Chapter 8

Willow's Perspective.

Humphrey and I have been walking for a while now. We left the den we used as a refuge, and decided to go back to the train tracks. I still remembered where they were so I guided Humphrey there.

Speaking of Humphrey, there's something about him that I find unusually comforting. I can't quite describe it, but he has a very peaceful vibe. Even clearly being discomforted by the injury he has sustained, he still makes light of the situation.

The event with this Kate girl, he seems to be very good at hiding his feelings, and who am I to judge him for that. To be fair, we still barely know each other. Technically, he less than I.

What I mean by that is, even though he shared a piece of what happened, I know that the well goes miles deeper than that. He only showed me the first few feet.

To have someone in your life for so long; someone that you were best friends with since practically birth; only to be hurt by them… is devastating. I personally have never had that kind of relationship with someone; let alone from such a young age; but I can imagine how much it hurts.

For Humphrey to be capable of keeping this pain from seeping out into his words and actions is astonishing. God, I wish I could comfort him in a way he deserves. Unfortunately… he and I just don't know each other like that. Maybe things could change in the future.

"How far do you think you got?" Humphrey asked. "On the train, I mean." He added, looking over at me.

"I couldn't have gotten that far.. A mile or so?" I replied with uncertainty. Humphrey seemed to be content with that answer, or at least I hope so.

Humphrey and I kept walking for a few minutes more before he suddenly froze in his tracks.

"Don't move." He said sternly. I haven't heard Humphrey sound like that, and it worried me.

I did as he said, immediately halting.

"What's wrong?" I replied, in a panicky tone.

"We're being watched. Humans." He said before I looked in the direction he was staring. Suddenly, there were two, five, eight, ten humans emerging along the tree line opposite to us.

"Run!" Humphrey yelled, as we both made a break for the woods.

I did as he commanded, and bolted into the forest to our right. I dodged trees and ducked under branches, pushing through bushes as well. I took a moment to look behind me to notice Humphrey wasn't there. I immediately veered around to spot him. I finally saw him, immediately before he was shot with a dart-looking thing.

"Humphrey!" I yelled, beginning to make my way to him.

"No! Just run-" He yelled out to me before being hit with another dart. Humphrey hit the ground, motionless.

Oh my God. Did they just kill him?!

The humans surrounded him, bending down to pick him up. The sight foreign to me; as I watched in terror. Two large vehicles on the train tracks came to a halt next to the humans, seemingly to pick them up.

I quietly listened to their voices, hoping for anything to make sense to me.

"We got one, finally! Should have hit them both when we had the chance." One of them said, looking at Humphrey as he is put in a large metal box.

"Hey, isn't that.. Is that the same wolf from last time?" Another human said. What is he talking about.

"Impossible." The other human replied. "That one went all the way to Idaho. A lot of these wolves look the same, anyway." He added, getting into one of the vehicles. With that, they all got in, and drove away. I quickly emerged from the tree line to see a word printed on the back of the vehicles.

Purcell Wilderness Conservancy.

Is that where they're taking him? And Idaho.. I can't remember if Humphrey ever mentioned that place.

I watched as the vehicles drove away, churning dust into the air in their wake. My heart racing, I began to emotionally panic.

"Oh God, Humphrey…" I said quietly to myself. I needed to get help. I ran in the direction of the pack. I was still a good distance away, since nothing around me was familiar, but I knew that I needed to get back as soon as possible.

I continued along the train tracks, hearing the birds chirp, the trees woosh, and the occasional rabbit scamper away. My mind never left Humphrey. If I had just waited for a moment longer.. damn it!

It should have been me.. In fact, I wish it were me instead. I mean, in truth I don't impact anyone really, I serve no immediate purpose to my pack. Humphrey did not deserve what just happened to him; injured nonetheless.

I continued along the tracks until I began to see familiar territory, scent markers making themselves obvious. I suddenly heard a voice, coming from the thicket.

"Hey!" A male voice called out, making himself visible. The male figure turned out to be my friend, Chris.

"Willow, holy shit." He said, approaching me. "We've been looking for you!" He said relieved.

I feel like I should have felt flattered, but my own emotion was overridden by my worry for Humphrey.

"I'll explain everything, but I need to speak with Sebastian immediately." I said with haste.

