Predator and Prey
Disclaimer: I do not own Over the Hedge in any way; DreamWorks owns the movie, and the comic strip characters are the property of Michael Fry and T Lewis. Only the original characters belong to me.
Hello OTH fans. I have grown tired of waiting for someone to update or add a new Over the Hedge story, so I hope my action will be the first domino that makes the others fall. Adding to this, not only has it been a while since I have updated one of my OTH stories, but it's been even longer since I have created a new Over the Hedge story. So if you have been waiting for something more than a mere update, more is now!
Chapter 1: Coming-of-Age Hunt
It's Kale's time. According to the laws/codes of wolf society, a successful hunt here will raise his standing more than three hunts.
Failure on this hunt means disgrace, but the 15-year-old wolf will prove to his 10 peers of the Bone-Chomper Wolf Pack that he has what it takes to be a future pack leader. The fur on Kale and his two older brothers is predominantly light-brown with a thin text-box-shaped regular-brown-colored pattern running down their dorsal side, as well as some regular-brown fur on the top of their heads and the middle section of their faces that goes down to the nose. Dark brown stripes are in the center of the regular brown area, and the pointy end of the text-box pattern stops halfway down the tail, the tip of which is dark brown. Lastly, Kale's eyes are grape, meaning the irises are predominantly light-purple with thin streams of regular-blue mixed in between. His second oldest brother has orchid eyes (mostly dark purple irises with not too thick but not too thin light blue streams), and his oldest brother has thistle eyes (mostly regular-purple irises with thick dark blue streams).
Bone-Chomper Leo: "You ready ta show your worth of bein' a part'a my pack, Track? Ready ta show that you can be betta at somethin' besides tracking?"
The other 10 members of the Bone-Chomper Pack chuckle at their godfather's rhetorical questions, and Kale rolls his eyes while letting out a sigh through his nostrils. Kale's nickname had been mockingly given to him by his older siblings who, even to this day, often teased "Track" by saying, "Our 'lil brother...Not only is he the runt, but he hasn't been good at nothin' except tracking his whole life."
But Kale lets Leo's remarks slide. He doesn't dare offer any resistance, complaint, or offense. He can't. Not with Bone-Chomper Leo in charge.
Like all wolves Bone-Chomper Leo has a "mafia accent," but a stark difference is that his voice is full of regality and prestige; something he has a right to. Kale's pack godfather Leo is the leader of his Bone-Chomper Pack, a veteran of not only many hunts, but a victor of many fights against predators higher on the food chain. He commands great respect among his own pack, and other wolf packs nationwide. Wolves from every corner of the country would line up in droves for the honor of being a part of the famous Bone-Chomper Wolf Pack, but Leo only takes the best of the best. And being the best usually means defeating a cougar, bear, or wolverine—creatures that eat wolves for breakfast. But Leo had to make an exception for Kale, Kale's 20-year-old brother Bone-Chomper Bugsy, and Kale's 23-year-old brother Bone-Chomper Luciano on the account of a family emergency.
Kale's parents, Sniff-Tracker Eddie and Sniff-Tracker Sharnese, had been killed by a mountain lion when he was 10-years-old. The predatory feline would have killed him and his two older siblings as well, had it not been for Bone-Chomper Leo who had shown up and proved his lion-referencing name by defeating the puma. Kale and his brothers lacked any other relatives, and because their parents had intended their Sniff-Tracker Pack to be a family-only wolf pack, that left the boys with no other non-related Sniff-Trackers to take them in. Therefore, Leo, being the three siblings' literal godfather, had them join his pack. Because the title of "godfather" or "godmother" for wolves is usually a ranking equivalent to "leader," rather than having to do with ties of family or friends, that knowledge actually makes it odd for any wolf to be under the wing of a real godfather.
But the former Sniff-Tracker boys couldn't have been a part of a better wolf pack. The Bone-Chomper Pack is composed of Leo, his mate Bone-Chomper Emmy, his 24-year-old daughter Bone-Chomper Gabriella ("Gabby"), as well as the unrelated wolves Bone-Chompers Clyde, Bonnie, Nelson, Capone, and Dillinger. Because all but three wolves come from outside Leo's direct bloodline, each has different coats of fur.
The fur of the surname Bone-Chompers (Leo, Emmy, and Gabby) is the "classic" wolf coloration, the one that a human would see if s/he looks up a picture of a wolf in an encyclopedia or internet image. They have a gray and slightly black dorsal side that becomes lighter gray the closer to the ventral it gets, a black stripe that runs through the middle of their back, tan legs and paws, gray fur around their eyes, and a light gray ventral side. Their tails are colored gray and have a black tip at the end. Leo's eyes are dandelion colored (regular-orange), Emmy's are golden mist (light-orange), and Gabby's are spring colored (mostly yellow irises with thin light-green streams).
As one would expect, Capone, Bonnie, Clyde, Nelson, and Dillinger, along with Kale's two older brothers, earned their names after achieving the same level of infamy via kill-count in the animal world as their historic human mobster namesakes did in the human world. The reason of wolves' awareness of people who died many years ago is that wolves are endowed with greater intelligence than most animals, and their sense of hearing is used for listening in on human gossip, television, or movies. According to human religion and science, because animals walked the earth before humans, it goes without saying that wolves were the original gangsters in the planet's history. That means any human mobsters merely copied what wolves have been doing for eons; for wolves invented gangs. That means it is coincidence at how each of the seven wolves has similar mannerisms to the gangsters of old.
Capone is a master strategist whose hunting leaves behind nothing that can be traced to him or the pack. The majority of his fur, including the whole tail, is colored so light brown that any lighter would make it white. The further into the middle of his dorsal side his fur gets, the more tan-colored it becomes, and his pattern in the center of his back is dark brown and filled-in-V-shaped. His eyes are mocca-colored, or have dark brown irises, and his medium-pitched voice sounds smooth as butter.
Bonnie and her fiancé Clyde had been in love since they were pups and had traveled far and wide to attack prey, all while outsmarting (or defeating) creatures that pursued them. Bonnie's fur is mainly gray, and the roughly sideways-star-shaped pattern on her back, along with the fur all over her head and face, and half of her tail is so dark gray that it almost looks black. Her eyes are frost-colored, the irises being a combination of white and gray. Her voice is quite deep and almost sounds masculine. To top it off, her voice is even-tempered, and always in-charge-sounding—something that her lover Clyde can't get enough of.
Clyde's fur has a black-colored, human-nose-shaped pattern on his back and fur that is so dark brown that it would look black if it is any darker, and he has golden eyes. Dissimilar to his mate-to-be, Clyde's voice is exceptionally nasally, like he is imitating a Mafia accent even though he is speaking his normal way, but he has ended many a creature who doesn't take him seriously. In particular, if anyone looks at Bonnie the wrong way, they'll end up in Clyde's teeth—something that his lover Bonnie can't get enough of.
Dillinger's unsurpassed record in the killing of and robbing food from countless animals—prey and predator alike—earned him charisma like no other. This was odd for a wolf who rarely speaks, but then again, his actions speak louder than his words. That's a good thing because whenever he does speak his voice is raspy and haggard, as if he has a frog in his throat that he doesn't bother to try to clear. Unlike the other wolves, Dillinger's all-black and rectangular dorsal pattern nearly covers his whole body, including his legs and paws. Only the fur on his left and right torso, cheek-tuffs, and ventral side is dark gray. His eyes are scarlet (bright-red), which further enhances the ferocity of his appearance.
