Forest's Journey

It was raining lightly on a quiet and peaceful night nearly two weeks after the war had ended. The wolves retired to their dens early since they couldn’t chat outdoors. Many of them fell asleep quite early, as they found the gentle pitter-patter of rain calming. However, just a few hours after the wolves had blissfully fallen asleep, a few of the wolves were woken by cold flood water lapping at their bodies. They sat up in alarm, and found that the den and the rest of camp was being gradually flooded. Forest and Rose were among the ones who were woken, and they rushed out of their den to wake everyone up so they could evacuate camp. Forest turned his attention first to the pup den. He found that Meadow and Kestrel’s mates were already there, and they were desperately trying to keep Kestrel’s young pups away from the water that now covered the floor of the den.

“I’ll get some Etas to help carry the pups.” he promised as he rushed out of the den.

He found everyone else already assembled in the middle of camp, getting ready to leave. He nodded for two Etas to help Kestrel carry her pups while Meadow ushered her pups and Forestson out of the den.

“Forest, what’s happening? Why is there so much water? Where can we go?” Forestson whimpered.

“Don’t worry son, the rain’s going to stop soon, and everything will be fine. However, we do need to find a place to go.” replied Forest.

“The small hill on the northern side of the camp is the highest point in our territory. If we climb the slope along the two sides of camp we should be able to get there quite quickly.” suggested Rose.

“Good idea, but what if it’s not high enough?” fretted Forest.

“All the other higher places are too far away. We’re not going to get there in time. The rain’s coming down harder and harder.” responded Amber.

Forest looked back and saw that Kestrel and Hoot, as well as the Etas he assigned them, were carrying the pups and ready to go.

“Alright, we’ll go to the place on top of the camp. Let’s go.” he instructed as he led his pack out of the camp.

To his relief, his packmates didn’t all surge up to the entrance and block it so no one could get out. They left the camp quickly and orderly in twos, most of them willing to wait their turns. The flood water was rising at an alarming rate. It was nearly up to Forest’s knees, and he had to push himself through the current of water. He glanced back at how Forestson was doing, and he saw that he was struggling greatly against the water. Meadow was telling her mate and other wolves to pick her pups up. Forest went back for Forestson, pushing through the crowd and carrying him by the scruff.

Rose had begun leading the wolves up the slope, and Forest joined her at the front of the pack. Forest was never a particularly strong wolf, and he found climbing a slope with a heavy, drenched pelt while carrying a pup extremely difficult. He dug his claws into the soft, muddy earth, and puffed and panted as he made his way up. He looked back occasionally to make sure that no wolf was in trouble. The slope that would normally take them a few moments to climb was now taking them nearly a dozen minutes. Forest could hear the scared cries of Kestrel’s young pups, even through the rain. His heart flooded with sympathy. He would be scared to death if this happened to his pack when he was their age. When most of the pack had already made it up the slope, a wolf gave out a loud cry. Forest whipped his head around immediately, and saw that one of the Lambdas was holding onto soft earth, which could give away any second, with his claws. If it did give way, he would slide down and plunge into the cold, dark water that was waiting for him below. He was about to command Steel, who was standing near him, to save him when Titan barged in, grabbed the wolf by his scruff, and pulled him up. Forest and Rose flashed Titan grateful glances.

“Thanks.” he panted, still breathless from panic and shock.

“No problem.” Titan grunted.

Soon the whole pack was on top of the hill, and they formed a tight circle to protect the more vulnerable members of the pack from the cold. Forest was glad there weren’t any predators like foxes waiting for them up there. The pack could not afford a fight right now. The biting cold and the winds that sliced through the air like claws seemed to flow into his pelt like how water seeps into dirt, and he felt frozen to the bone. He, along with most of the other wolves who stood on the outermost circle of the pack, was shaking uncontrollably. He had originally wanted to tell everyone to lie down and have a rest so they wouldn’t waste energy, but he now knew it was an impossibility. Forest didn’t know why the rain was so heavy. Sure, there were heavy clouds over the past few days, and everyone expected rain, but not rain so heavy it would flood the river, which would overflow onto their territory! Yet, despite the freezing environment, Forest felt a flicker of warmth spreading from his chest. He was glad that the pack banded and worked together the way it did. Being in a pack had bonded them. They had certainly come a long way since Prickle complained about Meadow getting her pick of prey before him. Forestson’s pitiful cries jolted him from his thoughts.

“I’m so cold, when can we go back home?” cried Forestson.

“I don’t know son, but we’ll be able to go back eventually when the floodwaters recede, I promise.” replied Forest.

He rubbed one side of Forestson’s flank rapidly with his paw, which helped warm him up. Forest recommended Meadow and Kestrel, especially Kestrel because her pups were so young and weak, to do the same.

“Is Forestson ok?” Rose asked as she came over to where he was standing.

“Yeah, he’s fine, he’s cold and scared but I’ve assured him that everything is going to be fine.” answered Forest.

Rose bent down until she was at face-level with Forestson.

“Hey buddy, you’re so brave! We’re going to go home soon enough, and everything’s going to be just fine, ok?” comforted Rose.

Forestson nodded. He seemed much calmer already. Forest was glad that Rose cared about Forestson and willing to help him raise him. She’ll make a wonderful mother when time comes, he thought affectionately. He noticed that some wolves, especially the older ones, were looking quite tired, and it would be unfair to deny them a rest.

“If anyone is tired and wants to lie down and have a rest, you may.” called Forest.