Chapter 2:
He had no idea what time it was, or where he was as he opened his sore eye's and quickly shut them as the light from the sun setting hurt his head. He couldn't remember what happened and why his entire body hurt; until he suddenly felt something lick, his face and he remembered the Caracal's! He sat up too quickly causing his head to throb, he lay back down as his stomach rolled and he took deep breath's to calm it down.
"Not my smartest move!" He said aloud to himself, he rolled his head to the side and opened his eye's and saw the cub's laying beside each other their head's on their paw's looking at him. "Hey, guy's where's your mom?" He asked as he propped himself up on his elbow's just as Tufts came back into the clearing carrying prey she had just caught. "There you are! Look's like its dinner time huh?" Martin smiled as he watched the cat's eat and realized he was beginning to get hungry too and he was thirsty. He decided to get up and see how far he could walk, he needed help and no one knew where he was. He first sat up, as he did Tufts watched him she could sense something wasn't right with him, and knew it was serious. After getting used to the pain from sitting, Martin looked around for something to use to help him stand on his broken ankle that was now swollen, but he felt no pain and knew that wasn't a good sign. He saw a large rock near him so he drug himself over to it and tried pulling himself up, but couldn't he had no strength left. He sat back down defeated and hung his head feeling sorry for himself until he felt something nudging his shoulder, he looked up and saw it was Tufts and he smiled.
"You always seem to know when I need a push! How's your paw huh? I saw you limping when you brought back dinner, as soon as I get back to the other's we'll fix your leg up as good as new I promise!" Martin said as he petted her. "Now, how do I get back to the Tortuga?"
Meanwhile with Chris:
After the brother's separated, Chris had wondered around for a while, but didn't see any Caracal's. Tired, and hot he decided to head back to the Tortuga on his way he tried calling Martin to check in on him, but couldn't get through he smiled and figured he either broke it or lost it. He arrived back at base and after dropping off his thing's he found the others in the command center; he greeted them and sat beside Jimmy.
"Any luck CK?" Aviva asked.
"Nope! Martin's still out there so maybe he got lucky?"
"When did you see him last? We haven't been able to contact him since you guy's left!"
"Umm…I left him three hour's ago!" Chris answered Koki as he checked his watch. "He hasn't checked in?"
"No, and we can't get him either." Koki said worried.
"I'm sure he's fine! Knowing my brother he probably broke his pod, and is on his way back here now!"
"It's getting late Chris I hope you're right!" Jimmy added nervously looking out the window. "The sun's setting and there's no sign of him, I'm worried!"
"If he's not back in another hour then I'll go look for him!" Chris said as he joined him at the window trying to hide his own fears for his brother not wanting them to worry.
An hour later Chris who hadn't moved from the window since discovering Martin wasn't back yet turned and headed for the door, the other's stood and Aviva spoke stopping him.
"Chris where are you even going to start looking?"
"The last place I saw him! I'll check in soon; sooner if I find him!" Chris said as he left before anyone could say or do anything else to stop him.
He needed to find Martin something wasn't right he could feel it and it scared him, it wasn't like his brother to not check in or show up something was definitely wrong. He drove to the last place they had been together and quickly parked and got out turning on his flashlight, he looked around hoping to see him, but saw only animal's. He began walking in the direction Martin had gone shining his light in every direction hoping to see him. He called to him, but the only answer he received was his echo, and every so often, an animal would cry out, but no response from Martin. Different scenario's played in his head about what could have happened to Martin and none of them were good, so feeling his anxiety increasing he pushed all thought's out of his head and concentrated on finding him.
With Martin:
He had made it to his feet after a 10-minute battle with himself, he stood there as if he had forgotten how to walk, until he saw Tufts watching him and he smiled as he took a step. The first step was painful, but not as painful as he was expecting so he continued to walk keeping weight off his injured ankle as he did. It was a slow and awkward process, but he was walking and he couldn't stop smiling as he made his way to the path. As he neared the grass, he suddenly stopped as the distinct low rumble of thunder echoed across the night sky. His smile disappeared as he looked at the sky and knew he was in big trouble if he didn't find shelter before the rain fell, he looked at Tufts who was gathering her scared cub's together. She looked at him as if to tell him she knew where to go before with her cub's she took off, of course no matter how hard he tried he couldn't keep up with them. He lost them and looked at the sky as thunder sounded and second's later the rain began to fall, he was about to give up when he heard an animal calling out. In the second's of light that lit up the sky, he was able to see Tufts standing to his left in the doorway of a small burrow. He smiled to her as he followed her cries to the burrow before he joined them inside and sat down exhausted and in pain. He felt the cub's climb onto him and he winced from the unintentional pain and smiled before Tufts lay beside him too. He smiled as he watched the storm rage outside as he welcomed the warmth of the cat's bodies and their companionship even though they couldn't carry on a conversation with him at least their being with him was enough for him. Soon he found himself drifting off to sleep his last thought's before sleep took him over was of his brother and hoped Chris was okay and he'd find him by morning.