Nelson is a bite-happy wolf (as opposed to trigger-happy human) who could instantly turn an everyday walk into a killing spree if something just looks at him the wrong way, or for plain fun. Always looking for an excuse to start a fight, his voice is aggressive, goading, and sounds like he wants to push anyone's buttons. Nelson's fur is the color of desert sand and he has a grayish-brown dorsal pattern shaped like a double-headed wrench, the hook-end of one end cover the left and right eye on his face, and the other end's hooks running down the left and right side of his hindquarters. His tail has a black tip at the very end, and his eyes are colored midnight blue in which the thick dark-blue iris streams almost cover up the light-blue coloration.
All of the ex-Sniff-Tracker brothers have voices that sound like a mix between a Boston and Latino accent. Bugsy's voice is like a medium-pitched guy going "Ah!" before a "Choo!" from sneezing. Being the oldest of the three brothers, Luciano's voice sounds like a know-it-all and someone who knows he's head-honcho. Kale's voice sounds like any teen's: a mix of high and low pitched who tries a little too hard to sound tough. Bugsy always had a knack for being a hitwolf, as well as making prey animals who he blackmailed, or made a legitimate deal with, gamble for their lives, and punishing them if they didn't pay up what they owed the Bone-Chompers. And Luciano had started many a turf war among opposing rival predators, which enabled the Bone-Chomper Pack to be the ones to end the fights, and then claim the spoils of victory.
So the names of those seven wolves are well-deserved. And now it's Kale's turn. If he does this hunt right, no one will ever call him "runt" or "Track" ever again. His pack will respect and revere him, female wolves will want to have pups with him, and prey animals will learn to tremble at the mere mention of his name. Oh, how sweet that would be to prove everyone wrong.
It is because of that hope, borne by a lifetime of being picked on, that makes Kale answer Leo's question (of being able to lead a pack and this prove that he is an adult instead of a pup) unhesitatingly and with pride ringing in his voice.
Kale: " 'Course I am, Godfather Leo. I've been watin' for dis all my life. Follow me!"
After leading them over a widowmaker tree that formed a bridge that crosses over a ravine in a canyon, Bone-Chomper Capone makes an observation that he states aloud.
Bone-Chomper Capone: "Am I dee only one who thinks we's going a longer way than what we's used to?"
Kale refrains from saying something along the lines of "No duh. Have you forgotten how wolf hunts go?", because he wants things to go perfectly. The first step of Kale's hunt had begun a few days ago when he had to pick a hunting path of his own, rather than one that the Bone-Chompers have used in the past in their territory. The Bone-Chompers claimed three miles of land outside of the woods that border the Elysian Fields Estates, as well as about one-eighth of the land within it. If successful, Kale's hunt would gain the Bone-Chomper's three-eighths of those woods, enabling them to acquire prey from an area teeming with various wildlife.
Kale: "We is, Capone. But I chose this path after surveyin' da land to determine that some foxes and at least one bear on the outskirts are dee only real competition in terms of predators. So expansion of our pack's influence'll admittedly take a little longer, but be easy for such an elite group of wolves."
Bone-Chomper Luciano: "Not bad, Track. But ya do know that strategical thinkin' is only da first—and by all means least important—part of a hunt. You's got's ta be ready for anythin' that goes wrong, and have da skills 'n wits ta regain your control of da situation."
Kale: "I can take care of myself, big bro. I'm not a pup anymore."
Bone-Chomper Bugsy: "Don't get ahead of yourself, Track. You'll only no longer be considered a pup after we's had a successful hunt, and not a moment before."
Leo: "He's right, Kale. But less talkin' and more huntin', folks."
The others obey and the pack enters the woods of the Elysian Fields Estates a few minutes later. Once there, they follow Kale's lead by proceeding silently and keeping low to the ground. They aren't concerned about other creatures becoming aware of them by smell because the Bone-Chomper Pack haven't been frequent visitors in these woods, even in the section they have claimed as their own. That way, prey animals don't know the wolves' scent which prevents anything from sounding an alarm.
There is only one big problem with the hunting trail Kale has chosen: every angle the wolves can approach is in the vicinity of an R-shaped section of the woods that, according to Kale's previous observations and listening's, is a neutral playground zone that prey might be able to reach and be safe from the wolves' wrath. It is an area that predators and prey use for the sole purpose of letting their kids have a good time, and to attack someone in it would be most uncivilized. Hard to imagine, yes, but even animals have ethics. And if the wolves did attack prey animals in the neutral zone, then it would make every animal in the forest come after the pack. Not even the Bone-Chompers would be able to succeed in a fight against so many animals, and their defeat would ruin their pack's reputation forever. And where's the glory in that?
But that is also why Kale has chosen for his hunt to go by the woods near the neutral zone, because if the pack can catch prey before it gets to the relatively-close safety, the challenge it provides will raise his standing twice as much than if there was no neutral zone. But he doesn't dwell on that sweet feeling, because with the sound of the first prey animals passing through his ears it is now time for the wolves to switch from "leisurely stroll" to "sneak mode." Kale spreads his legs wide to enable himself to walk forward while remaining as low to the ground as possible, the pack doing the same.
Kale becomes attuned, or one with, his predator-spirit, a state of the mind that flows through him like the human concept of Mushin. In this state, Kale's senses peak at their highest ability, and his breathing and muscle contractions are in perfect synchronization. He doesn't think with his brain, but with his senses; he feels like that "Force" thing from the popular science fiction movie franchise.
He sees the details of everything in front of him: every crinkle and vein in tree leaves, every particle of dirt, every midrib in grass leaves, every curve in insects' exoskeletons, and every hair on the squirrels high up in trees. He hears every cricket chirping, every gust of wind, every swaying plant, and every animal sound. He feels every exhale and inhale of air he does, every ray of sunlight that hits him, every air particle that creates the temperature, and every vibration in the ground created by the wolves' and other animals' footprints. He tastes his own breath as well as everything that he smells. He smells every blade of grass, every tree bark, and every scent of every animal within a three mile radius—well above the normal 1.75 mile maximum smell range of the average wolf, including the rest of the pack. But he is a Bone-Chomper and a former Sniff-Tracker, so his sense of smell is superior to that of most wolves. After all, a wolf relies mostly on smell to locate prey, and there is a good reason why he earned the nickname "Track."
He then fine-tunes his senses in a conscious effort that causes him to focus only on the sight, sounds, touch, taste, and smell of prey animals that are on the ground and along the hunting path he has chosen. The passage of time is no longer in his perception, he is driven solely by his predator spirit. He could have been hunting for a few more seconds or several minutes, it doesn't matter to him. All that matters is finding the first suitable prey.
Suddenly Kale "turns off" his predator spirit, stops moving, and lies flat on the ground, the others following suit. Every wolf knows that this means he sees the first prey animals straight ahead. The one that is facing to the front of the pack talking to the other animal that has its back to the wolves, is a young (most likely nine-year-old) male raccoon.
Kale thinking: "Typical."
And the other is...Well, at first he thinks something is wrong with his eyes because it looks like nothing he's ever seen before. And he knows his prey animals well; everyone in the Bone-Chomper Pack does because they have defeated every kind of animal native in the continental U.S. The (most likely six-year-old) creature that's baffling him is shaped like a possum, but has the bushy ringtail of a raccoon. When it turns to the side to walk with the raccoon, Kale makes out a black raccoon mask around the possum creature's blue eyes, a long possum snout with a pink-colored nose that is shaped like a raccoon nose, along with possum paws and ears.
