2. Lost Innocence

The cubs returned from the hunting trip exhausted but content in the knowledge they had picked up an important life skill. All with the exception of Red, not only had he almost drowned but even after he had dried off he had been forced to contend with his brothers continuous interference. Every time Red had the drop on his prey, Fang, Rage or Brawler would arrive and interfere causing him to come up empty pawed. All five of the other cubs had caught and eaten something during the hunt whilst he now ached with hunger. His mother had caught something and tried to offer it to him, but it just made the humiliation feel worse and Red had passed. He was just about ready to explode and let the seething anger he now felt out. The only thing he could do to stop it was to slump himself down in the corner of the den and close his eyes.

Night turned to day as the family slept. Red awoke with a start to the sound of loud voices coming from the entrance of the den. He looked around in the dim light, his two sisters and Rage were still sleeping next to him, Fang and Brawler were nowhere to be seen. Pulling himself upright he decided to investigate. Looking out through the entrance he could see it was late afternoon and the sky had begun to darken, straight ahead were his parents. He strained to hear what they were arguing about.

"I don't understand, you promised me," said the mother vixen "we were going to treat them all the same."

"I said I would try, " said Red's father as he turned away "I failed, I'll never accept them as my own." On that note he made his exit leaving his mate in tears wondering what had happened to the understanding Fox she once knew. She turned to follow but noticed Red through the corner of her eye.

"Red go back inside and rest, I need to go after your father," barked the mother vixen "don't worry we'll be back soon". Turning she followed her mate into the trees.

Red re-entered the earth to find his sisters and Rage wide awake, Fang and Brawler were still nowhere to be seen, most likely asleep in one of the separate chambers at the back of the den. "Where did they go?" asked Rage. Red blanked him, he wasn't interested in a long drawn-out conversation with someone he didn't like right now, besides he didn't have an answer to that question.

"I asked you a question!" snarled Rage. Again, Red took no notice and just slumped to the floor in his usual spot. He needed to think, what had his father meant, accept who? He guessed it must be himself, but who else? His mind swam with unanswered questions.

"Don't ignore me!" roared Rage as he bounded over to where Red lay and proceeded to growl loudly.

"I don't know!" said Red.

"I heard voices up there, tell me what was going on or you'll regret it!" replied Rage

"No, and the only thing I'll ever regret is having to grow up with filth like you around!" barked Red angrily.

"Me? Hahaha," laughed Rage "ever seen your own reflection? You're the only filthy beast around here."

Red stood up at last, Rage's smile broadened.

"So that got your attention did it, truth hurts?" sniggered Rage "You bring shame down on the whole family, your brothers, sisters, father and worst of all even your mother is ashamed of you."

"That's, that's not true!" stammered Red.

"It's true, clear as the nose on your face," said Rage "we'd all be much better off without you."

By this time Flame and Siren had taken major interest in the exchange, it was getting way out of hand.

"Stop it Rage, leave him alone, you've taken it too far," shouted Flame.

But it was too late the damage had been done. That last comment had registered as true in Red's mind and it had crushed him. All he wished for now was to fall into a void where no one could taunt or ridicule him anymore, he just wanted it all to stop. Then it happened, his anger which had been building up over his entire short existence boiled over. He charged into his brother, knocking him back into the wall of the den. Before Rage could recover Red leapt onto him and taking his brothers neck in his jaws he bit down with all his strength. Flame couldn't believe what she was seeing. Red had turned from a quiet friendly thoughtful fox into a wild hate filled monster, and if she didn't act fast she would likely lose a brother, maybe even two, she had to get him to let go. Red was now on top of his brother using his body weight to pin Rage to the ground. His jaws still firmly wrapped around his brother's neck, blood began to pour from Rage's wounds.

"Siren, go find help quickly!" said Flame "Find mother and father!".

Siren hesitated for a second then ran with all the speed she could out of the den and into the trees in the hope of finding her parents.

Once Flame was sure Siren was out of danger she jumped onto Reds back in order to divert his attention and cause him to let go. It didn't work, Red continued to grip Rage and merely shook her off like a drop of water. Words were not having the desired affect either, no matter what she said Red continued to squeeze the life from Rage. He either just wasn't listening or wasn't capable of it. She circled the two foxes looking for some kind of opening she could use to break up the fight, all the while continuing to try and calm her enraged brother.

"Please Red, you have to stop this, you've got to listen to me!" pleaded Flame.

She moved into a position where she could look into his eyes. Red met her gaze and was suddenly hit by a moment of absolute clarity. He saw the fear and determination in her expression, but there was something else too, a deep and undeniable affection. Rage had been wrong after all, someone in his family wasn't ashamed. Then Red tasted the blood, he quickly released his grip on Rage and backed away. He looked over at the now still body of his brother, it was too late Rage was gone.

"What have I done?" said Red shakily, he looked down at his paws, they dripped with his brothers blood. "He, he, just wouldn't be quiet, I just wanted him to leave me alone, I…" quivered Red, he knew it was no excuse.

Flame looked between Red and the body of Rage, she knew she had to do something she didn't want to, she needed to control herself. "You need to run Red, and quickly, you don't have much time."

"But, but, why?" stammered Red.

"Siren has gone to find help, she'll return with mother and father any time now," she replied "and once father finds out what you've done, he'll…" she lost control and broke down into tears "I can't lose another brother today."

Red knew Flame was right, if he stayed, he wouldn't survive the night. His only chance was to leave and hope he had the wits to keep himself alive in the wild. He took one last look at his sobbing sister before turning and darting out of the earth, running as fast as he could south towards the river.