With Chris:
He stood starring out the window, the room dark a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He had been forced by the storm to give up searching for Martin, he returned to the Tortuga and after changing clothes and having two cup's of hot, chocolate to warm up he took up his vigil by the window. The others gave him his space all of them as worried about Martin as he was, but no one knew what to say to comfort him so they kept their distance. Aviva checked on him and her heart ached seeing Chris look so alone, he needed a friend so she went in and stood silently with him waiting for him to speak first.
"You know this storm reminds me of the storm Martin and I were caught in when we were kids. We had gone exploring and lost track of time, finally we realized we were an hour late for dinner and knew our parent's were going to be mad. We headed for home when a storm blew in so quickly we never had a chance to find shelter before we were soaked. I was scared and wouldn't move from where I stood, but not Martin he took my hand and he found a shortcut and managed to get us home, I never forgot how he took control and got us home safe. Now, Martin need's me and I can't even find a single clue to help me figure out where he is!"
"Chris don't do this to yourself! You'll find him; I know you will you're a Wild Kratt!"
"Its late you should get some sleep, we're heading out at first light to search!" Chris said not looking at her, she turned to leave he spoke stopping her in the doorway. "Thanks Aviva!"
"You're welcome Chris!" She answered as she smiled sadly and left.
The Next Morning:
As soon as the sun rose, Chris was ready to begin searching, Aviva, Koki, and Jimmy were ready not long after and they headed out. They decided to begin back at the place they had separated the previous day hoping now that it was daylight they'd have better luck finding him. They arrived and got out and began walking the same path Martin had, calling out to him praying he'd answer, but the further they walked they still hadn't found any trace of him. After awhile they came to the clearing where Martin had found the Caracal's and as they searched Chris found Martin's backpack and told the other's.
"Guy's its Martin's pack!"
"He was here! Maybe he's close by?" Jimmy said hopefully.
"Martin wasn't alone!" Koki said her back to the others.
"What? How do you know?" Aviva asked confused.
"Look!" Koki said pointing to a broken Zachbot.
"Zach!" Chris said angrily clenching his fists. "If he's hurt Martin I'll…"
"Wait! What's that on the bush?" Aviva asked pointing to a nearby bush.
"Its fur!" Chris said as he went, picked it off the branch, and did a quick scan that told them it was Caracal. "He found a Caracal, and Zach found them!" Chris said upset.
"If Zach has Martin why hasn't he tried to contact us?" Jimmy asked.
"Maybe Martin found Zach trying to capture the Caracal and rescued it, but got hurt?" Koki suggested. "He might be close by?"
"What are we waiting for we have a missing Kratt to find!" Chris said as they began searching again.
With Martin:
He woke the next morning feeling like he was burning up and knew he wasn't doing good and if the other's didn't find him soon he'd be worse by evening. He sat up and realized he was alone and didn't like it, he was about to try going outside when the cub's came running inside. He smiled as they greeted him, before second's later Tufts came in and came up to him, she sniffed him and when she looked at him, she seemed tense. She lay beside him as they watched the cub's play every so often she'd sniff him and seemed different after. After doing it for what seemed like the 100th time, she got up and gathered the cub's together beside Martin and with a lick to all three she turned and left them. He was confused by her behaviour, but feeling tired again he lay his head back against the cool wall and closed his eyes. He drifted in and out of sleep over the next couple of hours; when he was awake, he'd talk to the cub's telling them all about Chris and the others when he slept he dreamt of being with them. With each passing hour, Martin was beginning to doubt they'd find him, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep himself together. His thoughts were full of Chris, he needed to be strong and keep fighting for him, he couldn't leave his little brother alone!
With Chris:
They had searched for what seemed like forever, but was only three hour's and the only thing's they found were more ruined Zachbot's and a broken cage. Chris was going crazy, he knew Martin was close he could feel it, but they couldn't find him anywhere. They headed back towards the clearing when Jimmy felt like they were being watched, he looks and see's something hiding in the grass and nervously tells the other's about it.
"Umm…guy's we have company!"
"It's a Caracal!" Chris said amazed at being close to the animal he and Martin had been searching for. "She's beautiful isn't she?" Chris asked as she came out of hiding.
"How do you it's a her?" Koki asked.
"She's nursing!" Chris pointed out.
"She seems nervous!" Aviva said as they watched her pace in front of them. "She's limping; I think she hurt her back leg."