Kale thinking: "That one's parents sure don't respect the laws of nature."
The realization actually invigorates Kale. Not only would his attack be smiled upon by all creatures for restoring the laws of nature, but by ridding the world of this...thing, he will save it the trouble of the constant ridicule that it undoubtedly receives about its appearance.
Raccoon-possum hybrid: "Wait, do you smell something strange, Richie?"
All of the wolves tense their muscles, ready to pounce if the jig is up.
The raccoon takes a big whiff and says, "Hm, you're right."
Although they are disappointed that the hunt is partially ruined, the older wolves listen in to see where the critters' conversation will go, to see just how ruined the hunt really is before being ordered to attack.
Richie: "But I wouldn't say it's strange, Mary. Just unfamiliar—"
The 10 wolves internally sigh in relief at how, as the raccoon speaks, the prey animals are turning in a way that denotes they will brush aside the strange scent and carry on with whatever they are doing, which means the wolves' cover is intact.
Then, a sharp and brittle Snap! fills the air that causes full-carnivores and omnivores to turn their heads in the direction of the noise. Located behind a thicket of tall grass, and therefore concealed from the naked eye, a stick on the ground has been broken in two by Kale.
Unlike his pack, he had silently panicked when the raccoon confirmed the other's observation of the wolves' scent (even though the little kit didn't know it was wolves), and the teen wolf decided to move closer instead of staying put to listen in on the conversation of the prey. The other wolves had been too focused on eavesdropping to notice Kale walking forward, but they grimace and surprisingly keep themselves from groaning at the younger wolf's blunder, not to mention at their inability to stop him from doing something rash.
Kale already plans to explain his actions when the time comes; that he had moved forward because he wanted everything to go perfectly. But he has now jeopardized his own hunt. However, Kale also remembers what his brother Luciano said to him about how true skill is measured by one's abilities when things go wrong—like right now.
Mary (nervous): "Let's head back to the playground where it's safe."
Richie (ditto): "Y-yeah. I think you're right." (Raising his voice and facing behind him) "Hey guys, hide-and-seek is over. We need to go back to the playground. No joke."
A young male skunk with a brush-top hair style walks in from behind a bush and says in an indignant tone, "Really, Richie?" (Rhetorical) "Why you gotta spoil our fun?" (Snidely and with a big smile on his face) "It's 'cuz you know you can't beat me, isn't it?"
Mary: "No Ladarius. Something's wrong and we need to leave."
Ladarius is about to object, but then his father Jordan and stepmother Ahniyah come running in on all fours from somewhere deeper in the woods. Jordan is a striped skunk who looks just like his son, but has brown eyes instead of green. Ahniyah is a blue-eyed skunk whose white head-fur curves down the back of her neck and stops at her shoulders.
Jordan: "We need to leave kids."
A middle-aged American red squirrel zooms in from somewhere to the side, its speed causing the wolves to raise an eyebrow in confusion but also admiration. The older wolves were starting to doubt not only Kale's sneaking skills, but also the adolescent wolf's choice of prey given the location of the hunt. Although this hunt is more about territory than defeating adversaries—meaning easy-prey is better than difficult-prey—all wolf society stipulates that the more challenging the prey, the better a pack's standing will become. This will give the Bone-Chomper's an advantage when they officially claim their new territory as their own, an act that naturally draws other wolf packs and other predators to contend for the area. A skunk is a challenge for any predator to take down, and killing a squirrel that fast will be a huge accomplishment for the pack. The defeat of both the mustelid and rodent will serve as great ammo to insinuate that the territory they gain should belong to the Bone-Chompers. Perhaps Kale knows how to plan a good hunt after all. Then again, he needs to learn patience as well.
In any case, the predators listen in when the squirrel speaks. His words are so fast that it's difficult for the wolves to understand him, but they can make out enough.
Hammy: "Aw, but the hiding places there aren't nearly as good as they are out here!"
Jordan (looks at Ladarius but speaks loud so everyone else can hear him): "You're stepmom and I picked up the scent of some unfriendly animals."
Ladarius can tell from the look in his father's eyes, the concern and paranoid wariness, that this is serious. The skunk kit's smile vanishes and his cocky demeanor is replaced by fear. He feels even more afraid when he picks up the scent that his parents told him about. The fear is present in the other friends who come out from their hiding spots and include an eight-year-old male duck named Jeff, a nine-year-old male raccoon named Ty(ler), a 10-year-old female beaver named Brooke, a 12-year-old male box turtle named Plushie, and a nine-year-old male flying squirrel named Mark. Kale and the other wolves relish the fear that they have created in the atmosphere. All wolves need to be intimidating in their appearances and actions, but the Bone-Chompers' pride surges in the fact that their mere and hidden presence induces the same fear normally felt when other creatures see the carnivores.
It also makes Kale get ready to strike once all the prey animals are distracted, because fear negatively impacts one's actions when the need to make smart decisions is dire.
Ahniyah: "Run back. We'll follow behind the rest of you and ward off anything that comes our way. Get goin'!"
Hammy and the kids nod and take one second to look at their surroundings, their fear-dilated eyes wandering to look for the slightest movement—one second too long.
A deep voice yells "Now!" and a wolf emerges from some tall grass near the group of younger animals. Other wolves start running from in front of the adult skunks, but none of them have any idea who they are dealing with.
Jordan and his second mate Ahniyah had each grown up in an area with lots of predators and domestic violence within their own families. Their parents taught them how to fight others and to defend themselves at a young age, and that training stuck with the two long after they had moved to better places to raise their own families. Some cowardly foxes, frustrated with their failed attempts to individually take down Jordan's family, formed a temporary pack that enabled the predators to kill both of Jordan's parents and three out of his five siblings. A similar thing happened to Ahniyah's parents and two younger sisters, except with three fishers (large predatory mustelids sometimes called the "little brother species" of wolverines) instead of foxes. She had grown up with her aunt, uncle and her cousins, and Jordan had to grow up among his other siblings and grandparents. Their rough childhoods had made them want to avoid being mates with a skunk who would create more intense inner-family confrontations, for the sake of their kids. That's why Jordan divorced his first mate, and why Ahniyah didn't marry another skunk until she met Jordan whose similar background made them start off on the right foot and develop chemistry. Their childhoods also made each of them desire vengeance against any predator that threatened them or their families.
Like now with a pack of wolves. Rather than feeling panic, the two adult skunks, whose lives were shaped by fighting, think things through clearly. They don't let their surprise—not fear, because they have been through a lot worse than this—make them do anything rash. There are two of them and a total of 11 wolves attacking at two different directions. Ahniyah raises her tail toward Kale, and Jordan raises his at the rest of the Bone-Chompers. The skunks have fought wolves before, and know that those creatures have an uncontrollable desire to make wisecracks or injure prey so as to play with them before going for the coup de grâce.
But the Bone-Chompers are different. They don't fool around, and get results instead. Jordan and Anniyah seem to figure this out when the wolves don't make any snide comments and start to change directions upon seeing the skunk tails raising at them, but the predators can't react fast enough. All they can do is gasp and close their eyes in preparation for the worst.
The most important lesson the skunks' parents had taught them about fighting was for the first attack to be the deadliest, to injure an attacker so much that they are either dead or too incapacitated to do anything. Since skunks lack the claws, teeth, and strength to do any real damage to wolves, the mustelids do the next best thing.
