"Wait for me!" The little jackal yelled as he ran after his siblings. He stumbled but didn't fall. "Jay! Slow down!"
His elder brother slowed and took his hand. The two walked through the sand, following their sisters to the climbing rocks.
"Jay! Come on!" Yelled the eldest sister. "Leave Finn behind! No one wants the little runt around anyway!"
Jay frowned, "don't say those things Nadia."
She just scoffed, "fine. You're the only one he's holding back anyway." Then she ran ahead.
Finn squeezed Jay's hand, "I'm sorry Jay... I just wanna..."
"Don't even finish that sentence." Jay said putting a finger against his little brother's lips. "You don't have to apologize for being small, that just means you'll grow the most."
Finn grinned, his sharp teeth glinting. "I'll be the toughest jackal there is."
Jay ruffled his mane, "you sure will."
When the two boys reached the climbing rocks, their sisters were already there. Along with some other jackal children.
Butch and Hutch were at the top of the pile. "Will you quit Butch?" Snapped Hutch. His brother was trying to push him off.
"Calm down you pup," smirked Butch.
Hutch huffed and pulled his shoulder length, white mane into a a low knot. Then he sat cross legged on the flat rock on top and closed his eyes.
Butch's eyes glinted with bad intentions as he saw Finn and Jay approach. He jumped down in front of Finn.
The little pup flinched and stepped closer to Jay.
He bent down, grinned, and ran his tongue over his fangs, "what are you doing here little pup?"
"I-I..." Finn trembled. Butch was a very intimidating jackal. He was so much bigger than them. His mane was shaved on the left side, and all the rest of it was pushed over his right shoulder.
"Leave him alone!" Barked Jay.
Finn looked up at his mohawked older brother with adoration in his blue and gold eyes. Jay was so brave.
"Oh yeah?" Butch snarled. "Make me." He then pushed Jay's chest, causing him to fall backwards.
Finn gasped and darted for the climbing rocks as Butch grabbed for him. The little jackal grabbed hold of a rock and scrambled up. He screamed as Butch grabbed his tail.
Butch laughed with sick delight.
Jay jumped to his feet and ran towards them, "leave him alone!"
While Butch was distracted, Finn got his tail free and scrambled to the top.
Hutch opened his eyes at the commotion.
When Butch reached the top, he showed Finn his teeth. Finn yelped and ducked behind Hutch.
"Leave the kid alone Butch. He's not hurting anything."
"Get out of my way Hutch, that little rat is mine." He swung his hand as he said so.
"He didn't do anything to you, he's just a pup." Hutch glared at his brother.
"I don't care!" His grin grew sinister, "he's the alpha's pup."
As he lunged for him, Finn screamed and hit the ground, covering his head with his hands.
At that moment, the rocks gave way. Finn and Hutch fell back down the rocks to the ravine behind them.
Hutch grabbed a rock sticking out with one hand, and Finn by the tail with the other.
Finn's eyes widened as he looked down to the ground below. "Jay!" He cried, "help me!"
Jay had reached the top of the rocks, "Finn!"
Butch was on his stomach reaching for his brother. "Hutch!" He tried, but couldn't reach him. He'd fallen too far for his arm to reach.
Jay knelt beside him, "let me help."
"Get out of the way pup! You're too small." He snapped.
"My brother's down there too!" He cried. His eyes grew moist at the thought of Finn falling to his death below. He had to protect him.
When Hutch saw Jay he swung Finn up. Finn screamed until Jay caught him.
Hutch grabbed the rocks with his other hand. "Butch!" He cried as his feet scrabbled against the rocks, "help!"
"Butch," Jay said, "let us help."
"Fine," he snapped.
Jay grabbed Butch's tail, and Finn grabbed Jay's.
Butch stretched down to reach Hutch's hands. His brother reached up and grabbed them.
"Pull!" Butch cried.
Jay pulled with all his might. Finn did too. But they couldn't pull him up. Instead, they started sliding down too.
"Butch!" Hutch called, "let go! You'll fall too!"
"No!" Butch cried as a few tears brimmed his eyes, "I'm not going to let you go!"
Hutch closed his eyes tight as they burned with tears. "I'm sorry Butch," he whispered. He let go with one hand and reached up. His claws swiped across Butch's cheek.
Butch yowled and let go, clutching the wound.
Hutch fell to the ground, his scream echoing in their ears.