"I'll check her out if she'll let me get close enough!" Chris said as he began to slowly get closer to her. "Easy girl, we're friends! Let me see your paw huh?" He asked, as he got close enough to her to let her smell him. As she did, she realized that these stranger's weren't going to hurt her and the one in front of her smelled like her human friend. She knew they could help him, so she turned to leave, but only went a few step's before stopping and looked back at the human. Chris was confused, she began whining and when he looked into her eye's he swore he could sense she wanted him to follow her.
"She…she want's me to follow her! I'm going to go with her you guy's get back to the Createrra and wait for me to contact you." Chris said before he got up and began following the now running Caracal.
He wasn't sure where she was taking him, but something was telling him he needed to keep following her it was important. She was a lot faster and was able to go place's he wasn't and unlike the cat he wasn't able to keep his balance over certain obstacle's, and he fell a few time's. He lost sight of her a few time's and just when he thought he lost her for good she'd reappear and wait for him to catch up before she took off again. Chris realized they were headed back to the spot where they had found the pile of Zachbot's and was confused knowing Martin wasn't there they had already searched there. He fell again and got up angrily and as he brushed the dirt off him, she appeared ahead of him, he was scared and angry.
"That's it! I'm done! I'm not going anywhere with you! He's not here we already looked here!" Chris said as he sat down on a rock defeated and suddenly he felt a nudge in his back. "You know where he is don't you?" He asked her, he looked into her eyes and smiled. "Let's go!"
He followed her into another clearing they hadn't known was there and she continued running so he followed her. After running for another 10 minute's she stopped and as he came over the small hill he saw her and was about to say something until he saw the burrow. He called out to Martin, but got no answer he rushed to the entrance and looked inside to see his brother's bruised and battered body laying inside with two Caracal cub's sleeping with him. He went to his brother's side and checked to see if he was still breathing, he was relieved and let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding when he realized he was still alive. He looked over at the three Caracal's who stood nearby watching him, he smiled at them and not knowing if they understood he spoke.
"Thank you for what you did for him!" Chris tried waking Martin gently. "Martin? Bro, can you hear me? Its Chris!"
"Ch…Chris?" Martin asked weakly.
"Yeah, its me! What did you do to yourself?" Chris asked fighting his tears.
"Zach…he tried to capture Trouble and Mischief! I had to help Tufts!"
"Who…wait you must be Tufts?" Chris said looking at the momma Caracal, as the cub's ran over and began playing with Chris' bootlace's, he spoke smiling. "Trouble and Mischief I'm guessing?"
"Are they o…okay?" Martin asked his eye's closed again, he held onto Chris' hand tight.
"Yeah, I think Tufts has a injured leg though?" Chris answered.
"That make's two of us thanks to Zach!" Martin said making Chris angry.
"Okay, I'm going to step outside the burrow and let the other's know where we are and let them know to get the Tortuga ready for three special visitor's." Chris said smiling.
Later That Day:
After returning to the Tortuga with Martin and the Caracal family while Aviva and Koki took care of Martin, Chris with Jimmy's help tried to take care of the Caracal's. Chris tried to examine Tufts leg, but she was nervous and kept moving away from him no matter what he said or did he couldn't calm her down. He was getting frustrated and finally gave up after getting another new scratch to add to the many other's she had given him. He decided to give them some food and water and leave them alone for awhile to calm down, and now that he had nothing to distract him from thinking about Martin he began to pace. Jimmy watched him silently; just when he thought, Chris would wear a path in the floor the door to the room where Martin was being taken care of opened. Chris stopped and turned to see Aviva and Koki standing there, he couldn't see in the room, and it made him even more nervous Aviva spoke telling them about Martin.
"Well, he's going to be just fine in a few days!"
"Thank God!" Chris said relieved sitting down on a chair. "How is he?"
"He's sore, tired, and hungry. He's bruised, cut up; a couple needed stitches like his split lip. He has a couple of broken ribs; he has a slight concussion, a black eye, and a broken ankle. He'll be fine though, as long as he stay's inside and doesn't try to go on any creature adventures."
"I know my brother and it won't be easy to keep him inside or keep him away from animal's." Chris said smiling.
"Can we see him?" Jimmy asked.
"Sure! As long as you promise us you won't sneak him out?" Koki said as they laughed.
"Promise!" Chris and Jimmy said together.
"Good! Come on he's been asking for you!" Aviva said smiling as she led the way into his room, Martin was sitting up in bed and turned to face them smiling he spoke.
"Hey guy's!"
"Hey bro! How you feeling?" Chris asked as he sat beside his bed.
"Sore and beat up! How do I look?" Martin asked smiling.
"Sore and beat up!" Jimmy answered making them laugh harder, until Martin coughed.