FOOOM!
When the skunks "let 'er rip" they each create a cloud of foul-smelling gas the size of what Stella did when inside Gladys Sharp's house at the El Rancho Camelot Estates.
Satisfied that their efforts have stopped the threat, or will buy everyone some valuable time at the least, they run away to go catch up with the younger ones. However, the wolves are immediately hot on their heels, causing the skunks to sprint.
The Bone-Chompers have also dealt with skunks in the past, and when they had gasped they were actually taking a breath that they held when the gas cloud hit them, which stops them from inhaling any of the gagging stench. Furthermore, by closing their eyes the carnivores prevent eye irritation or temporary blindness. The wolves had also quickly memorized the direction where the smaller animals had run off to before being gassed, and use their memory to navigate out of the cloud. In addition, the wolves' past experiences with skunks makes them well aware that skunks require about 10 days to produce more of their spray-gas, which leaves Jordan and Ahniyah "out of ammo."
And most of all, the wolves are knowledgeable about how long it will take for the stench on their bodies to wear off. Which makes them very, very angry.
Bonnie (looking at Jordan and Ahniyah): "We's gonna make dose stinkers pay!"
Clyde: "You said it, lover!"
Remembering he has to make all the leadership decisions, Kale looks at the adult skunks and then at the fleeing kids in the distance.
Kale: "No, go after da kids. Make da skunks see their efforts fail!"
Emmy (in a medium-pitched and almost nasally-free voice): "Atta boy, Track! You's all heard him, folks, let's do it!"
Jordan and Ahniyah overhear the loud-mouth carnivores—again, wolves' ego makes them pretty predictable—and try to bite and claw them when they run alongside the mustelids. Alas, the wolves are stronger and brush the smaller mammals off like flies by simply giving a hard nudge that makes the adult skunks fall and roll onto the ground.
Jordan (cupping his paws around his mouth to project his already loud-speaking voice): "Hustle kids! Run as fast as you can!"
A sneer forms along the Bone-Chompers' muzzles. They figure that the kids are peeing themselves in fear about now, and will be so scared that they'll go all "deer in headlights" and not move. They discover that they are partially correct upon seeing the raccoon-possum hybrid lying flat on the ground 60 feet up ahead while the flying squirrel is crouching beside her in a frenzied effort to wake her up.
Mark (while shaking her): "C'mon Mary! This isn't the time to play possum! We gotta move! Hurry! Get up!"
After looking back and seeing the wolves getting closer, he looks back down at Mary and tries harder.
Mark: "Mary, please! They're almost here! I swear that I'll leave you if you don't get up in five seconds!"
Unfortunately, anything the rodent says will only make Mary more afraid, and therefore more likely to keep playing possum. And thanks to the squirrel's loud mouth, the wolves know that the hybrid isn't really dead, and will eat her regardless. Not to mention the wolves are curious to see if the squirrel will actually be cold-hearted enough to leave his friend for dead.
Bugsy thinking (in eager excitement): "Wouldn't that be somethin'?"
Kale: "Bro's, you's two stay 'n eat da possum and squirrel. The rest of us'll go after the other prey."
Luciano: "No way, Track, we wants ta be in on da fun."
Kale (with iron in his voice): "Dis is my hunt, bro. You's either follow my lead, or find another pack."
Bugsy and Luciano glare at their younger brother's attitude, but silently commend his sternness which is important for a leader. They still want to object, but Nelson sets the record straight.
Nelson: "Looks who's grown up a notch..." (To Bugsy and Luciano) "He's right boys. Listen to 'im dis time."
By the time he and the other two refocus on the prey that is six feet away, there's a loud Crack!, and then all the wolves are pinned to the ground by a tree that falls on top of them. The tree is thin and small, but has countless branches and leaves that makes it heavy. The wolves discover the reason for the falling tree when Leo says, "Dose 'lil twerps!", followed by the sound of footprints coming from ahead of them, and a few voices saying "Go!" For Leo sees the hedgie kids emerge from the tree line located to the wolf's left—at the exact spot where the tree had once been standing.
The children had been planning this longer than the wolves thought. Upon hearing the distance from which Jordan's voice had come when the wolves had shoved him and his mate aside, all of the kids became nervous since that meant the wolves were ahead of the adult skunks. Surprisingly, however, they had stopped running after going 60 feet when they noticed a small tree with lots of thick branches and leaves located off to the side of the main path they were traveling on. The tree was leaning and had a small crack near the base, both of which had been caused by strong winds from the past. Richie and Tyler, using their raccoon intellect, convinced the others to knock down the tree in order to temporarily block the wolves, something made all the easier thanks to Brooke's beaver teeth. Remembering his "cousin's" dramatic talent, Ty had told Mary to play possum out in the open and in front of where the tree would fall, while Mark pretended to frantically make her get up and run.
The ruse works, and it takes the wolves a full minute to free themselves, by which time the kids have put a lot of distance between themselves and the predators. Also by that time, the pack is angrier than ever, and the adrenaline pumping through their veins works overtime to give them extra strength that they use to run faster than usual.
Kale: "Screw strategy! Target whoever you want and get 'em; first come first serve!"
The others are fully dedicated to carrying out Kale's order before he even gives it, because after the setback they just went through it is mere logic as to what should be done to ensure the hunt succeeds. Still, there are quite literally some sore losers among the predators.
Gabby (medium-pitched and snobby voice): "You shoulda had some of us try ta find the oth'a critters, Track! Instead of just focusin' on the two in plain sight!"
Emmy: "Darn straight!"
Dillinger withholds comment, but gives Kale a flash of angry eyes while growling softly, which clearly gets his thoughts across to the young wolf.
Capone: "We smelled 'em nearby, but were waitin' for your order as we should on dis hunt!"
Gabby and Capone are indeed correct. It is a common part in wolf society on coming-of-age-hunts. Because this is Kale's first hunt as a pack leader, he has to have the knowledge and common sense to make all the observations of the surroundings and give orders accordingly. The other wolves won't move unless he says so, and won't divert from their path unless he says so, even when they notice something or want to do something that Kale doesn't. Knowing this, Kale does the first thing that comes to his mind.
Kale (stammering): "L-look guys, I's sorry—"
He stops his words when he realizes that apologizing is the last thing a real wolf should do in a situation like this. What's happening is that his team is having motivation issues and blaming him, so he has to get them back on his side. The authoritative tone in his voice returns when he speaks again, as does his strength of will.
Kale: "But we's got betta things ta do besides whinin' like a bunch'a pups. We's Bone-Chompers, we can win!"
Again the wolves are impressed with Kale's ability to regain control, and the three who had ranted (and the one who glared and growled) were merely testing the younger one to ensure he didn't break under the pressure. Their heads get back into the game, all for one and one for all.
At this point the kids are 70 yards ahead of the wolves and about 100 yards away from reaching the neutral zone. When they look back to check on the pursuers 10 seconds later, their heart's jump into their throats as they discover, to their horror, that the wolves are only 30 yards away and closing. They apparently underestimated the audacity of the Bone-Chomper Pack, and now realize that their efforts to slow the predators down has the same effect as stirring up a hornet nest—full of wolves.
Being a slow turtle, Plushie is a good distance behind the rest. He doesn't want to stop and curl into his shell because he knows that the wolves' long muzzles will enable them to pick him off if he tries that. Needing to move faster than a box turtle is capable of, he calls out to the strongest animal in the bunch.
