Colby's POV:

I watch with a sore cheek as the teenager is forced by father to help mum make lunch. I feel sorry for her. She has a mother and father who loves her. She has siblings who care for her, some of whom I know father has locked up somewhere. She was taken from them against her will. It's not fair! Why does evil have to exist in this world? Is there any way out? Any escape from the pain? I still don't know. My siblings cry themselves to sleep every night, afraid that father will make the next day their last. I used to be like that as well, until I learned to submit to him. I do what I can to protect my siblings from father's wrath. I may not always succeed, but I do try.

Our mother isn't a bad weasel. She's a victim, much like us. Father beats her, too. She is afraid of him and I don't blame her. When father isn't around, though, mum acts more like our mother. She does more with us. Even when my younger sibling are being naughty, she doesn't tell father. She knows what would happen to them if she tells. She is very protective over us. After all, we're her kits. Mum is like me, though. She can't be everywhere at once. There's only so much she can do.

Father leaves the chamber after instructing the girl to clean up after we're done eating. For her sake, I try to be careful as I eat so I don't spill anything. This time, it wouldn't be me to get beaten. It'd be the teenager.

After we finish eating, mum and the teenager begin cleaning up. I tentatively approach the teenager. "Hello. My name's Colby. Um…what's your name?" I ask.

"My…my name's Whisper…" She mumbles.

"I…I'm sorry father did this to you. Listen, no matter what, I'll help you get out of here," I promise her.

"I was planning to help you!" Whisper speaks out of shock.

"Then, let's help each other. You help my siblings and I escape, and I'll help your family and friends to find you. Deal?" I inquire, holding my paw out.

Whisper shakes it. "Deal!" She accepts.

"So, ya wanna make a deal wi' th' enemy, don't ya?" Father's voice growls behind me. I turn, only for a fist to connect with my face. I am knocked flat against the cool chamber ground.

Mum comes up to us. "Please! Don't hurt him!" She pleads.

"Shut up!" Father snarls. He takes a knife and, before I can scream, he stabs mum multiple times in the throat and chest. She is dead long before her body hits the ground.

Father turns to me, blood still oozing from his knife. "Ya want freedom? Then, take those pathetic siblings of yers an' get th' hell out of 'ere!" Father growls.

I race off and gather my siblings. We run as fast as we can, father still on our heels. He only stops giving chase when we are way out of sight and hearing distance. My siblings are crying. I know it's because of mum. I want to join with the tears, but there're more important things to do. I have to find Whisper's family and friends, as well as get us away from father's clutches.

I kneel beside my crying siblings. "Jayden, Lacey, Kay, please stop crying. We have to keep moving. We have to find Buck," I speak up.

"But…mum…she's dead…" Lacey whimpers.

"I…I know, but we'll be alright. From what I've heard, Buck is nice. He'll help us and we'll return the favor," I explain.

"But 'ow?" Jayden asks.

"We'll help them find Whisper and the other teenagers. I'm sure they'll keep us safe from father in return," I answer.

"O…okay…" Lacey and Kay grab onto my and Jayden's paws. Despite their fear and sadness, they trust us. We head off deeper into the jungle, hoping that we may indeed find Buck and not become meals ourselves.

A few hours into travelling, Lacey and Kay begin complaining from tiredness. I opt to carry Lacey on my back so she can rest. Jayden does the same for Kay. We continue moving through the dense jungle a few more miles. That's when we start hearing the voices. I place Lacey down and have my siblings wait in the shelter of the bushes. I exit the bushes and follow the voices. I find myself in the prescence of six weasels and a Saber-tooth Tiger.

The one-eyed weasel, who I assume to be Buck, speaks first. "Who are ya?" He asks.

"I…my name is Colby. I'm, or at least I was, the oldest son of Thomas. We just got away from him," I explain.

"Who's 'we'?" Buck asks.

"My brother and two sisters," I answer.

"Can ya bring them 'ere?" Buck asks. I merely nod my head before turning and racing back to the bushes.

I return a moment later with my three siblings tailing me. Buck notes the obvious cuts and bruises lacing our bodies. "Thomas 'urt ya, didn't 'e?" Buck asks.

I nod my head. "Yes. All our lives. I did everything I could to protect my siblings. I got hit more often as a result. Well, father brought your daughter, Whisper, in to be a family slave. I made a deal with her that if she helped my siblings and I escape, I'll help you save them all. Unfortunately, father came in at that time. He heard everything. He hit me. Mom tried to protect me, but father…he…he killed her. He then chased us out, so here we are," I explain.

"I…'m sorry 'bout yer mothah…" Buck whispers.

I look down, a few tears escaping my eyes. I sniffle softly. I feel a paw touch my shoulder. I look up to see Buck staring down at me. "It's 'kay ta cry, Colby. It's alright…" Buck whispers as he takes me into his arms. I try to pull away from Buck. I'm whimpering, trying hard not to cry. It doesn't take long before my feelings overwhelm me. I begin sobbing as I cling to Buck. Buck rocks me gently and strokes my back as I cry out years of pain and grief.

A few minutes later, I stop crying. I pull away from Buck. I sniffle and wipe the tears away from my eyes. Buck strokes my forehead. "Are ya alright now?" He asks.

"I…I tried to be strong…for my younger siblings…I don't want them to get hurt…" I whisper.

"I know. Ya are strong. Ya did yer best fer yer siblings. Yer mothah would be proud of ya," Buck soothes me.

"Really?" I ask.

"Yes," Buck answers.

"Thank you. Um…the deal still goes. I'll help you save your daughters," I promise.

"Alright, then, let's go. Oh, but first, let me introduce everyone. This is my mate, Taisley, my mom an' dad, my sistah an' brothah, Marie an' Timothy, as well as th' Saber, Diego, an' th' black weasel on top of 'im, Shade," Buck introduces everyone.

"Hello. Nice to meet you. Now, let's get going!" I state. Jayden, Lacey, and Kay clamber onto Diego and lay down beside Shade. I take the point position beside Buck. Together, we will rescue Buck's daughters. Together, we shall succeed.