@Mr. Blackstar , this is for you! hope you enjoy the first chapter!

It was so dark that you couldn’t see a foot in front of you. So gloomy that not even wolves would dare enter. The clouds were so dark and dense that it seemed it could rain any minute, and yet, Rhys ran straight, letting the wind whip at his ears. The adrenaline was powerful, he pumped his legs faster, flinging himself forward with all his strength. Footsteps were barely audible behind him as his enemy zigzagged around the trees with a stealth not usually seen. A root caught his foot sending him tripping forward. “I’ll get it first!” Dawn yelled as she burst in front of him. He grinded his teeth together, rushing straight again. Dawn was soon out of sight and he heard her victory yell not much longer. He stomped into the clearing, trying to act down and upset. Dawn skipped to him, waving the bright flag in front of his face as more rabbits entered the clearing. His team scowled at him while Dawns cheered from a distance. “C’mon!” Ranoth jeered, spitting at Rhy’s feet. Ranoth shoved through the crowd of bucks that consisted of many of Rhy’s friends. Vell, a short buck with a scrawny frame and big glasses was hiding behind Ben. Ben was a tall buck with a muscular frame. He wasn’t the most pleasant to hang around but he was part of the gang. The gang consisted of seven different bucks. They were known as the rebels of Franger county. They rarely were caught doing the things they did. They would steal, vandalize, skip school, break into places, and more. Rhys hadn’t wanted to join, not at all but his older brother, Heneck had and of course forced Rhys to also join. Rhys had only agreed because he needed to stick with his brother. Their parents were dead, they were killed when Rhys was young, too young to remember. No one would have guessed that Rhys and Heneck were related unless told. Heneck had bright orange fur and dark eyes. He had a short, stocky build and always seemed grumpy. Rhys was like an opposite. He had a light brown, almost straw colored fur and blue/grey eyes. He was tall, taller than his older brother.

“Hey!” Heneck said, rushing forward to restrain Ranoth from tackling him. Rhys sent a silent thank you look to his brother before turning to Dawn, a scowl on his face. The doe’s had surrounded her, an air of excitement about them. The bucks and does competed often, and the does had rarely won. They had a different system where they would all take turns competing. The bucks took whoever was the best at the game and made them compete. Rhys was the best at capture the flag. “Don't celebrate too early.” he said, glaring at Dawn. Despite her name her fur was a dark black, along with her eyes. “Why?” she asked cooly, her eyes narrowing as he stalked forward. “Because we still had time. You have to keep it until the bell is rung.”

A doe behind her gasped as he put a hand on her shoulder, pushing her away slightly. “Give me the flag.” he growled.

“NO.” she said, glaring him something evil.

Without warning he ducked beneath her arms, stealing the flag in the process. He rolled over once before standing. A white doe jumped at him but he avoided her quickly, scanning the clearing. There weren't many places to hide, he would have to climb the tree. He leapt up it without making any sound as the doe’s were surrounded by the gang. “Stop girls.” Ben growled as they crouched, ready to kick. Dawn shook her head, turning to the does. “Let them win.” she said, her face falling. “We know they will hurt us, they've done it before.”

That wasn’t fair. It was all in good fun, and Rhys had never hurt them. Only the worst of the gang would dare hurt a doe. It was terrible and wrong. The girls cursed under their breath as they shoved the boys away to get through. Dawn glared at Rhys one more time before elbowing Ben in the stomach and following her friends. The bell rang and the gang erupted in cheers.

This world I live in is horrible

Rhys thought as he was lifted onto others shoulders.

We shouldn’t be kept here, prisoners to the wolves so they can make us fight our own kind. They shouldn’t be able to control how much we eat and who we are teamed up with. The adults shouldn’t work all day for little rations. And us bucks shouldn’t have to try and win stupid games just for survival.

This sucks.