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A content sigh came from Storms left.
“It's just beautiful, isn't it? “ Storm's head snapped upwards from where it had previously hung. Her heart was beating quickly, her head was swirling just a moment before. The fierce-dog turned to see Breeze's face, her large, beaming eyes sparkling with interest, her muzzle pointed towards the moon-dog. She was shining brightly in the pitch-dark sky, like most nights, glowing in the shape of a half-circle in the sky. Storm cleared her throat awkwardly. “Uhm.. yeah.” She spoke quietly. Then rested her head back onto her paws.
The air was crisp and cool. Storm and her friend were laying peacefully on soft grass, and the air was silent, except for the sounds of crickets and the light breeze. It was a nice night. Storm might even find the atmosphere enjoyable on a normal day, but of course, it wasn't. It's not like any of the days after Whisper were enjoyable. It had been a few days now, from that horrible moment when his body was found outside the camp.
Storm remembered it all too perfectly. All the details of the scene. Her friends' grey frail body was strewn across the grass, mouth agape and died blood pooled around him from a fatal, deadly bite in his throat. His eyes were stretched wide indefinitely, his muzzle now permanently wore a shocked expression. His body proved that his final moments were clearly spent helplessly in pain, he was probably horrified. Whisper. She shook the picture out of her head. Why am I even out here??
When Breeze had quietly padded into Storm's den, whispering into her ear, startling Storm (not like she was getting good sleep anyway) just to give the idea of 'going on a walk', Of course Storm was irritated with the dog. The idea of leaving the dens, even if it wasn't outside of camp, this far into the night not only made storms fur prickle with anxiety. It was crazy. Not only was she opposed to possibly disturbing the dogs sleeping around her, it was dangerous. So she had declined, of course, but Breeze persisted, laying by her side, refusing to move, much to Storms dismay, and kept whispering at her, causing the other dogs in the hunters' den to shuffle around, almost waking up. Breeze claimed that she hated seeing Storm stressed these days, and promised a little break would help. Does it have to be in the dead of night?? Breeze said it was a good time since the pack was all asleep. She was so convincing, that Storm had reluctantly agreed (partially so that Breeze would stop making noise in the den), much to her friend's excitement. Maybe a quick walk wouldn't hurt.
But of course, for Storm, it did hurt. Sneaking to the borders of camp grounds, even though the clearing and borders were more than familiar to the hunter, had made her skin crawl. As they padded out of the den, her friend rushing ahead, stunningly awake, every part of Storms body wanted to sprint back to the darkness of her den, but admittedly, being with Breeze, hearing her chuckle, even if she shushed her quietly, was fun. As the pair silently moved through the camp, it was nice, even if Storms eyes were heavy with exhaustion. But the crisp air made her feel calm, and the cool breeze of the night made her feel refreshed and free. Maybe Breeze was right about the 'clear your head' thing. And plus, this was better then trying get 'sleep', which for Storm had been a mess of nightmares every night, any time she closed her eyes. If not nightmares, or brutal images flashing in her mind, she was racked with anxiety, and refused to close her eyes at all. I’d be waiting duck, just laying there in the den..
Storm wasn't worried about herself of course. She had to be there if the murderer struck again. She was dumbfounded that there was no night shift of dogs to stay awake and protect others. Sure, Storm could defend herself from whatever bad dog tried to strike. Most of the pack was already afraid of her. But her packmates, would they be able to? The concept that a dog, a packmate in the very camp was sleeping next to them, a murderer.. Ready to strike at any time.. It could've been anybody. The idea made Storms heart quicken.
