Something Special
Chapter Seven (Wow already? Woah.)
Special Thanks to bikerboy for helping out with this chapter and the storyline afterwards
(Author's Note: We're already on chapter seven! Woah! I feel… pretty good about this. The story's going to be a lot more interesting now than Hutch just trying to keep the murder a secret. Oh, also, there's going to be a pretty bloody scene, also with liquid that is associated with infected wounds, and oozing. I will put a message in brackets when the scene begins and ends. You ready to go? Let's go then!)
Hutch, Kate, and Lilly were all padding back towards the pack. "Do you want us to go ahead Hutch? We can start alerting everyone about this, so everyone will be there," Lilly asked.
"Go ahead you two. I'll make a quick stop by the scene of the crime to make sure nothing drastic happened in the middle of the night," Hutch woofed.
"Okay. We'll see you later then," Kate barked.
The two sisters left, picking up the pace as they padded towards the pack. I'm glad that Lilly suggested that she and Kate go ahead. I need to psyche myself up before doing all of this. We're going to be around Garth's body a lot, and I need to be prepared before we start investigating. So, let's go find the body. Hutch padded to where they had left Garth's body. It was under a bush, protected from the elements. Or, as it was supposed to be. As Hutch neared the bush, he found that Garth's body was missing.
Almost freaking out, Hutch was about to howl for help. No. I will prove to myself that I can do this alone. Hutch investigated the hill that was behind the bush, leading down to the river. There was no scent there. Okay… then maybe the body was washed into the river last night and the scent faded enough? Hutch ran downstream, scanning the water for suspicious sights. He ran right down to the part of the river that had a lot of rocks. The body would get caught here instead of going downstream… the rocks are too close together to let anything much bigger than a fish get through, let alone a wolf.
Hutch leapt onto the rocks, which were slippery. I do NOT want to fall in. Hutch thought, as he pulled apart the rocks, searching for some sign that Garth's body was here. Nothing. I searched everywhere… is it possible that some sort of predator took it away? Hutch ran back to the site, thinking. No… the scent of wolf was too strong. Scavengers would be too scared. We don't really have any other big predators in our territory anyways, except maybe bears. But as far as I know… bears don't eat wolves. Anyway, there's plenty of surrounding food. Bears wouldn't need to eat a wolf.
Hutch was getting frantic and considered calling for help. At least this is something that I didn't do. Hutch thought. He was about to call for help when he heard a rustle a few feet away. Huh? He instantly kept low to the ground, sneaking towards the bush where he heard the rustling. He scented for what it was. Blood. Wolf. But, no death. Is there a wolf trapped in there or something? Hutch thought. As he got closer, a paw came out of the bush, obviously feeling for something. Rust colored fur. This wolf is alive. Hutch saw that the paw was huge. This wolf is a male. Hutch scented the air again for the identity of this wolf.
He was taken aback from what he smelled. I must be imagining it. He's dead! I killed him! A voice came from inside the bush. "Is someone there…? Please… help me…" The wolf whispered, so obviously very weak. It is! "G-Garth?" Hutch asked.
(Author's note: DUN DUN DUUUUN!)
Instantly the voice sounded relived. "Hutch! It's you! You gotta help me. The last thing I remembered was getting attacked, I have no idea who it was except that they had gray fur, and then everything blacked out. I woke up underneath a bush, and then I dragged myself here. I was lying in a puddle of my own blood. I knew I wanted to move, but I could only drag myself this far… please! You need to help me!" Garth barked, his voice weak.
In any other circumstance where Hutch did try to kill Garth he would kill him. But then Hutch realized all that he had been through after killing Garth. Sure, it would be so easy to just kill him, and then he could frame another wolf for the crime and get on with his life, but he'd also have to live with the conscience that he killed Garth again, after feeling terribly guilty after attempting to murder him once. If Hutch did save him, he'd have to deal with the problem that a gray furred wolf killed him, and that's what Hutch was, but he wouldn't be suspicious because he saved Garth. And then he'd be happy knowing that he'd saved Garth.
But what if he has to marry Kate? Then everything would have been for nothing. But would they really marry them? I mean, to them that would just seem like giving the wolf another chance. They couldn't marry. But what if they do? Hutch thought about it. That's a risk I'm willing to take, for my sanity, and to finally clear my name. "Hutch? Are you going to help me?" Garth asked.
"Yes. It's just, everyone thought that you were dead. I'll howl for help. I won't leave you in a condition like this," Hutch woofed, feeling happy, but also scared with his decision.
