Liffey. He wouldn't take no for an answer.

So he ushered Lagan towards the den, his plan forming slowly as his desperation rose.

Good job Lagan. Comfort at last, Elwood's cheek pressed gently against his own, and Lagan pushed back. The warmth that his father gave was enough to put the boy to sleep, and sleep was all he wanted now. He sniffled up his last tear, and pictured Lucy there beside him. Everything would be ok, his father was going to find Lucy. It would be ok. He closed his eyes, content to sleep where he was between his father's paws, but Elwood began to move, encouraging Lagan to do the same. The small boy stood, glancing up at Elwood eyes wide. 

Then he followed his father all the way home. Leaving Lucy out there. Liffey would be so sad, and mommy too. It wasn't long before father and son were back at the den, and Lagan buried himself in his family, shivering until he got to sleep.