Plushie: "Gimme a lift, Brooke!"
Brooke: "Get on my back!"
She slows down, lets Plushie jump onto her back, and the amphibious duo takes off just in time to avoid the Crack! coming from Leo's snapping mouth. Since he had stopped running in order to devote more energy to making a strong, bone-breaking bite (hence his pack's surname), Brooke and Plushie have a little extra time to get ahead of the wolf as he has to build up speed. Then the two kids see something that makes them feel safer already: a creek located to their right. They smile upon recollecting that the small body of water is an offshoot that will lead straight into the larger creek found inside the neutral zone. That means they'll be safe from the wolves as soon as they jump in the water. Brooke and Plushie are very fast swimmers so they will lose the predators in no time.
Brooke immediately heads toward the creek and Plushie looks back again to check on the wolf—
Plushie (screaming): "JUMP NOW!"
Brooke squats, leaps off the ground, and orients her body in midair to be in a dive position. The instant they hit the water, Brooke's tail is suddenly bitten by Leo who keeps his teeth locked there as he follows them into the drink. While submerged the wolf yanks her toward him which causes Plushie to lose his grip on her back and to jut forward. In that moment, Plushie has two choices: the young box turtle can easily swim away to save himself, but his aunt's and uncle's family that he joined two years ago has ensured that he is not the kind of kid to leave behind a friend in need, meaning the second choice is the only option for him. He and Brooke have gotten to be great friends who spent many a fun time playing in the water, which is something most of her friends can't do for extended periods of time. The two of them, along with Brooke's otter and other beaver friend would race, play underwater tag, compete against each other in Olympic-style diving competitions, and go underwater exploring together. Plushie doesn't want that to go away, Brooke's too fun to lose. She was also the ring leader of that small amphibious animal group, the one who made all the plans and led the way, so things wouldn't be the same without her.
Moreover, Brooke and her friend Richie had begun to gradually become nicer and more accepting of Mary's and her brother, Bernard's, existence as raccoon-possum hybrids ever since the beaver and raccoon finished their punishment of being grounded for three weeks for unintentionally almost killing a girl shrew named Tabitha. The shrew had been trying to defend Mary and Bernard who were getting beat up by the mean raccoon and beaver, when Brooke shoved the small mammal into a creek that led to a waterfall with sharp rocks at the bottom. Although Brooke tried her best to reach Tabitha in time, it was Mary and Bernard who saved the shrew. Because Brooke's prejudice nearly cost Tabitha's life, and the beaver wasn't the one to fix her own mistake, her parents had told her that the next best thing would be for their daughter to clean up her act. Maybe then Tabitha would be willing to be Brooke's and Richie's friend again, which was someone the shrew had stopped being ever since the so-called "Waterfall Incident," and despite the beaver's and raccoon's attempts to make amends, much to the two's disappointment.
In the short time Plushie reflected upon all of this, he also gets the idea of what he can try to do to save her...and he is well aware of how it will be a try. He cannot be inside the safety of his shell in order to help his friend, and he has never gone face-to-face against a wolf before. So he is very afraid, but he offsets the feeling by imagining he is with his late mother Kimberly—Verne's sister who died from a mechanical malfunction when the Depelter Turbo 4000 was being tested at Verm-Tech—going on one of her adventures. Plushie gathers up his courage, turns around, and immediately swims toward Leo like a torpedo doing Mach 1.
The wolf has tightened his jaws on Brooke's tail and is preparing to finish her with a cut from his sharp claws when Leo is hit in the face, right where the nose meets the gap between his two eyes, by Pluhsie who tucks his head into his shell at the last second to ensure a hard impact. In a twist of fate that turns the wolf's greatest strength into a weakness, Leo's grip on Brooke's tail, coupled with the beaver's weight, prevents him from jerking his head upward to send the turtle over him. Not to mention that he has exhaled a good deal of air as a result of the turtle's blow, but Leo still has enough oxygen to maintain his hold on Brooke until he ends her life. The predator closes his eyes to prevent the turtle from using its own long claws to scratch the sight organs, and brings his left forepaw out to swat Plushie away. The water resistance lessens the power of the wolf's blow, but Plushie nearly loses his grip on him nonetheless. The brave reptile quickly grabs a hold of the back of Leo's lip with his right hand, uses the lips to pull himself further down the predator's muzzle, holds onto the lips using his left hand, and reorients himself so that he is scratching and pinching the wolf's nose.
Leo has refrained from shaking his head side-to-side because that would risk him losing his hold of the beaver, whereby the turtle could then simply let go, and both prey would be out of his reach. However, with his most sensitive (and hunting-pertinent) external organ under attack, Leo loses more oxygen from grunt exhalations. He has no choice but to surface in order to take a breath, a smooth process thanks to his superior leg strength. But just when Leo is five inches away from breaching the surface, Plushie sticks his pointer finger into the canine's left nostril and furiously moves his claw around. The turtle's actions causes a nosebleed and forces Leo to sneeze as soon as the wolf gets his head above the water, his reflexively opened mouth enabling Brooke to finally get free and swim hard.
Although her tail is bleeding and has several bite marks, a few of which have punched teeth-sized holes through the entire tail, Brooke's speed is barely hindered. Her adrenaline enables her to ignore the pain and makes her flap her tail harder than ever before, which makes up for the flyswatter-like holes that somewhat decrease her tail's water resistance, what with the current passing through the holes in her oar-like tail.
Plushie also lets go immediately after breaching, and doesn't pause for a second when he is back in the water. That move saves his life, because Leo has already taken a quick breath and puts his head back under to get a hold of the turtle. Thankfully his jaws snap down on nothing except water. Leo is a great swimmer, but he quickly realizes that he won't be able to catch up to the prey. So he decides to get back to the shore and continue the hunt on land, but not before making a silent vow.
Leo thinking: "Next time, mildew-covered turtle and bark-eating beaver...Next time."
After Brooke and Plushie separated from the main group, Ty, Mary, Richie, Ladarius, and Jeff have to think of a way to cover 65 more yards with the wolves gaining on them. They stick to the flat ground and avoid going into the tree lines on the far left and right because traveling there would make them have to slow down to accommodate the ground full of pine straw, sticks, and whatever rocks or various terrain under the foliage layer. The wolves on the other hand have longer legs and wouldn't be hindered. As if that isn't difficult enough, Jeff is only a juvenile duck who can't fly yet. Because of this, and because ducks are slower runners, the bird can only leap and hover forward for brief moments, making him appear like he's jumping on the moon to the wolf onlookers. Similar to Plushie: Ty, Mary, and Richie could have saved themselves by climbing up any of the numerous trees, but that would doom Ladarius who can't climb, and Jeff who hasn't found a tree branch low enough for him to scale higher to get out of the wolves' reach.
The Bone-Chomper Pack actually feels a small degree of admiration to the young climbers' bravery and loyalty to their friends; it's like the prey are a wolf pack themselves. Of course, it is a stupid pack because the climbers should have made for the trees a long time ago. But Kale is more than grateful of this, because his hunt would be a small victory if the pack only landed them a skunk and duckling while the more intelligent and capable prey got away scot-free. Sadly that is the case for the two squirrels who had used their speed to quickly outpace their fellow critters and the wolves shortly after the tree fell on the latter. So Kale's hunt already has some points knocked off of it, and he will have to make up for the lack of defeating speedy prey.
