Jupie looked across the sparkling ice on Ayman Lake. The sun glistened on the clean, white ice, nearly blinding Jupie. He wished the beuitiful white raptor would come back, flying over the lake, so Jupie could thank him.

He rubbed at his blue eyes drowsily. The sun was so warm, and some of the snow had melted from the dirt mound behind him. Jupie lay on the heap, sleep overtaking him. His brother, Jackson, always said he was so dirty… Jupie fell asleep.

He woke to screams and shrieks. The beating of wings and clashing of steel. Jupie jerked awake standing up quickly. He gazed across the frozen lake. Several enormous raptors, not the white falcon, were attacking two rabbits.

Jupie screamed. His heart raced and head swirled before calming down. He grabbed a heavy tree branch from the ground and bolted toward the frozen lake. Jupie ran quickly as the ice cracked behind him. He charged up the shore, waving the branch. He clubbed down the nearest hawks with his branch, crying wildly.

The hawks each fell in turn. Jupie threw his branch away, turning to the two rabbits.

Fleck sat on the ground, rubbing at his nose and wiping the blood trickling from a split lip. Jackson lay unmoving on the ground.

“J-Jupie?” Fleck asked. His dazed eyes focused.

“Jackson!” Jupie crouched down by his brother.

“Fleck, help him!” Jupie cried. He watched as Fleck stumbled to his feet, snapping from his daze.

“We should get him to the warren.” Fleck shouted as the ice in the lake caved in.

……………………..

An hour later.

“Jupie?” Fleck asked, sitting on a bench next to the young, grey-furred buck.

“I’m so scared.” Jupie cried. He placed his head on Fleck’s shoulder, letting the tears come.

“Me-me too.” Fleck said, placing his hand on Jupie’s shoulder.

“No your not. Your never scared.” Jupie said, tears falling.

“Yeah. I’m scared a lot.” Fleck said.

……………………..

Jupie was scared. And so was Fleck. Jupie was crying.

Fleck fought to stop tears from coming. He needed to be brave for Jupie. And for Jackson.

But he was so scared. Scared still from the fight. Still a little dazed.

But he was scared. And he needed to be brave for Jupie.

“Fleck?” Lord Blackstar asked. He walked up, placing a firm hand on Fleck’s shoulder.

“I- I’m so sorry. I always seem to fail.” Fleck stammered.’

“This is not your fault” Lord Blackstar said.

“IU-I’m afraid. I’m afraid they’ll take everything, that I won’t be able to stop them.” Fleck said.

“You need to be brave for Jupie.” Lord Blackstar said.

“Cassie?” Fleck asked.

“She will know soon enough.” Lord Blackstar replied.

“Daddy! Daddy! Cole ate a buggie!” Heyna cried, running into the room.

“Wha-“

“He ate a big stinky buggie.” Heyna grabbed at her father. “He’s gonna die!”

“Wha-“ Lord Blackstar looked confused.

“Daddy! I ate a buggie and Heyna says I’m gonna die!” Cole ran in grabbing his dad’s other hand.

“Cole! Heyna!” Lord Blackstar said in a stern voice.

“Sorry.” Heyna and Cole said in unison.

“That’s better. Now-“

“I ate a buggie! I’m gonna die!”

“Daddy! Save Cole!”

“Alright!” Lord Blackstar yelled. “Cole, your not going to die. Heyna, apologize for saying that your brother is going to die.”

“Sorry.” Cole and Heyna said in unison. Lord Blackstar hugged them both, then sent them home.

“Fleck.” He said, handing Fleck a sketchbook and pen.

“For me?” Fleck asked.

“Yep.” Lord Blackstar left after his children, who were now bugging a nurse.

Fleck sighed, fear still in his mind, and opened the book to draw something.

ahh. Cole and Heyna!!

and don't be mad, at least Fleck and Jupie are alright!!

whenever i'm anxious or scared it helps to draw,,, i'm gonna go do that now...

how are y'all?

-Fleck, finishing this post and another chapter