PART 2! Hope y'all enjoy it, byeeee! God Bless!

The rough hands that covered her mouth earlier were now restraining her arms. Her captor spun her around, where her eyes locked on to a pair deep amber eyes. The eyes belonged to scruffy red fox. “Allo, little one.” He smiled kindly. Harper couldn’t speak, she was frozen in her fear at the sight of his glimmering smile. “Sorry if I gave you a fright.” An awkward silence grew between the two. “…Ah you, uh don’t talk much, ay?”. The fox had been crouching to be level with her, but he now stood up. He rose higher and higher; Harper gawked at his ascent. When he reached his full height, her hears folded back, flat on her skull. She mumbled, “Your scary.” He laughed, the light dancing on his white fangs. “Well, I’ve never been called that before!” He suddenly realized they were still standing beneath the towering trees. “If your gonna keep me laughin’ like that, then we best get somewhere safe.” He whispered. Grabbing Harper’s hand and walking on, he noticed he was pulling her along. “Missy, do you want the wolves to eat you?” he half-laughed, not turning to look at her. “How do I know your not going to eat me?” Harper retorted sharply. He rolled his eyes then turned around to look at her. “Well first, and do clarify this if I’m wrong, but you’re a Lightbrooke, right?” “Yes I am, and?” Harper’s face twitched with a bit of irritation. “Well, I practice sword fighting with your Pappy.” “Really?” Harper croaked in unbelief. “Then what was his favorite King in history? I would assume you would have talked about that with him. It was his favorite subject.” Harper now glared at the fox. She didn’t care if she sounded disrespectful. “King Lander.” The fox replied. Harper sighed, “That’s true. But-” Harper began. But the fox interrupted her. “And if I wanted to eat you, I would have killed you long ago. I would not want to deal with a screaming doe!” “That does make sense.” Harper murmured quietly, looking down. “Glad we agree, now do you want to be eaten or no?” The fox was a little cross now. “No…” harper said almost silently. He extended his hand. Harper hesitated for a split second, then softly put her tiny paw in his. The fox seemed to walk very fast to Harper, but she just couldn’t keep up with his long strides. She had to trot just to stay in step with him. After walking for many hours, the fox stopped and studied the little youngling behind him. Harper let go of his hand and dropped to the ground, grabbing her sore feet and rubbing them. As he looked at her paws, he saw that her ankles were slightly swollen. He sat down on a rock beside her. “Little one, why did you not tell me you were hurting?” “Pa says never to bother people with your troubles. Especially if they have helped you so much.” She could feel a hard rock in her throat, she was about to cry. Her eyes filled with water, he put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry about what happened to you, you are very brave. You will make it through these hardships.” Harper gave a big sigh of exhaustion, “Thank you.” she said, wiping her eyes. She stood slowly, the pressure in her paws coming back. “Easy now miss, take your time.” He steadied her. “Why do your paws swell?” “I’m just not used to running all day, sir.” Harper was feeling more comfortable around him, she determined to be more respectful to him from now on. “We are close to my house now, do you want me to carry you the rest of the way?” “No, I will manage, but thank you.” “Ok then let’s go.” He slowed his walk for Harper, hoping that it might help her sore ankles. “Sir… if I may ask, what is your name?” “I’m Kieran Grove, your father told me your family’s names once, but for the life of me I can’t remember them.” “Well, I’m Harper and I had…have a big brother and a little sister named Mark and Sage.”

Harper saw, through the breaks in the brush, a cottage ahead. “There it is.” Kieran said, “The Missus will probably give a speech about bein’ home on time and keepin’ me noise out of stuff.” “Is that why you were at my town?” “Yes, the wolves had walked through our woods, I saw them and decided to follow them. And that is how I found you.” They were now at the front door of the cottage, Mr. Grove pushed open the green door and walked in, “Dearie I’m home!” A beautiful vixen ran up to Kieran and kissed him, and then smacked his shoulder, “You had me worried sick!” “Sorry!”, he chuckled, as he lifted her up into the air. “I have a little something for ya.” He waved Harper in; she had been hiding in the doorway. Harper shuffled in slowly, peering shyly at the lady. Mr. Grove’s wife was beautiful black fox, speckled with grey and the end of her tail dipped in a greyish white. She had a very kindly face with enchanting, glassy, honey-colored eyes. “Oh my, the poor little thing.” Mrs. Grove glided towards Harper, she had an accent like Mr. Grove. “Well, dinners done! I’m sure you both are exhausted. Come on now, let’s eat!” They all walked into the simple dining room and began to eat. As they ate Harper and Mr. Grove told the dark vixen how they met. “My name is Harper, ma’am.” “And my name is Jennifer.” the inky fox grinned at her. After they finished Harper thanked Mr. and Mrs. Grove for dinner. She tried to help clean up but after being scolded several times, she was lead to her room. As Harper laid her aching body on the plush bed, the room swirled into a peaceful darkness and for now her worries were forgotten as she sunk into a deep slumber.