"Oh, thank you Hutch! I am forever in your debt," Garth woofed.
No, I was just repaying it. But no matter. Hutch let loose a long, loud howl. He didn't howl any words, because he still wasn't quite confident in howling words yet. It's been years. Hutch sighed. I'm glad I made the decision I did, but, I don't know how it's going to go. I don't think I'll be suspicious, because to the others, if I was the wolf who attempted to kill him, I would. But, also to them, the killer seems cold-hearted and… well… not me. Not the real me, anyway. Hutch was still scared about how he acted that night. I… I don't even have words in my mind for how I acted. I'm just glad I can redeem myself. But… how did I not kill Garth? Did I knock him unconscious accidentally, and it seemed like he was dead? Or… was I just not strong enough?
Hutch had tried very hard to forget the events of that night, but it was a little difficult because it wasn't that long ago at all. But, Hutch had tried so hard that he forgot some of it. He only clearly remembered when he knocked Garth off of the cliff, landing on top of him, and the end when he was disguising the place and throwing him in the river. I hazily remember getting thrown off by him, then having to attack him again. But… that's about it. And I wasn't in my right mind anyway, so I'm not that surprised about it. Hutch thought.
By this time, Kate, Lilly, Winston, and Eve came to the scene. Tony was back with his pack, so word would take a bit to travel to him. Winston padded up to him. "Hutch! What is it? We heard your howl and- "Garth's alive," Hutch interrupted.
"What?! He's alive!? Where is he?" Eve asked, frantically looking around.
"U-under here…" Came Garth's weak voice, sticking his paw out again.
"Garth!" All of the wolves barked in unison.
"As you heard… I'm… somewhat alive…" He added, sticking his nose out.
"Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get him out. Now," Hutch woofed.
"You're right Hutch. We'll try to get him as untangled as possible, and you will have to pull him out. None of us others are strong enough to do that," Winston barked.
"Alright. Let's get it done quickly. We're going to need those wounds attended to. I got a glimpse. They're bad," Hutch answered.
I didn't get a glimpse of them. The bush is too thick. I was the one that caused them. But I already know that. Hutch padded up to the front of the bush, and leaned down. "Garth. Which part of you that I can reach hurts the least?" Hutch asked.
Hutch already knew. His legs. But he wasn't about to say that. "My… my legs. Yeah. My legs," Garth confirmed.
"You ready Hutch?" Came Kate's voice from the other side of the bush.
"Yep," Hutch responded.
He leaned back down to Garth. "I'm going to pull you as hard as I can. I am very sorry if I hurt you. But we got to get you out of there as soon as possible," Hutch woofed, taking hold of Garth's front legs.
"It's okay… better than being left here to rot away…" He woofed.
Don't remind me.
"Alright. One. Two. Three!" Winston barked, as he and the others lifted up the bush as much as they could on the one side that Garth was in.
[This next paragraph contains the blood and liquid previously mentioned. Skip to the next message in brackets like this if you wish to not view this. NOT the Author's notes. Those are not signifying the end of the blood and grossness. (Grossness? Is that how you say that?)]
Hutch instantly yanked on Garth's legs. Garth yelped, but didn't struggle. He started helping Hutch by kicking his back legs to push him along the ground. Soon Garth's head emerged from the darkness of the bush. It was even worse than Hutch remembered. Some of the wounds were undoubtedly infected already. Some were so infected, they were oozing yellow liquid.
(Author's note: Eeww…)
Hutch kept pulling on him, when he hit a snag. "Ow! I'm caught… on something," Garth yelped.
Hutch stopped pulling. I don't want to injure him further. "Stay still Garth. I'm going to try and untangle you," Hutch barked, sticking his head under the bush.
It smelled unbelievably bad in there. I can't believe I was the cause of this… Hutch thought. It was dark, and Hutch was stepping in Garth's blood. And the liquid coming out of some of his wounds too. I am so sorry Garth. Hutch thought. He saw one of Garth's hind legs caught on a branch. It was sort of wrapped around it. I'm glad I didn't try to tug him free. I might have ripped his leg off. The flesh connecting his leg to his body is fragile enough already… "Your leg is wrapped by one of the branches Garth! I'm going to unravel it, but it's tight. Try not to flinch, even if your leg hurts. It's really tight," Hutch woofed over his shoulder.
"Got it!" Garth barked from outside.
Eve had ran around the bush to where Garth was, and she was cleaning the wounds on his head and shoulders.
