Just another little response to the challenge. Hope you enjoy this one as well.
The Cry of the Night
Author: LetitiaRichards
Spoilers: None. Future fic.
Category: Angst.
Summary: The cry of the night is calling.
My response to Challenge #54 using the words - The Cry of the Night.
There it was again, a cry in the darkness. Muffled by the dank air, it sounded nothing more than a far off moan. He believed he knew what it was and he quickened his steps towards it.
It was difficult to see his path through the thick fog. It curled around his already damp and chilled body, making his coat heavier. It was cold, but it wasn't freezing. Yet.
Lost for a moment, he stilled. Listening. Straining his ears to hear the cry of the night. There were many different sounds and cries in the forest around him, but he only needed to hear the one.
Moments later, it came again and he oriented himself. Heedless of the hidden dangers that lurked in his path, he raced towards it. He wasn't afraid, even though his heart pounded within his chest. His breath came in hard gasps in his eagerness to reach safety.
The cry seemed closer this time when it came, muted though it was by the heavy moist air.
There was light in the distance, now.
He ran harder, jumping over obstacles in the more familiar terrain.
The cry of the night changed into something far more welcoming than the moans he'd first heard. He'd ventured far and wide in his eagerness to explore.
There. Just a few more yards to go and he felt happy to be home once more.
To be reunited with those who cared for him.
Safe once again.
He stopped, then looked up at his friend, still panting heavily but joyous.
"So... you've decided to come back, have ya! What kept ya?"
He ignored the heavy sarcasm because he knew Jack never meant anything by it.
"Jack?"
"What?" Jack asked of Daniel who now stood behind him. Jack moved away slightly and crouched down in the light coming from the cabin doorway. Despite his angry frown, he did feel a lot calmer now. Relief was an understatement.
"Sir?"
"What?" Jack's patience grew thin after the earlier fear of losing someone so close to his heart. He ruffled the mop of hair in front of him.
"Don't you think letting your puppy have the run of the forest is a little risky?" Daniel asked, pre-empting Sam. "I mean, he could have gotten lost out there. You've been calling him for ages."
"He'll be fine, Daniel. Once he's fully trained he'll know to come when he's called. Won't ya, Homer!" Jack said, patting the excitable pup.
Jack then found himself on the receiving end of many licks of delight from the young dog. Getting a four-legged friend was one of the top things on his "must have" list now that he'd retired. Something he wasn't able to do whilst he was still serving Uncle Sam. It was the first thing he'd done when everything had been finalised.
The four friends, now accompanied by Jack's new dog, retreated back into the cabin where it was warmer.
Homer was happy to be reunited with his master. Nothing was better than being among people he loved, having a good meal and a nice warm place in front of the fire on a dark, damp night. Listening to the humans chatting away in the background, he closed his eyes and dreamed of days when they would all go exploring. In the future though, he would always be able to tell his master's voice from the other cries of the night.
The End
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, they're not mine. Not getting paid for any of this. No copyright infringements intended.