It has been a few days since Buck chose to stay with us. He is getting along well with my kits. I think they like him. If I didn't know better, I'd say he likes them, too. Buck has been helping out ever since he came here. He even goes out to find the food, considering that my ankle is still sprained. All in all, we're glad to have him here to stay with us.
Right now, we are enjoying another good meal. Buck is sitting with us, of course. He is watching me as I make sure that my kits eat every single bite of their food (and not try the trick of slipping it under the table).
When we are done eating, my kits go off to play. I begin clearing away the discarded portions from our meal. Buck helps me. When everything is somewhat cleaner, I turn to Buck. "What was your life like before you came here?" I ask.
Buck flinches a little at the question. "Wh…why do ya wanna kno'?" He asks.
"I'm curious. I mean, only someone who has suffered would find this place as a refuge. I should know…" I whisper the last part, hoping that Buck won't hear. I'm pretty sure he does, though.
"Well, I guess I c'n tell ya. First off, I was born in the northern part of the valley just above the ice. My mother's name was Avina. My father's name was Pine. Life was good for a time. I had the same life as any other young weasel. That is, until things changed…" Buck trails off with a sigh.
"What happened?" I ask softly.
"Sabers. Th…they came…an'…an'…" Buck looks away from me. I catch a glimpse of tears in his one eye.
I place my paw on his shoulder. "It's okay, Buck," I whisper soothingly to him.
"No! I's no' 'kay! They're gone!" Buck yowls, tears escaping from his left eye.
"Are you sure that they're dead?" I ask.
"I…I always assumed…when th' sabers attacked, I ran. Th' sabers chased me onta th' ice. Tha's when I fell through ta thi' world…I nevah saw them die…" Buck mumbles. He sniffles. I know that he's crying.
I stroke the back of Buck's head slightly. "Look at me," I order softly. Buck looks over to me. There are tears streaming down the left side of his face. His eye is red and puffy from crying. I grab Buck by his shoulders and pull him to me. "Buck, go ahead and cry. It's okay. Just know one thing, I understand what you're going through," I murmur softly into Buck's ear.
"H…how?" Buck asks in between his sobs.
"My parents were also killed by sabers when I was a young kit. I was raised by my older sister, Natalie. I know that my parents are dead, but yours may still be alive," I point out.
Buck doesn't say anything. I don't think he can. He's crying too hard. I just hold him and stroke his back. Buck's sobs turn into whimpers. His tears slow down. Buck pulls away from me. He sniffles and wipes the remaining tears from his face. Buck looks at me. "Thanks. 'm sorry 'bout yer parents," Buck apologizes.
"It's alright. It was a long time ago. I'll tell you what. Maybe, if I ever return to the world above the ice, you can come along. I can help you find out what happened to your family," I offer.
"You'd do tha'?" Buck asks. His eye is wide with hope.
"Of course I will! You're my friend, now!" I assure him.
Buck smiles. "Thanks. I…I fergot wot 't was like ta 'ave a fri'nd…So, thanks…" Buck shows his gratitude.
"You're welcome," I smile. I pause for a moment. "So…would you like to tell me how you lost your eye?" I ask.
"Well, now, tha's a betta story! At least, I's no' like th' sad stuff. 'ere goes! 't 'appened no' long afta I got ta thi' world. I was tryin' ta find a new home fer myself. I was stopped by a growl behind me. I turned around. I found myself face to face wi' th' eye ah th' beast. I didn't 'ave th' time ta react. 'e rose a claw an' slashed my eye out. I was flung back. I got up an' ran 'way wi' my right paw pressed against my eye socket. Th' beast chased me. I climbed up a tree ta try ta escape. I grabbed a stick to defend myself wi'. I wasn't able ta do anything, though. Th' beast closed 'is mouth around me," Buck pauses for effect.
"Wow! Then what happened?" I ask in that pause.
Buck laughs. "I almost died! 'owevah, I didn't. I climbed up 'is throat an' clung ta tha' gross, pink fleshy thing tha' dangles in th' back ah th' throat. I used 't an' swung right outta 'is mouth! I may've lost an eye tha' day, bu' I got thi'!" Buck tosses his knife in the air and catches it in his paw. "Fact is, afta tha' incident, I called tha' beast Rudy," Buck continues.
"Rudy? Huh. Funny name. Did it hurt when you lost your eye?" I ask, pointing to his eye.
"Ummm…Yeah, 't did. 't 'urt more afta I was done running fer my life," Buck answers.
"I'm sorry about that," I whisper.
"Naw…don' worry 'bout 't. Now, would ya like ta tell me why yer all down 'ere?" Buck asks.
I flinch. I look into Buck's eye. "I'll tell you tomorrow. It's getting kind of late," I point out.
"Alright. I'll 'old ya ta tha' promise," Buck replies.
I go off and put my kits to bed. Then, Buck and I go to our own respective nests. I curl up on mine in a cozy little ball. I turn my face towards Buck. "Good night, Buck," I whisper.
Buck turns towards me. "Good night, Sophie," Buck whispers back. I yawn and close my eyes. I am asleep in seconds.