But little do the predators know that Mark and Hammy have used their squirrel-speed to elude the other Bone Chompers by climbing into the tree tops. Of course, Mark's running speed isn't even close to living up to Hammy's, and Hammy had climbed a tree long before the flying squirrel. Even so, Mark had made his way forward until he now meets up with Hammy who has been making his way backwards. When Hammy had been 30 feet away from the playground, the American red squirrel realized that he had outran his family and friends who might need him to distract the wolves with his speed.
Now in the present, and being the younger among the two, Mark looks at Hammy for guidance.
Mark: "What do we do now?"
Hammy doesn't seem to hear Mark, as the older squirrel continues to turn his head from one direction to the other like a chicken as he tries to get a view of the ground below.
Mark: "Mr. Hammy?!"
Hammy (jumps from terror as if Mark suddenly appeared out of thin air): Ah! What?"
Mark: "I said, what do we do now?"
Hammy: "I-I...I-I-I, don't know.
Mark: "But you're a grown-up. You're supposed to know."
Hammy: "I'm not like most grown-ups. I also need other grown-ups because I don't think things through, I just do things."
Mark sighs as he finds out for the first time that age doesn't automatically make a guy smarter.
Mark: "Why aren't you heading to the playground where it's safe?"
Hammy (talking fast without pausing): "I was going to look for any of our friends and see if I can help them out. If something bad happens to them, I'll be in big, big trouble for not doing anything!"
Mark (scoffs): "You call yourself a grown-up?! You sound like me, like a little kid who's afraid of getting spanked by his parents!"
Hammy: "I told you I'm not like most grown-ups."
Mark (dryly): "Yeah, I can see."
Hammy ignores the younger squirrel's bratty attitude, and keeps looking for the others when—and if—they come by below.
With nothing better to do, Mark starts heading to the playground to be safe. He gets past three trees when he hears Hammy exclaim, "Oh! Here they come!" The flying squirrel turns around and looks for his friends, but can't see any because of the branches in his way.
Mark (while moving to get a better view and raising voice): "Are they all there?"
Hammy: "Yuh-huh, but the wolves are closing in."
Mark can see the ground clearly now and gasps upon confirming Hammy's latter observation.
Mark: "They'll never make it!"
Hammy: "I'm going to help them."
Mark: "How?"
Hammy: "By distracting the wolves."
Mark: "Don't be crazy, you'll be killed!"
Hammy: "So will your friends if I don't do something!"
Mark can't tell if Hammy is being brave, or just plain looney. A squirrel going toe-to-toe with a wolf? That's unheard of. Not even any of the cartoons that the flying squirrel has watched have done that because it would never happen—because it can't happen! And then it doesn't matter, because after a Whoosh!, the American red squirrel climbs down the tree trunk and is on the ground before Mark can try to talk him out of it some more.
This leaves the flying squirrel left all alone to ponder. He doesn't know if he should help out or not. He definitely doesn't want to die, but also fears his friends will think he's a coward if he doesn't help out. Too afraid and too conflicted to move, all he can do is watch...and pray.
On the ground, the Bone-Chompers are so close to the prey that the predators can taste the critters when they inhale to breathe; and Mary, Ty, Richie, Ladarius, and Jeff can feel the heat of the wolves' breath on their backs whenever the canines exhale. Even Ladarius—a skunk—thinks the smell is horrid: the rancid stench of various animals still being digested deep in the predators' gullets almost causes him and his friends to slow down in order to gag. But the young animals' fear and adrenaline prevents that. Ladarius also can't use his own skunk spray because that would require him to slow down, which is the last thing he should do right now. However, even continuing to run isn't putting the young hedgies any further away from the wolves who keep gaining.
Kale can practically hear the congratulations he will receive from the pack even before anyone in it prepares to bring their heads forward to bite. That moment will come to pass in no longer than six seconds. That's six more seconds he will have to endure of being the subject of joke and ridicule. But when that six seconds is up, they'll finally stop calling him "Track," stop calling him a pup or a kid, and start treating him with respect. They'll have to accept whatever new name he earns this day.
Then, as luck would have it, the kids run over a 10 foot patch of dirt at the exact moment Hammy comes zooming on the ground. The wolves keep running forward, but divert their eyes to the blur of motion that is Hammy. The squirrel yells something that comes out of his mouth at the same speed his feet are moving, requiring any creature unfamiliar with Hammy a little time to process the words. By the time the Bone-Chompers piece together that Hammy has said "Close your eyes and hold your breath, kids!" it's too late.
The predator's eyes are suddenly burning, and they enter coughing fits as Hammy runs in a circle to create a miniature dirt-tornado. Bonnie reels her head to the right and hits Clyde in the left foreleg shoulder, which causes him to lose balance and fall flat on the ground. Hitting him also makes Bonnie lose her own balance and then she falls to the ground near him, proving that even in the middle of mishaps they are true partners after all. Emmy plants her legs on the ground to make herself suddenly stop, causing Capone to run hard into her from behind, and Nelson to run hard into him, resulting in a literal three-wolf dogpile. Still blinded and immediately desiring fresh air to inhale so he can simply stop coughing, Bugsy runs faster—straight into a tree on the right of the main path, hitting his head hard and almost causing him to pass out. In any case, he'll need a few minutes before he's ready to continue the hunt.
Because they are at the back of the group, Dillinger and Luciano wisely stop and run backwards to escape the whirlwind of dirt. It takes seven seconds for their lungs and eyes to clear, and they put their forelegs in front of them at the exact point where the dirt-tornado meets the clean air. Hammy trips then skids forward on the smooth grass, the two wolves following close behind.
The predators are deadly-steamed at how their pack has been crippled by a squirrel of all things. It would be alright if it was a bear or another top predator that reduced the Bone-Chompers to a weak group of asthma-coughers, but a tree-gerbil?! Unacceptable! There is only one way to rebound from this humiliation: kill the red-furred rat. It's partly Kale's fault for not ordering them to travel through the tree lines to effectively encircle the fleeing prey, but they'll deal with that after eating the squirrel.
Speaking of which, even with Hammy's reflexes and speed, he can't get himself off the ground in time to flee up a nearby tree. The two wolves are already too close, and will not toy around or make any wisecracks; only quick retribution is needed. Dillinger gets in front of Hammy and Luciano gets behind Hammy, each wolf intending to rip the squirrel in half. Just when they open their tooth-filled muzzles, Dillinger yells in pain and surprise as Mark comes flying into the canine's face and pokes him in both eyes. Luciano dashes forward to attack the flying squirrel, who jumps over his head at the last second, causing the wolf to bite Dillinger in the face. Luciano immediately lets go, but the damage has been done as Dillinger screams louder. Luciano ignores Mark as the squirrel crawls down his back and instead addresses his friend who he just hurt.
Luciano (frantically): "Oops! I'm sorry, Dill!"
Dillinger: "Get the squirrels!"
The strain to raise his barely-used voice into a yell makes Dillinger's words come out in a hack, but he focuses on the more prominent pain. While Dillinger rubs his face to soothe the teeth marks, Luciano looks down where the red squirrel had been, only to see nothing there, as Hammy has already climbed to safety. He turns around to face the flying squirrel, but the rodent is already climbing another tree. Mark is at the tree base, but by the time Luciano gets there, Mark is too high for the wolf to pursue.
With nothing better to do, and with a lot of anger he has to vent out in order to feel like himself again, Luciano looks up at the flying squirrel, looking him square in the eyes.