Storm shook herself out of her thoughts, her brown ears flopping around, and stood up, pacing on her paws nerviously. “Breeze, this really isn't a good idea.. We should go back into camp.. Its not safe here. Come on.” she looked around anxiously for signs of other dogs, whining at her friend. Breeze didn't move, she stayed care-free, lying unmoved on the ground. She huffed annoyedly Sensing her discomfort. Breeze rolled her eyes back, sighing drearily. “Come on, storm. I brought you out here to clear your head.” She pouted, and started licking her paw. “Plus, no need to whisper. We’re far from the dens, silly.” “I know, I know..” She cringed, her head dropping down. . "Listen." She sighed, and softened her voice. “You can relax, Storm.” She soothed, but Storm could hear slight irritation in her soft voice. She wanted to believe her friend. But she knew to stay alert every second. Even if it was just her and Breeze. No matter what dogs were with her, or who told her how safe it was, she refused to let her guard down. Not these days. Not with a murderer in my pack.
Oh, Whisper..
Storm once again shook herself out of her intensified thoughts, trying desperately to shove the thought to the back of her mind. That's it. She whispered urgently this time, practically begging her friend. "Come on, Breeze, lets go back now.." She whined, and Breeze eyed her, with slight annoyance in her voice. She spoke sternly this time. “Oh, please, Storm.” And then the softness came back. “Just.. Look at the sky!! It's so beautiful..” She breathed, her head tilted at the stars above. Storm audibly groaned, and reluctantly laid back down, her ears twitching in annoyance, her tail thumping against the dirt.
“Y'know you’re lucky there’s a fierce-dog here to protect you.” She muttered under her breath, half tauntingly. Breeze grinned, her eyes flashing. “Oh, storm.. You’re so funny!” She laughed in that recognizable way, the way that made her Storm feel affection for the dog. Storm sighed, it felt like she joked all the time, but couldn't help but grin at her friend. Breeze. She’d never seen storm as anything but a friend. Even after Whisper. Of course, all her other packmates were suspect of her. After Whisper's body was discovered, Storm didn't expect everyone to be exactly fond of each other, but she never expected that they would turn on her. They'd eye her, stepping, whispering. They were afraid. because of something she was born as. Storm honestly understood it. Even Lucky, who practically raised her. I'm a fierce-dog. Fierce dogs aren’t good dogs. Those beliefs were etched into her mind since she was just a pup, alone with her siblings in the dog-garden. Everyone knew what Storm was. But Breeze didn't care.
Though it made her heart content and full of love for the smaller brown dog, on the inside the logical, on-guard part of her wondered why breeze hadn't ever suspected her. Not once had she avoided her these days.. ..Its because she's a good friend. She’d tell herself. And Breeze would usually say the same when Storm was in a mood, barking confidently that she “had nothing to be afraid of”. It wasn't worrying, but Storm wanted to know why. “Uhm.. Breeze?” Storm woofed quietly, breaking the lingering but comfortable silence between the two. The smaller brown dog turned her head towards Storm. “Hm?”
“I.. I just wanted to ask. Why-why do you trust me?” She whined. Breeze once again rolled her eyes, and chuckled lightly. “Oh, storm.” She shook her head, that phrase was getting repetitive. Storm persisted, repeating herself. “No, seriously- everyone else in the pack, they all suspect me. They're all.. scared.” The words made her throat dry. “But you-you were never afraid of me after we found Whisper. Why..?” She gazed into Breezes eyes, waiting for an answer. Her friends demeanor finally changed from silly to serious at her words. “Storm..” She muttered, shaking her head. “You really do love them. You’re so loyal to them!” Storm felt pride and embarrassment rise up as she hung her head in a thank you. “They just don't deserve you. Really. They don't see you for who you really are.” She spoke in a soothing tone, and she shuffled closer to the fierce dog, and storm drew back slightly. “You don't need to think about how.. 'afraid' they are. They aren't your responsibility. And why should they be?!” She huffed angrily, looking forward into the night.
Storm appreciated the gesture, but of course didn't exactly agree. “They treat you like garbage. And you still protect them. You at least deserve somebody who treats you like an actual packmate. Someone who gives you respect.” She shook her head in a disbelieving manner. The praise from her friend was nice and all (although it didn't change how she felt about herself), but she never really answered her question. “But.. why don't you?” Breeze cocked her head. “Well, you-you're right, Treat me badly, I mean. Or, uh, suspect me?”
