Chipi continued racing across the forest, following the scent. This was fun! She leapt over a log and, after stumbling and loosing her footing a bit, the puppy stood back up and continued racing across the forest. Chipi continued to just leap along, before she suddenly remembered she was following something. Sniffing her way over again, Chipi found the scent once more and began charging off in the right direction.
The puppy giggled slightly, "Hey Mr. Copper!" she called back, "I think I'm getting closer". Chipi turned around, tail wagging excitedly, to tell the older dog how good she was doing in that she thought they must be really close to whatever they were tracking by now! Yet, as Chipi turned around, she didn't spot Copper anywhere, nor Chief, their master or her own master for that matter!
Chipi's tail stopped wagging and a frown immediately appeared on her face. "Guys" she called, looking around, "Where'dja go!". The puppy immediately began sniffing around again, only this time trying to pick up any scent at all from the group she'd been with earlier, but they hadn't been here yet, so she couldn't pick up anything.
"Ok, don't panic" Chipi told herself, starting to get worried, "They're bound to find me--unless--how far out am I!" the puppy wondered, suddenly glancing around. She didn't recognize any of her surroundings!
Chief walked up to where Copper was scanning the forest. The old dog was panting heavily. "You--forgot to mention barking--so that--we could keep up--didn't you?" he asked Copper. The other dog just continued to scan their surroundings, "I thought she knew!" he said. He shook his head, "Oh Chief, I lost her!" he said, "She's out there all alone and it's all my fault!".
"Now sonny, don't worry" Chief said, "That little yapper couldn't have run off that far, she's bound to be around here somewhere". Copper turned to Chief, "Do you have any idea how far or how long we've already searched!" she asked worriedly, "I didn't know a puppy could move that fast!".
Chief nodded, "It is quite impressive" he remarked. The old dog then glanced back to Copper, noticing that the hound wasn't paying an attention to his little attempt at humor. "Aw come on, Copper" he said, "I bet the kid's already headed home. Why if we were ta head over to that widow's farm, Chipi's probably already over there tormenting the wild life". Copper turned to his old friend. "You honestly believe that?" he questioned seriously. Chief was silent.
Andy scanned the forest once more, "Chipi!" he called, "Here girl!". He continued scanning the forest worriedly as no answer came. Amos came up beside the teen. "Even at her young age, I've noticed that pup's pretty head smart" he said, "I'm sure she'll be fine". Andy seemed to not hear him as he continued to scan the forest.
Scuff the badger and Midnight the raccoon both glanced up as the bushes rustled slightly. The young woodland animals kept their concentration right on the bush until they finally saw Binx's little head pop through. Both of them let out a sigh of relief as their friend stepped out and shook the branches from his fur.
"What?" Binx asked, smirking slightly, "Did you think I was a hunter or something?". Both of his friends immediately shook their heads and, with slight smiles, explained that they hadn't thought that at all. "We're just jittery" Midnight said, "I mean, ever since our parents started lecturing us on how were not protected behind the gates no more and gotta be careful--well--It's a bit unsettling!".
Binx shook his head, "Yeah, well, I for one am not gonna let this "new danger" ruin my fun" he said, "Besides, I think most of it's just made up old wives tales anyway". Midnight frowned slightly, "Binx, you're not saying you think your parents are liars are you?" he asked shocked. "Na" Binx replied, "Not lying, just exaggerating a bit. You know how they worry needlessly".
Just then a slight rustle from the bushes over to the right brought everyone's attention over to the spot. Midnight tenses up slightly, "That doesn't sound like something to worry needlessly over--" he said.
Binx sighed, "Come on, Midnight" he said, "it's just a noise". Scuff crossed his arms, "Alright mister know it all" he said, "What would be making a sound way out here, unless it's one of those hunters coming back to their--stand thingy" he said, pointing behind him at the deer stand they were sitting next to.
It was because of this possibility of humans coming and going frequently with guns that their parents had forbidden them from playing around this spot--and of course that's what made the spot interesting.
Binx still didn't think there was anything to worry about. "It's just a rustling of the wind" he declared knowingly, "I'll show you!". The fox cub began creeping closer to the bush. "Binx!" Midnight whispered, "be careful!". Binx pushed aside his friend's worrying. There was nothing to be afraid of.
The fox cub slowly walked closer to the bushes, when suddenly something flew out and ran smack into him. Midnight and even Scuff screamed and scattered to hid behind nearby logs.