Luciano (yelling in rage): "You coward! You've just become número uno on my hit-list! You's ain't gonna live to puberty now! I'll find ya and get you and ya whole family!"
The wolf bites the tree and rips off some bark that he spits out in a fit of anger. He then goes to continue the pursuit of the rest of the prey animals.
In the branches above, Mark has been looking down at the wolf as he spoke, and feels immediate regret for his actions. But in the next second he feels two arms wrap around him and pull him in for a hug.
Hammy: "You save my life, Mark! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, THAAAAAANNNK YOOOOOOOUUUUU!"
Mark (strained voice from Hammy's squeezing): "You're welcome, Hammy. *Wheeze* Give me some air!"
Mark takes a deep breath when Hammy lets go, and the two squirrels start making their way back to the neutral zone using the trees above. When they are halfway there, a thought pops into the American red squirrel's head and he asks a question.
Hammy: "How did you do that, huh?! Tell me! Tell me!"
Mark: "I just glided down and made sure to land on the wolf's face."
Hammy: "No, I meant, what made you do that?"
It takes Mark a few seconds to think about what Hammy is trying to say. Just when he's about to ask the older squirrel to clarify some more, Mark understands Hammy's question. The red squirrel wants to know where Mark had found the courage to come to his rescue.
Mark: "Oh! Well, I saw how you just jumped down and started helping the others without a moment's thought—"
Hammy (winks): "I told you I just do things before thinking."
Mark: "Yeah, I remember. But after seeing you trip, I just...imagined I was Batman—the character I am whenever Richie and the others wanna pretend-play the 'Protectors of Peace'—and I wasn't afraid of the wolves anymore."
Hammy (in comprehension): "Ohhhhhhh." (Smiles) "Oh, oh, OH! Since you pretend to be Batman, how about I pretend to be Robin?! Or no, The Flash?! That'd be really, really fun!"
Mark smiles at the excellent idea which reminds him that Hammy isn't as dumb as he seems, that there is a working brain somewhere in the squirrel's skull. But before he can accept the cool proposal, a yell from below causes both squirrels to look down. The sight makes Hammy show his rare, yet always profound, serious-face. Mark is more surprised at Hammy's down-to-business tone when the latter squirrel speaks than he is with the...disturbing things happening below.
Hammy: "Don't look at it, Mark. Climb on my back and hold tight, I'm taking you home right now."
Mark obeys and the two squirrels flee from the scene.
A few moments after Hammy and Mark began their conversation above
Kale is at the front of the wolf pack and clears the dirt cloud first, but he still has to stop until his eyes and lungs stop irritating him. He had no way of predicting that the super-fast squirrel would return, and might have turned around to deal with the rodent if it isn't for the sight of the prey animals that are 30 yards away from the neutral zone and getting further away. He runs after them, determined to get some kind of gain from this hunt of his that has gone horribly awry. He clears 20 yards in five seconds when his eyes look slightly to the left, and he notices Bone-Chomper Gabby up ahead. She had also been at the front of the wolf pack when the dust whirlwind happened, and recovered much quicker than Kale. Judging from her feet motion and increasing running speed, Kale deduces that she is going to try to head off the prey before it gets to the neutral playground zone. He should feel relieved that Gabby is on top of things, but Kale's eyes widen in fear instead.
He can't let that happen, it will cheapen his glory. He needs to be the one who prevents the prey from escaping, rather than the one who flanks them from behind. A personal grudge he has against Gabby also plays a role in Kale's decision. Being the daughter of Godfather Leo, Gabby is spoiled by both of her parents. She always got everything she ever asked of them: food, hunting tips, and the honor to lead easy hunts while still getting great prestige from succeeding, which she bragged her mouth off about to everyone in the Bone-Chomper Pack. She may be content with her place in the pack, but Kale is not. He and his brothers had to work their way to the top and earn their rights to privileges the hard way. And now, Gabby will have twice as much of what she normally gains if she saves Kale's hunt from failing, and Kale will be treated the same way as before, or probably even worse than things already are for him.
To stop that from happening he runs fast, gets alongside Gabby, and shoves her to the left side, causing her to fall to the ground and roll down a hill. Before she can blurt out a curse, Kale responds, "You can't snatch victory for ya'self, spoiled brat! This day is mine!"
From that moment on, Kale runs after the two raccoons, the duck, the skunk, and the raccoon-possum hybrid and keeps his eyes locked onto them. He is dead-set on getting them, and nothing else in the universe matters to him except that. He ignores the voice in his head to check and see if Gabby isn't hurt, ignores any other animals that he can easily get instead, and ignores the cries of his pack from behind to slow down.
It turns out that he should not have ignored his surroundings.
There is a loud C-CLANK!, followed by an awful pain coming from his hind legs, and then he is tumbling head over heels in a roll with the same g-force of a human jumping out of a car going well over a freeway speed limit. He flails, having no control over his body's momentum, and when he exits the roll he makes a skid mark in the ground for five feet. Now stopped, he looks back and discovers that each of his hind legs have been caught in a fox trap, the latter looking and functioning similar to a bear trap minus the spikes and being much smaller in size. He tries to move his injured limbs only to yell in pain and in horrible realization that the legs are broken.
That's when the real screaming starts.
Kale doesn't know how long he spends groaning and yelling "Ow!", but he stops when he hears a familiar voice say "Ahem," which causes him to look up. He smiles in relief at the sight of his pack gathered around him, and doesn't hesitate to speak.
Kale: "Oh, thank goodness that you've all come. Get me outta deese traps!"
Leo: "What happened to ya?"
Kale opens his mouth to respond, but Gabby wobbles in front of her father and talks before the young wolf can.
Gabby: "I'll tell ya what, papa. I was about ta ice da prey when this loser shoved me out of the way while claimin', " (imitating Kale's voice) " 'Dis day is mi—ine.' " (normal voice tone) "I rolled down a hill and sprained my left hind ankle hard against a rock at da bottom." (Glaring at Kale) "Tanks ta dis loser, I won't be able ta hunt 'til I feel betta!"
Kale is mortified by his actions, and didn't intend for things to go that bad for her. He's more ashamed by the angry looks that the others give him after they heard Gabby, so Kale really has to talk honestly and apologetically to avoid a serious beat-down.
Kale: "I-I'm sorry, Gabby. I really am. I didn't want that ta happen to ya, honestly. I just wanted ta I get the kill so bad. It was da only way all of you'd stop treatin' me like a pup. I was bein' stupid and shouldn't've done that. "
Leo (coldly): "No. Ya shouldn't. And ya know why? 'Cuz a real pack leader puts all selfish desires away and does what's best for da pack, not what's best for his or herself. This hunt wasn't 'bout getting kills, ya glory-hound, it was about leadership."
True to her jerky nature, Gabby thinks it's the perfect time to curry more favor from the pack at Kale's expense, to make him further understand how bad he messed up.
Gabby: "Speakin' of which, did I mention dat he called me a spoiled brat and accused me of tryin' to snatch the victory for myself?"
Emmy (incredulously and while going from looking at her daughter to staring at Kale): "He did not!"
Gabby (turns to Emmy): "You's heard me, mom." (Looks at Kale) "And yeah, I tend to brag a lot, but all my actions are for the glory of da pack."
Leo: "Which brings me to my next point. You demonstrated yourself to be unworthy of commandin' a pack. Not just for your incompetence of keeping you's wits about your surroundings, but also for lettin' you's childish desires cost us a meal, and my daughter's ankle...Not to mention territory. And deeper still: our pack's reputation."
