Post by Shin on Jun 24, 2009 4:42:39 GMT
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What an awful day it had been.
First thing in the morning, I set off on my little trek. I’m not quite sure where I had come from, some dry land of sorts. Anyways, I made my way into this horrible gorge, where I had roughed it up with my paws. Of course, the only thing that was on my mind was surviving. Every time I would dare to look down, I’d miss a step and come halfway to falling towards my death. I knew perfectly where I was, I had heard some speak of that place. I was in the Canyon of Flying Vultures. Never do I wish to return to that place, good for nothing, might I say. There was barely a morsel to snatch up, some rodents here and there. Not really my thing. I prefer fish, I do, and I believe my nose led me here; the abundance of salmon in this certain lake is wonderful.
Back to topic, so I passed through the place, and quickly at that to. Nearing the end, I heard quite a lot of growls, all directed towards myself. Mountain Lions, if I could make it out. That was their territory, and in no way did I challenge that. Perhaps another day, if I somehow gather up enough wolves to call a pack. A family, all for my own.
Yes, so, then I continued. For a while it was simply dry, barren land. That was, at least, a break from sudden near death encounters around every corner. So then, I found myself to be escalating. Not only by sight; the air itself seemed to disperse from my presence. I began panting heavily now, and walking in an odd fashion. I was almost skipping, trying to keep from burning myself. I had burned myself once before, when I was a pup, of course. I had touched the hot metal of the human’s boundaries, and winced in pain for the next week or so whenever anything came in contact with my nose. I had received a well aimed whack from my father for this, and I have discolorations to prove both incidents.
Well then, I do leer off the point quite often, don’t I? So I reached the top of this boiling mountain, and found the top to be steaming and opened, an odd hollow shape. Some wolves told me off this, a mountain with bubbling red liquids burning through the center, burning through everything. I kept my distance from then on, keeping closest to the edge without falling entirely off the cliff.
Thank goodness, I steered myself towards the only serene piece of land I had found in this territory. Sparse forest covered the land, all over the ground as well. Humans couldn’t have done it, of course. They aren’t allowed on this land, this sanctuary of us wolves, which we shared with the other creatures. Other than a few bears dotted in a few places, we were the main predators. It was a splendid thing. Now, I found myself at a few burrows, and in joy, turned around to find this lake I’m located at now.
Wincing as my paws, being through cuts, bruises, and uncomfortable heat, touched the cold water, I found this as a temporary sign of adjustment. It soothed my aches, and I could only stand there for a while, both eyes drawn shut. I was late evening now, and a cold breeze ran through my fur. It flew wildly in all directions, but I ignored it. Though I was slightly chilled, it was to be expected. This bumpy terrain, packed with canyons, mountains, and the sorts, was bound to attract some air currents. Sighing, I continued my way into the water. It seemed, bizarrely, warmer than the air now. Shaking it off, I soon found myself to be neck high in water.
Disturbing the flat water’s surface, I jumped and returned to shallower waters. What had surprised me was something, something slimy, whisked across my legs. Then I realized I had been foolish, it was merely a fish. What else would be in a lake of this size, a sea monster? What silly things humans made up to amuse themselves. Chuckling at me spooking myself, I drifted back to my spot and lapped up some water before taking a stab at fishing. It was so cool, so refreshing, I took longer than I had meant. Stopping myself from filling up with water, knowing how it served the mere purpose to re-energize, I then dunked my whole head in the water.
Even though wolves have spectacular night vision, it is quite difficult to see underwater, day or night. But I could sense it, coming up behind me. So I hopped, front half of my body upwards, so I could exchange the force to my front paws. Lucky me, I pinned the fish in my first try. Then I dropped my head again, and grasped the fish between my jaws. The two were heavyset, but long, perfect to keep the length of the fish’s body inside my mouth and keep it in there, with its ridiculous wriggling. I stepped lightly, avoiding any especially slippery, green rocks that I may break a leg on, and retuned to the shore.
It was no Mexican paradise, with white, sandy beaches and palm trees to match, but the tiny pebbles were a very hefty step up from the other places I’d been today. Throwing down the salmon, as I now knew it to be, far from the shoreline where it could escape to; I watched it wriggle for a moment. What a sad creature, living only in its water environment. Then again, I could only live on the land. When I couldn’t stand it any more, I lashed out onto its head and crushed it with all my might, putting it out of its misery. Then, I ripped its entire head off and swallowed it down. I knew perfectly well the insides were unfit to eat, with odd toxins that could make a wolf sick, possibly killing it.
No matter how unpleasant the majority of this day might have been, it was a wonderful summer night. The tall grasses seemed to call to me, and I responded, two steps at a time. Immersed now, inside of my yellow-green hideaway, I laughed a bit. Rarely did I show my emotions in the presence of others, but I was alone now. Completely alone. Laughing louder now, I broke into a run, dashing every which way through the field. Despite the fact of being completely alone, I was utterly happy. I was booming with happy laughter now, and bounced around. Completely beside myself, I fell to the ground and rested on my side. Old? Ha! Like I’d let that get in my way. Six years is nothing, absolutely nothing, to this field of grass. Why should it be something to bother me?
I did tire myself out though, as I laid down in the grass now, chuckling quietly. I needed that, after today. Its this day I will remember the most. The day I claimed this land, in the name of the Slough Creek pack. Pushing myself to get up, I lifted my shining white face into the sky, now comforted by the moon, and let out a long, unbroken, howl. This, many others may hear. Whatever they chose to do with it, though, was up to them. Fluttering both eyes close, I went to sleep that night, forgetting the past events, and smiling.---
[1258.]