Shade's POV:
A day after we begin searching for Whisper and the others, we find ourselves a mile away from the tunnel system. My bite mark, scratches, and my ankle still burn like fire. It's pure agony. Even so, I insist that we don't stop. I will brave pain a thousand times over rather than risk Whisper getting hurt because we don't get to her fast enough. I refuse to let her get hurt. I love her! I just hope we can be together after all of this is over. I just need to trust that.
When we reach the very edge of the jungle, just before the tunnel system, we stop to make plans. I turn to Buck. "Buck, can you get me a lot of leaves, a slab of bark, and some water? Mud, too," I ask.
"Sure. Why?" Buck asks.
"I'm going to make a brace for my leg so I can walk. I'll get Whisper and your other daughters out while you deal with Thomas," I reply.
"Are ya sure? I mean, you're injured," Buck argues.
"I'm fine. I just want to save Whisper!" I argue back.
"Alright, then. I'll get th' stuff," Buck speaks as he heads over to the leaves. He pulls a bunch of leaves from the bushes and brings the leaves, bark, water, and mud over. I crush the leaves and spread the pulp over my ankle on both sides. I cover the pulp with the mud. I use a fire stick that Buck handed me and use it to dry the mud and cause it to harden.
I stumble to my paws, ignoring the slight twinge of pain in my ankle. I look up at Buck. "Let's get in there!" I speak.
"Wait. You need to follow me in there. I know the tunnels," Colby explains.
"Alright. Then, let's go in there!" Buck agrees.
Colby heads into the tunnels, us following close behind. We come up to a crossroad. "Left is the torture chambers. Right is the living chambers. The living chambers was where Whisper was the last time I saw her," Colby explains.
"Alright, then. Buck, you and I will go to the living chambers first, while the rest of you go to the torture chambers," I suggest.
"Sounds good ta me. Will Frost, Raska, an' Laurel be in th' torture chambers?" Buck asks Colby.
"I'm sure of it. I…I want to come with when you when you take care of my father. I want to be sure that he won't hurt us anymore," Colby states.
"Alright. Let's get that scumbag! Oh, no offence," Buck adds quickly, glancing at Colby.
"Non-taken," Colby replies. Buck's mother and father stay back with Jayden, Lacey, and Kay. The rest of us head off into the separate tunnels. Soon, we will save the girls (especially Whisper). We will be sure to come back alive.
A mere two minutes later, we come to the door to the living chambers. Buck slowly cracks the door open. We glance around the main room, noting the blood on the earthen floor. I spot the tears in Colby's eyes at the sight of the blood. I know it belongs to his mother. I put a paw on his shoulder, feeling his pain.
We soon become aware of muffled sounds coming from an adjoining room. Buck heads in that direction. We follow close behind. He opens the door. The first thing Buck sees is Thomas. The first thing I see is Whisper. Buck immediately tackles Thomas as I race over and untie Whisper. "Shade! You came back!" Whisper hugs me.
"Of course I came back! I love you!" I kiss Whisper full on the lips. All other sounds and events are completely blocked from my mind. Whisper is the only thing that matters in this life. She is my life, my entire world. No one will separate us ever again.
We break away, gasping for air. I become aware of a body lying on the floor. The body is that of Thomas. Buck is standing over him, his knife coated in Thomas' blood. Buck looks towards us. "He's dead. You're all safe, now," Buck speaks softly. His voice is shaking a little, I believe from the trauma of killing his older brother.
"It's okay now. We are all alive. That's what matters," I smile.
Buck smiles back. "You're right. Let's go ta th' others," Buck suggests. I help Whisper up. Then, we exit the chamber and begin searching for the rest of Buck and Whisper's family, as well as any other assailants. We are breaking free as one.