Chapter 50

Sunrise Sunset

(pic coming soon)

"Era! Hey, Era!" I shouted.

"Hi, Shadow."

"Guess she's okay." I sighed.

"Yea, same old Era…" Nova laughed.

"Come on, let's get going."

'I still don't like this plan.' I growled.

'Oh tuff up. You must be the only person in the flock who is not okay with stealing.' Nova sighed.

'Be back in a sec.'

It was fast. Of course it was fast though, I'm fast. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I still feel bad for stealing though.

I finished up my latest entry and shot another glare at Nova, he just smirked.

My attention was stolen by Nudge's nonstop coughing. I handed her a cup of cocoa, it was getting colder each day. In fact, I think I saw some snow awhile back.

'It's soon, I can feel it.' I though shuddering, 'This is like the calm before a big storm. All the animals are hiding even below the cliff. Not a single squirrel in sight.' I complained.

'Well it's a good thing you aren't eating the animals anymore.'

"Ich, instant noodles. So, just ick." I moaned out loud.

"They used to be your favorite you know." Gazzy, unhelpfully put in.

"Yea, yea, yea. Just shut up and eat your cereal!" I growled. Nova started laughing hysterically and Nudge soon joined in, followed by Gazzy, Iggy, then Total.

I picked up Aditi and stormed off towards the water.

The main reason I hated this was because I was healing and getting better while the rest of the flock was sick in bed.

'Admit it, that's not the only reason.' Nova laughed.

'It's the main reason, but yes. I would much rather be hunting not eating instant noodles!' I thought back with a disgusted look on my face.

'Guess that's one of the drawbacks of being part wolf.' he laughed.

'Minor price to pay.' I responded, not able to resist a smile.

I loved being able to see again. I have watched the sunrise and sunset everyday since I realised I could see it. Even when I was puking every few minutes.

'Gross.'

'Get out of my brain if you don't want to hear things like that!' I countered.

'I wish.' he sighed.

Aditi whimpered from in my arms, she was reaching up at my face like a newborn baby. I could tell she was hungry.

"Here." Nova said from right next to me as he handed me a bottle of milk.

I gave it to Aditi and she started drinking it right up greatly.

"You don't have to be so hard on yourself you know."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"You feel like it's your responsibility to take care of the flock, but it's not. I know for a fact that they're capable of taking care of themselfs. Besides, you're only 16. It's not right to put the weight of the world on your shoulders."

I stared at him for a minute, dumbfounded. Was it really that obvious, or was it just the fact that he could read my mind? "Why wouldn't I take care of the flock when they need taking care of? We're a family and that's what we do. Also, I didn't put the weight of the world on my shoulders, just the flock. Saving the world is just a package deal."

"So if the flock wasn't in trouble but the rest of the world was and you were the only one that could help them, you wouldn't bother?" he quizzed.

I glared daggers into his eyes, mad at him for being so, so, yea! Also mad it him for being so right too. Of course I would do it. Even if my flock was safe I would do it. Even if it was just one person in danger, I would do it. I knew he was right, but that only made me more mad.

He smiled smugly at me as he listened to my thoughts. "I going for a fly." I growled angrily as I shook out my wings and handed him Aditi, who was now snoring away.

I took off into the sky and morphed into my wolf form. I heard Nova sigh from below me. I heard the leave crunch beneath his feet as he walked back to the flock. I also heard a herd of elk running in the forest below. It was so, so, so tempting just to land right now and hunt them, but I knew better.

It's getting closer. The closer it gets the more anxious me and Nova get. I've been jumping at the tiniest of noises, which is annoying because I hear pretty much everything.

"Shadow!" I heard Nudge moan from camp.

"Coming." I called with a sigh. I ran there in an instant and put my hand to her forehead, "What do you need?"

"Can I have some water?" she requested.

"Of course." I replied picking up a glass a few feet away. "Here, drink up."

"Thanks."

"Your welcome." I sighed.

I got up and replaced the bowl that was resting by her head. I did the same for Gazzy and Iggy. After I had emptied their contents over the side of the cliff I came back and sat down on the grass.

"I'm cold." Gazzy complained.

I picked up another blanket and wrapped it around him. Doing the same, once again, to Nudge and Iggy.

Iggy was asleep, and it looked like the other two would pass out any moment.

Total was now with Era, after a long argument we decided it was best to let him go back and live in civilization for awhile. We decided this after I had gone through the journal and found out that branding does not work on animals.

Yawning I got up and went to go look for another bottle for Aditi. She has been going through them so fast.

"You should go to bed. I'll watch the others while you are asleep and feed Aditi." Nova offered.

"I've gotten as much sleep as you have." I pointed out.

"Yes, but I don't go running all over the place and exhaust myself out." he countered.

"Fine." I muttered, climbing into a sleeping bag, "You win. But when I wake up it's your turn."

"Go to bed." he sighed, but I was already asleep.

(end of chapter 50)