Kale lowers his head in shame because everything his godfather has said, both before and after his daughter and mate butted in, is true. He looks to his brothers in hopes that they, as his only blood-relatives, would be more understanding. But even they look at him with the same patronizing gaze of bitter scrutiny upon hearing the godfather's last statement.
Leo: "Word a' dis failed hunt will spread from the mouth's of da kids who got away. Our enemies won't take us seriously. Prey critters won't fear us as much. Our friends will look upon our pack with less respect. Oth'a wolves won't wanna join us like they used to. And it's all your fault, Track.
"Stop us from treatin' ya like a pup? You're less than a pup, you're a whelp." I've known pups with more sense and devotion than you."
As he was talking, Leo had caught glimpses of Luciano and Bugsy waiting for a chance to speak and restraining themselves when it was clear that Leo wasn't done yet. Now that he is, he looks at Kale's brothers and nods, which causes them to step forward.
Luciano: "You've disgraced not only the Bone-Chompers, but our own family name too. If mom and dad had a grave, they'd be rollin' over in it now."
Bugsy: "But they don't, 'cuz the puma ate 'em bone and all. And now I wish dat you'd have been lunched too."
Saying all they have to say, they step back into the line. As Kale fights back the tears of his brothers' remorseless words, Leo moves forward and gets up close and personal with Kale. For the first time in his life, Kale is afraid of his own godfather. The pack leader's violation of Kale's personal space is compounded by Leo's eyes. They are cold and brutal, which sends a chill down the younger wolf's spine. Kale would shrink back in fear, but his broken hind legs prevent him from doing that, so he has no choice but to take the brunt of Leo's chastising.
Leo: "The only reason I's haven't ended ya already is because of da vow I made to your mom and dad to take care of you and ya bros. You're still family, but not a Bone-Chomper, which is why we'll leave ya to stew in you's own muck."
The wolves turn around and start heading in the opposite direction of Kale—his two brothers leading the way which means they're madder at him than Leo. Kale panics and starts pleading with his pack. But the more he talks, the more obvious it becomes that they agree with their godfather's reasoning, and they add some extra reasons of their own.
Kale: "Wait! None of you can just leave me here's!"
Clyde: "Watch us, whelp."
Kale: "My legs're broken!"
Bonnie: "Sucks to be you's."
Kale: "I'll be helpless against any other predator!"
Nelson: "You're da weak link. Time for us ta sever it. That's dee only way our pack's rep can be restored."
Kale: "I'll make it up to all of ya, no matter how many years it takes! I promise! Just help me get outta deese traps!"
Emmy: "Do it yaself. Prove ta us dat you's a real Bone-Chomper."
Leo: "My mate's right, Track. We'll accept ya back into our pack if can simply come back home."
Kale is horrified at the offer and what it would require him to do.
Kale: "Without you's help I'd have ta—!"
Being a wolf of few words, Dillinger says his short response as bluntly and rudely as possible, like the true conscience-less sociopath he is.
Dillinger: "Yep. We know. Get to it. Liability oth'a'wise."
Gabby on the other hand is more talkative and fills in the details just a bit more.
Gabby: "Even coyotes will gnaw a limb off to escape, and coyotes are scraggly 'lil wimps! As a wolf, you should be able ta take the pain without passin' out. As a Bone-Chomper, you should be able ta hobble back to us before ya bleed ta death."
Kale: "It's not hobblin', I'd have ta drag myself!"
Gabby: "Then drag yourself. A true Bone-Chomper oughta be betta dan a regular wolf."
Neither Luciano nor Bugsy speak, which to Kale is worse than if they had joined the others in insulting him and rubbing it in. The pack is getting farther away with each step, causing Kale's eyes to shed tears as it is all too clear that they fully intend to literally leave him for dead. Desperation fills his voice when he speaks.
Kale (yelling): "Come back!"
Nelson: "We wouldn't do that even if Godfather Leo ordered it. You's on your own, Track."
Kale's heart sinks along with the volume of his voice.
Kale: "Come back..."
No one in his pack responds, so Kale decides to do the thing they're asking of him. He painstakingly turns his body and moves his hind legs so that he can reach them with his teeth. He takes a deep breath, thinks happy thoughts, and takes a bite—only to immediately let go of his right hind leg from the pain his sharp teeth bring to him. What's worse is that he can't bite down on a stick to relieve the pain because he needs his mouth to crudely amputate his legs.
Kale: "Could you's folks at least help me out?! I'm tryin' to free myself like ya said!"
No one turns around, but Clyde looks to the wolves on his left and asks, "Any of you hear any-ting?"
Emmy: "Nope."
Clyde (looks to the wolves on his right): "How 'bout you's?"
Leo: "I don't hear nothin'."
Kale knows the reason why his pack even denies him assistance: even helping him will be a sign of weakness to the proud Bone-Chompers. He understands, but reflexively wonders in scorn, "Stupid predator pride!"
He snaps out of it upon realizing that wishing for things to be different won't make it happen. He tries one more cry of help, or rather a threat in order to sound tough so that his pack will at least turn to look at him.
Kale: "Don't leave me, or I swear ta get even with all of you's! You'll be sorry!"
Despite his best efforts, there is still a hint of anxiety in his voice, the toughness coming off as forced.
None of the wolves turn around, but Gabby speaks out by saying, "And we'll be waitin'. And tanks for giving us an excuse to ice ya if you's ever come back."
Kale immediately realizes the folly of his ways and comes clean, his voice full of fear and apology. Shameful, yes, but he'll do anything to convince them to help.
Kale: "I was just kidding, honest! I thought if I acted tough you's would—"
Capone: "We know, we ain't stupid. And by da way, every time you's open ya yap, ya make it easier for us to cut the weakest link—you—outta da pack like Nelson said. You're embarrassing yourself now, not us."
A few steps later and the pack disappears into the thick trees and foliage, leaving Kale alone. It's a useless waste of breath, but Kale still can't help to mutter one last thing in pathetic desperation brought about by crushed hopes and feelings.
Kale (barely a whisper): "Don't leave me..."
After taking in and letting out three deep breaths, it hits him all at once. His pack, his family, his brothers—his own flesh and blood—have deliberately abandoned him. He has shamed his parents, the Bone-Chomper Wolf Pack, and the entire wolf species. He is crippled, in agonizing pain, and out of options. His sorrow prevents him from getting an adrenaline boost that would enable him to bite off both legs, not that he would be willing to do that anyway because he would bleed out and die. Faced with those insurmountable circumstances, his teenage body and mind do the only thing left for him to do.
He cries...Cries like he's never cried before. He cries every kind of cry a guy is capable of crying: quiet, to elevated, to loud; whimper to bawling at the top of his lungs; slow and drawn out groans to rapid and short groans; tears flowing with noise, tears flowing without noise; from inner emotional pain to external physical pain.
He ignores anything going on in the world that's located past his own fur coat...But the world past his fur coat doesn't turn a blind eye to him.
Or rather doesn't turn blind eyes. Because no more than three pairs of those have been watching Kale from the cover of shrubs or behind trees ever since his pack arrived after the fox traps latched onto his legs.
The owners of the eyes then act.
Hope you liked the start of the story, and as usual with all of my fics, it'll get better as the chapters progress ;)
Who are the owners of the eyes? What is their plan? Will it work in Kale's favor, or make things worse for him? Tune in next time to find out!