Storm blinked and there was a moment of awkward quiet. Then breeze looked at storm as if it was a stupid question. “You- oh, Storm..” She giggled to herself. “Your my friend!! Of course i trust you!!!” That wasn't really a valid answer for storm. She saw Storm's face and smirked, her voice dropped low. “And plus..” she added. “If you were the bad dog, wouldn't you already have killed me?” Storm's jaw dropped a little, but Breeze laughed and rolled over playfully. “Dont.. dont say something like that, Breeze..” She woofed, her eyes wide. Breeze kept laughing, but the joke wasn't exactly hilarious to Storm. It felt insensitive of her. Breeze knew her packmates suspicion wasn't exactly a pleasant topic for Storm. She rolled her eyes slightly, but she apologized, “Oh it's just a joke, storm!!” Hey..” she barked playfully, getting into a fighting stance. She lowered her voice suddenly. "Maybe.."
“Maybe.. I'm the bad dog. Haven’t thought about that, huh??” She smiled, her eyes shining strangely. Although joking about a murderer wasn't especially funny to her, Storm decided to give in for the sake of the joke this time. Because honestly, the mere thought of Breeze being a cold hearted murderer was a joke by itself. No dog in the pack would ever think of the kind lab as a killer. She smirked at the thought. My friend Breeze, a violent, secretive murderer? It was silly.
“Well, I wouldn't worry either way. You're too small to do anything to me.” She huffed tauntingly, eying the smaller dog. Breeze yipped in shock, and for a strange, unsettling moment her eyes sparked with anger, a crazed anger. Something Storm had never seen from her before. It made her heart speed up, and she felt fear spark up in her heart. But before she could think of anything more, Breeze yipped and suddenly pounced onto Storm. “Hey!!” Storm felt some air pushed out of her stomach, the sudden attack sent them both rolling into the grass, and Breeze was standing over her, her tail wagging.
Storm blinked her eyes quickly, trying to understand what was going on. She was panicked, and also surprisingly shocked by the dogs skill in the assault. Is she attacking me? Storm was almost ready to howl for help, but Breeze looked down at her, her tongue lolling from her mouth playfully. "Looks like I'm not too small, am I??" She barked triumphantly. Relief filled Storms body. Storm realized that it was nothing more then mild annoyance she had seen in those eyes before. What had she been thinking? Breeze's eyes were the familiar amber soft glow that she recognized so well. She's my friend.
Storm barked playfully, kicking Breeze off lightly, and chased after her, laughing as she wrestled the small dog. She could feel the anxiety and nervous thoughts leave her body as the two swatted at each other on the dirt playfully. She felt like a pup again. They rolled over the grass, swiping and nipping at each other playfully until they came to a stop, laughing at each other. Breeze yipped particularly loud, and storm shushed her until they were both covering their mouths, laughing quietly in hushed voices. Eventually, they both came to a stop, now laying in a light patch of grass farther from where they’d just been, laughing at each other.
Suddenly Storms laughter trailed off as she came to a realization. “This is stupid..” She muttered, laughing slightly, now suddenly embarrassed at the display of childishness she had just shown. Breeze giggled at her friend, a playful smile still on her muzzle. “I didn't think so.” Breeze gazed at her friend, smiling. Storms heart filled with affection towards her packmate. She turned to stare ahead at nothing in particular. The two dogs laid next to each other like this for a few moments, no sound except their slowing breathing, and the noises from the forest around them.
Suddenly, Breeze shuffled towards and rested her muzzle on Storm's shoulder, sighing into her fur. Though it was a surprising action, the sensation of the closeness to a friend was nice, and Storms practically melted away as she felt the other dogs deep breaths. She nuzzled her friend gently, Breeze looked surprised for a moment, but then smiled. “Don't worry, Storm. We’re gonna be ok.” Breeze softly muttered into her fur, reassuringly. Storm closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, feeling herself relax. At that moment, for once, Storm believed her.
We’re gonna be ok.