1. The Black Fox and the Overlook
"Red?"
The pained voice was heart-breaking. Red watched in slow motion as Scarlet turned away and disappeared into the tree line at the edge of the clearing. He willed himself forwards, but he was quickly intercepted by the pale orange Farthing Wood fox before he could take more than a couple of paces. With his progress blocked Red reached out with his front right paw. "Scarlet, wait!"
Red felt his breathing become irregular, he began to gasp for air, pawing at his neck like he was drowning, and then he woke. Red lurched forwards drawing in a long erratic breath before expelling it in a series of painful coughs and splutters. He was back in his den at the Overlook, it was early afternoon, daylight streamed in through the open wall of the chamber casting bright white light into his eyes. He raised a paw to try and shield his face before dropping back down onto his back and closing his eyes. He'd been so careful to avoid the animals in the park, knowing full well that his first meeting with Scarlet needed to be handled correctly. He'd blown it, and he knew it. Red rolled over onto his side to face the back wall of the chamber and willed himself to go back to sleep. It didn't work, he was soon fidgeting, rolling over repeatedly unable to find a comfortable spot or position. He lifted his head and opened his eyes, it was pointless, maybe some fresh air would clear his mind? Red got to his paws and slowly climbed the tunnel that exited at the top of the cliff.
The air outside was fresh and cool, a marked improvement over the slightly stale rat scented air that still hung around down below. Red cast his gaze out over the park and couldn't help but feel a little in awe again, he might not be particularly enamoured on most of the inhabitants however he couldn't fault the scenery. The Overlook sat at the edge of the park's western boundary and from its peak you could make out many of the park's features, the pond, the warden's cottage, the circle of stones. As Red's vision scanned around to face the west he noticed five small fox shaped figures at the bottom of the grass slope, just outside the threshold of the woods beyond. Red cocked his head slightly before beginning to make his way down towards them. He had only made it about halfway before one of the figures turned and disappeared into the woods to the south, a second shortly followed. Red checked his advance and sat for a moment; the remaining three figures continued moving towards him.
He recognised the foxes as they got closer, an orange furred fox, an orange furred vixen and a blue fox. He had met them all the previous night when he had accidentally crashed the Farthing Wood animals meeting. Red waited for them to close to within a few meters before holding up a paw and motioning for them to stop. "Can I help you?"
Red watched as the three foxes looked at each other as if unsure which of them should talk first. "We-" started the vixen before Red cut her off.
"Because you look a little lost, you do know you are outside the boundary of your park? Are you sure you're even allowed to be out here?"
"What exactly is that meant to mean?" answered the orange furred fox.
"We are not here to fight, we just wanted to talk to you," said the vixen as she stepped forwards, trying her best to take back control of the conversation. "I'm Charmer, this is my mate Ranger and my brother Friendly."
"And why exactly would you want to talk to me?" asked Red.
"Whisper," Charmer paused for a moment before continuing, "she was going to come herself but-"
"I don't know who that is," interrupted Red again with a shake of his head.
"I think you called her Scarlet?" Ranger added.
"You mean I used her actual name?"
"Her name is Whisper," said Friendly, "what she calls herself is up to her, not you."
Red took a couple of paces forwards until he was so close to Friendly that he could feel the younger fox's breath on his face. "I know who she is, do you?"
Charmer pushed forwards again, wedging herself between her brother and Red. "We're not here to fight or argue, Whisper… Scarlet, asked us to speak to you." Red turned and began slowly walking back towards his den. "She doesn't understand how, or why you are here," Charmer continued.
"Sorry, hold on, that wasn't exactly what she said. What my sister meant to say is, Whisper doesn't want you here." Charmer turned to her brother and glared disapprovingly, she mouthed something silently in his direction.
Red stopped and turned his head back to face the three foxes. "If she wants to talk to me tell her to come do it herself, don't send a bunch of her Farthing Wood cronies." He waved a paw in their direction.
Friendly pushed his sister out of the way and began to growl, his legs splayed as if he was ready for a fight.
"I've seen more terrifying displays from newly born cubs, you probably want to work on that," said Red as he looked Friendly up and down, "don't get in my way again, you won't like what happens." Red turned away again and began heading to the top of the cliff. "This is my home and you've all overstayed your welcome, leave, and don't come back."