(Author's note: Head and Shoulder's shampoo reference right there… okay I'll stop now.)
Hutch unraveled Garth's leg. "Alright! Got it!" He barked over his shoulder again.
Hutch backed out of there. I'll never take fresh air for granted… I can't believe Garth spent so long in there. Hutch saw that Eve had cleaned up Garth's wounds. Hutch blinked a thanks at her. Eve nodded back. Huh. She didn't snarl at me. Odd. Maybe it's because I'm saving Garth or something, I dunno. Hutch thought. "Alright! Lift up the bush again," Hutch woofed to the others.
"Okay! One, two, three!" Winston barked, and the four picked up the bush again.
Hutch saw Kate give him a worried look. I think she thinks that she's going to be prosecuted, but no. Garth said a gray-furred wolf. Kate is about as far from gray as you can get. Hutch took hold of Garth's legs and pulled him the rest of the way out. The low light in the bush made it impossible for Hutch to see the true extent of the damage he inflicted. The wounds were made worse from sitting bare like that for so long… I'm glad I found him when I did, but I'm not sure if he's going to be able to survive this... Garth's wound on his bottom half were all infected. He was leaving a trail of more orange liquid, because the yellow mixed with the red and created… a gross scene. Hutch could barely look at it.
[Blood scene has ended, you may read on until the next set of brackets, where there is more mention of the blood and injuries]
I'll have to carry him to the den. No one else can. Will he survive the trip though? I think it's best to move him to a clean spot, but only the minimal distance. It wouldn't be good to move him that far. "Um, I don't think we should move him to the Alpha den. He won't survive that trip. Let's just move him to a clean spot with clean leaves or grass or whatever we can find, and that will have to do," Hutch barked to Eve.
Eve nodded in agreement. "Yes. I was thinking that too. He's too injured to be carried that far," She agreed.
Eh, she's the healer. I guess she would know it. It's probably also a bit of arrogance and wanting to say that she was right, but that's who Eve is. Meh. Garth attempted to lift his head, but Eve snapped at him. "Lay your head down! You are in no condition to move by yourself. Hutch will move you instead," Eve growled.
Aaand there it is. Here is Eve, ladies and gentlewolves. Eve at her… least aggressive. Hutch thought. Garth grumbled. "Ugh. I'm being carried by a Beta of the Western pack. At least it's not an Omega..." He growled to himself.
Watch your tone buddy. Lilly is right there and I don't think that you'd get away with hurting her feelings. And that Beta that you're talking about is me. The wolf that saved your life and tried to end it. You'd better watch what you say. Hutch thought. The thought surprised him. Not because he thought it but because of what it consisted of. I just saved the wolf I tried to kill. I mean, when I tried to kill him I was kind of insane, but I mean, I still tried to kill a wolf. And not in justice, it was waiting for him to turn his back and ambush him, because of a girl. Okay. Hutch thought.
"Okay Hutch. We've made a sort of bed. Put him here," Eve barked to Hutch from a few feet away. They had made a grass bed with some cobwebs filling the bottom so the liquid could be drawn away.
[More blood and liquid ahead. If you wish to skip, skip to the next pair of brackets]
Hutch picked up Garth by sliding his head under garth. Hutch got the blood and liquid on his head, but he didn't really care at the moment, because it was worth it. Hutch gently tossed Garth all the way onto his back. Garth winced, but didn't struggle. Garth has better self-control than I ever will. Hutch thought. Hutch felt the blood and liquid actively oozing onto his back. Oh… gross. Hutch thought.
[End of blood scenes]
He quickly transported Garth to the nest. "Thank you Hutch. You should go wash off. We'll get his wounds tented to. You go back to the pack and alert them about what's happened," Winston woofed, with a nod to Hutch.
"Yes… thank you Hutch. If it weren't for you… I'd be dead now… thank you," Garth whispered to Hutch, giving him a small nod.
Hutch nodded back. "You shouldn't be talking! Be quiet!" Eve barked.
Garth gave Hutch a very exasperated look. Hutch shrugged. Hutch turned away and ran towards the river. He recounted his actions as he did. I saved Garth… and in doing so I've cleared my name… I… I think this is what was needed to finally feel at peace. But… I'm not done. I have to try to keep my secret still, while now trying to keep other wolves from being killed. I may have solved one challenge, but in doing so I created another. Hutch remembered that all of this was for Kate.
You are so worth all of this Kate. Every. Last. Moment.
