Just finished chapter 3! Hope you all enjoy!

Harper was running but, she wasn’t sure why. “Ma? Ma!” A limp rabbit lay in the middle of a dirt road. The rabbit looked up at Harper who was now standing over the body. “Why did you do nothing?”, the rabbit coughed weakly. Harper tried to speak but no words came out. Harper looked up to see a wolf barreling towards her and the rabbit. She wanted to say, “I won’t leave you this time, I promise, we can go together!” However, when Harper gazed down at the rabbit, she wasn’t moving; her eyes grey and glassy, just staring at her. Terror burned inside Harper, she wanted to scream. As she turned back to the wolf, it was right in front of her! The towering predator pushed her a side, making her tumble to the ground. The wolf stood over the rabbit, slime oozing from his gaping jaws. He pounced for the rabbit. “NO!” Harper’s eyes shot open and her hands were shaky and sweaty, it just a dream. She took a shuddering breath in. She tried to go back to sleep, but it was no use. Harper got out of the creaky bed and looked out the window. The moon was low in the dark sky, she guessed it was around four in the morning. Harper gazed around the room and suddenly realized that she wasn’t in her room. Panic hit her like a brick wall, and then she remembered this was the Grove’s house. The disasters of yesterday creeped into her memory. “They’re not here with me… why is this happening to me?” Her thoughts plagued her. “Will I ever see them again?” Harper mumbled aloud. Her jacket hung on one of the bed posts. She grabbed it, throwing it over herself, and poked her head into the shadowy hallway. As she tiptoed down the staircase, she noticed the banister was decorated with dried leaves. Harper was careful not to smash them as she descended. She went through the kitchen to the living room. Harper lightly trotted to the great door. She cast one more look over her shoulder, then opened the maple door. “I just need some fresh air. Just some time to think this all out.” Harper moved silently down the dirt path she had walked the day before with the Keiran. She remembered a simple wooden bench at the end of the walkway. Harper figured that would be a good place to sit and think. As the dirt path came to an end, there was the bench. Harper fell into the seat, she gazed around at the misty forest. It seemed so peaceful, she could hear birds gently chirping. Harper smiled, “Sorry, did I wake you up?”, she smirked sorrowfully. “Hopefully you guys have your family. I don’t even Know if my brother and sister are alive.” Grief overcame her and she stuttered as water overflowed out of her eyes. Her tears sprinkled her paws that lay in her lap. “I miss them so much.” Harper sat quiet for long while, finally she wiped her face with her dress and prepared to head back.