"Okay, okay, uh.." Chris replied, almost frantically looking around. "Sebastian led the last search party, around the area you were thought to be last." He added.

"Then that's where we're going." I said, beginning a brisk jog toward the pack.

"Wait, you said you'd explain!" Chris said, catching up.

"Along the way, let's go!" I replied. I really wasn't trying to goof off with the event that just unfolded. Humphrey barely survived what happened to him, and now he's been taken. Seemingly again.

"Why do you smell so strongly of.. Blood?" Chris asked, trotting behind me.

"It's not mine. Long story short, someone was bleeding out really bad and almost died. I did my best to save them. Thankfully I was successful but now they've been taken by humans, and I need Sebastian's help in finding out exactly where he's been taken." I said, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me suddenly.. But why? What about this particular wolf makes me feel so.. protective?

"Whoa.. I'm sure there's a lot of detail you've left out but that's pretty rough, Willow." Chris replied in a tone that would indicate disbelief, but right now I don't care if he believes me or not, I know what happened and I'm not letting anyone discourage my motives.

We approached my last known location, when suddenly Chris let out a howl; seemingly as an indication to Sebastian. I looked back at Chris once I stopped in a suitable area to wait.

"If he's anywhere near, their search party should be on their way now." Chris said, right before we heard a response, not far away.

"Now we wait. Last thing we'd want is to get lost." Chris added, indicating toward the thick forest.

I was slightly disappointed that we'd have to do that, but it definitely wasn't smart to try to find Sebastian as we made his way to us. I sat; impatient.

We waited around 15 minutes before several wolves made their way across the shallow river.

"Willow! Thank God.." Sebastian said, seemingly relieved as he brought me into a slightly wet hug. "You need to explain what led to your disappearance." He added fatherly.

I nodded. "I walked to the train tracks, interested in seeing the train. I sat and watched as it went by, but then I saw a wolf inside one of the empty cars; blood everywhere. I don't know why, but I ran after it and jumped in, in hopes of figuring out how to save the wolf- if he wasn't dead already. There were some materials in the train car that helped me aid him. I-" I tried to continue before being interrupted.

"Him?" Chris asked questioningly.

I looked at him flatly.

"Gender regardless." I said, before continuing.

"Anyway, I managed to get him off of the train, and found a place to settle until he hopefully awoke. I didn't know where I was so I thought it best to stay with the wolf in case he did wake up. Eventually he did, but on our way here he was taken by humans, which is why I'm here." I finished.

Sebastian had a puzzled face, as he tried to compile everything I said. He took a moment, but eventually replied.

"He awoke.. Did you catch his name?" Sebastian asked.

"Humphrey." I replied. He only closed his eyes.

"Humphrey…" He repeated, opening his eyes again.

"Do.. you know who that is?" I asked, puzzled.

"No.." He replied, taking a moment. "But it sounds familiar." He had a look of grimace as he tried to remember. There was a slight pause.

"So.. what can we do about this?" I asked.

He had an unsure look on his face, before asking. "Do you happen to know where he may have been taken?"

"Purcell, I think. It's a Wilderness Conservancy, whatever that means." I replied quickly.

Sebastian had a face of disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Willow. We can't travel that far from the pack. That would be a long trip, and due to that, I'd have to send several Alphas along. I'm sorry, Willow, we can't go there." Sebastian said, wearily.

"Wait, you're not even going to consider?!" I asked. He can't be serious.

"Willow, please understand. We simply can't risk sending so many wolves on a search and rescue op to a place so far away. I'm sorry." He said. "It's really good to see that you're safe, though." He finished, as he and the other spectating wolves walked back to the pack.

I stared in disbelief. Deep down, I understood; but I'm just so disappointed.

Chris broke his gaze from the distant wolves, looking at me.

"I know what you're planning." He said plainly. "I don't like the thought of it, but I understand, I do." He added. "It would go against my oath as an Alpha, but if you need me to come along, I will." He added sincerely.

"No, you stay here. If I leave, I have no repercussions. You however, will. I'll be fine, I can handle myself." I said confidently.

He smiled. "I know you can." He said, before turning away and following the other wolves.

I watched as he ran to catch up, then turned to face the train tracks in the distance, through the brush.

"I can handle myself.." I said to myself, quietly.