A sudden noise stole her attention, it came from the thick brush under the canopy of trees. Harper turned. “Mr. Groves? Is that you?” “No.” A strange voice returned. A red fox that looked similar to Mr. Groves, emerged from his cover. This fox was younger, much younger, he seemed to be about two years older than herself. “Oh, hello.” Harper uttered in surprise. “Hello. You are new here.” He answered with a strange smile. “Yes I am.” A knot balled up in her stomach. “Something is not right.” She swallowed hard. “Well, I’m Tyran.” “I’m…” She didn’t dare give her true name. “I’m Brooke.” She managed to spit out. “So, where do live?” She studied her feet, “Umm, I live here for now.” “You mean, you live with the Grove’s? Oh, doe you better run!” “What do you mean by that?” Harper was confused by his comments. “You’re a fine doe you should not be wasted on… being their food.” Harper stared at him. “Your point is..?” She didn’t care to hear his compliment. “I mean they’re just fating you up for dinner. They don’t care for you or what has happened to you, they just want to stay fed. If I were you, I would flee as fair away as I could!” “Uh-huh… thank you for the warning, but I will take my chances.” She spun on her heel, but the fox started up again. “I wouldn’t!” He edged closer. “Thank you, but I can take care of myself.” Just then something burst through the trees. “What are ya doing here, boy?” It was Mr. Groves. He stood between Harper and Tyran. “Just making conversation.” “Aye? Cuz’ from what I see, you are trespassing. “We were done, Mr. Groves.” Harper said. Well then get of me grounds, now.” Keiran glared at the cub. “Fine.” Tyran grumbled. He retreated back into the woods. Mr. Groves was silent as the pair strode to the house. Once inside, Keiran slammed the green door. “Harper, that fox would have killed you!” Harper gazed down, “I know.” “What were you doing outside?” His voice only got harsher. “I was just thinking…” “Of what, how to get killed?” Mr. Groves eyes glowed in the dark room, they seemed to cut right through her. “Keiran! How dare you!” Jennifer stormed in, wrenching Harper behind her and defiantly planted herself nose to nose with him. “Have ya lost it? This poor doe has just lost her family! Ya don’t need to be so harsh!” Mrs. Grove snarled. “Tyran tried to Kill her!” He barked. “If I wouldn’t have been out there, she could have died.” Mr. Groves looked his wife right in the eyes, but the vixen didn’t stand down. “Well, if you can’t control your anger, then don’t speak!” Jennifer’s eyes burned like fire and her bared teeth glittered threateningly. “I think you should go, be home for dinner.” Keiran gruffly turned to slink out of the cottage. Jenny coughed, “Aren’t you for getting something?” Mr. Groves spun abruptly, walking back to the vixen. Mrs. Groves kissed him on the cheek, then handed him a net. “I love you.” Jennifer uttered apologetically. Keiran didn’t reply, he sighed and walked out. She scoffed, “Ha! Men.” Rolling her eyes, she turned back to Harper, “Well, I’m sure you are hungry!” She smiled at Harper. “I’m sorry Mrs. Groves.” “Oh, its fine Harper! That old brute needs to get over it.” Jenny gave a musical laugh. “I am hungry.” Harper smirked. “Aight! I made a lot, come eat!” Jennifer led Harper to the table. A bowl of carrot soup sat on the table, beside it a handkerchief of berries. Across the table was more berries and some toast. Harper sat down in front of the soup. “It looks delicious.” “Well, I hope it taste delicious.” Harper sipped the steamy broth from a wooden spoon. “Oh, it taste amazing!” “Glad to hear it! Would you like to come to town with me after breakfast?” “Yes, I would love to.”

Later, Harper and Jennifer walked through the forest into the small village. “Mrs. Jennifer, may I ask you a question.” “Of course, Harper.” “Umm well, why don’t you have any kits?” “Oh…”, Jennifer quickly looked away. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that.” “No, Harper you should know. Me and Keiran always wanted cubs. That was our dream, to start a family. But, after losing three of my wee ones...” The vixen’s eyes shimmered in the sun. “I’m so sorry to hear that.” Harper whispered. “It’s fine, me and Keiran still love our life. We just wish we could have shared it. That is why I think Kerian was so hard on you. He just doesn’t want anyone else getting hurt.” They were now in a little marketplace. Everywhere Harper looked, there was a fox. “Pa told me there was a place with only foxes.” Harper mumbled. “Well, this is it. Not much.” The vixen looked around, then gazed at Harper. “Stay close to me, not every fox loves rabbits.” Jennifer walked up to a vendor. Another vixen stood there with her child. The cub was all white, but its mother was brown all over. Mrs. Grove placed multiple things in her basket and paid the merchant. The nearest foxes just stared at Harper. “This feels weird.” “We’ll be home soon. Just act like there looking at you because you’re the queen of all Natalia.” Jennifer grinned. “That’s a good way of seeing things!” Harper giggled.

***

Once they returned home, Harper helped Jennifer make supper, cutting up vegetables and crawling in cabinets to find spices. The maple door creaked open and closed with a slight thud, Keiran was back. “Harper, would you come here!”, he called. Harper looked at Jennifer; Mrs. Grove didn’t look at her she just kept working. Harper wiped her messy paws on her apron and glided to the front door. Keiran just finished taking off his jacket, “Hello Harper.” “Greetings.” Harper awkwardly fumbled with her apron. A silence fell between the two. Keiran heaved a sigh and scratched the back of his neck, leaving the fur ruffled and on end. “Ah, well, Harper,” he began as he crouched down to her height. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been so severe with you.” His deep eyes gazed at her. “It’s ok.” Harper replied looking down. “I need to be more careful, and not go outside when its five in the morning, I’m sorry too.” “Well good, glad to see you two finally work this out!” Jennifer stood back, wiping her hands on a towel. “Cuz’ if you two were going to hold that grudge for one more minute, I was gonna rip my tail out!” They all laughed and scurried to the table, the savory smells beckoning them to sit.

A big thanks to @Aspen Whinfell for the character art!

God Bless!

~Harper~