"Don't make me laugh it hurt's!" Martin said as he stopped coughing and lay back.
"You're out of commission for awhile huh? I guess you could always keep JZ and the girl's company while I'm out on adventures!" Chris joked.
"Or…you could break me out of here and I could go with you on the adventures?" Martin said smiling.
"Now Martin we told you already you aren't going anywhere for awhile until you're healed! Or do we need to tie you to your bed?" Koki asked.
"Alright, alright I give! I'll be good!" Martin said smiling. "How are Tufts and her cubs?" Martin asked as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
"Well…they won't let anyone near them, including Chris!" Jimmy answered.
"They're just scared; they've been through a lot! They'll come around, Chris just need's to do what we Wild Kratt's do best!" Martin said on his way to sleep.
A couple of hour's later Chris sat starring into the eye's of an uneasy Tufts, he made sure he was a safe distance away from her having added new scratches to the other's she gave him. He sighed, he could do this he was a Kratt after all it was in his blood, and other animals took to him right away, he wasn't used to be rejected like this. Slowly he would creep closer waiting for her to tell him he was close enough and when she did, he'd stop and wait. He had just gotten closer again and was now waiting for her to calm down when the door's opened and the other's came in to see how it was going Aviva spoke.
"Hey CK, any luck?"
"I can't get close enough to check her leg!" Chris answered his eye's never left Tufts.
"Can we help?" Koki asked.
"I don't know? I can't get close enough I don't know how you guy's can?"
"She need's to have her leg checked, the four of us can do it!" Aviva said smiling.
"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you!" Chris said as he stood causing Tufts to as well. "Let's do it then." He said as Tufts began growling and hissing at them.
"What's going on?" Martin asked as he came into the room slowly.
"Martin? Why aren't you in bed? Ow!" Chris said as Tufts got him again. "That's it! I give up! You win Tufts! Its official she hate's me!" Chris said backing up.
"Come on bro, its not that bad!" Martin said smiling as he leaned against the counter.
"Oh no? My shredded arms are all the proof I need that she hate's me!"
"Let me!" Martin said as he sat down in a rolling chair and wheeled himself over to the table. "Come on girl, I told you about them they're friend's I promise!" Martin said gently as he began to examine her injured leg. "Good news its not broken! Its just a bad sprain, she'll need it wrapped and to stay with us until it heals in about a week." He said as he gently wrapped it before petting her. "There that wasn't so bad was it? Now you get some rest I'll be into check on you in a couple of hours."
Unable to sleep a few hours later Chris got up and went to check on Martin like he's done every half hour since he was found, and watched him sleep. After making sure he was okay he decided to go check on the Caracal's, he still hadn't made any progress with Tufts and he refused to just give up. He went in and found the cub's sleeping, Tufts lay keeping guard, he sat, as close to them as she would let him and watched them a smile on his face they were a beautiful creature.
"You know Tufts I never did thank you for what you did for Martin! My brother is very important to me and thing's could have been a lot worse if you hadn't done what you did. I…I don't know if you can understand me, but thank you for saving my brother's life!" Chris said his voice breaking, he turned away from her gaze feeling suddenly silly for crying in front of her, as he wiped away his tear's he felt something nudge him. "Tufts?" He asked surprised as he saw her sitting on the table in front of him, she wasn't hissing or growling she was actually purring he looked at her in shock until she nudged him again. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting you to let me anywhere near you! I meant what I said Tufts, you saved his life and I'll always be grateful to you for it! Can we be friends?" Chris asked smiling as she answered him by licking his face. "Good! Its late, come on let's get you back to bed huh?" He said smiling as he helped her get comfortable before he said goodnight, left, and headed back to his room where he finally was able to sleep knowing that they'd all be okay soon.
A Week Later:
The sun was almost fully up over the waking Savannah; today was a bittersweet day for the whole team, especially Martin as they were releasing Tufts and her cubs back into the wild. They all had grown close to the cats, Tufts had become friends with all of them, but she and her cub's had a special bond with Martin. Martin was beginning to heal from his wounds and couldn't wait to heal completely so he could rejoin Chris on adventures. The team said their goodbye's to the cat's before the brother's took them outside, they stood together laughing as the cub's chased each other and played neither wanting to have to say goodbye. After an hour of watching them, they knew it was time, so Chris went up to where the three cat's stood and knelt on knee in front of them and spoke sadly to them.
"Well, its time for you to return to your home! I'll never forget you three, you saved my brother's life and finally trusted me enough to call me friend. We'll be back soon to see you I promise, go live a long, healthy life and don't forget us okay?" Chris said as he hugged Tufts neck and then hugged the cub's before he got up and walked to Martin.
"I'll give you some privacy bro to say your goodbyes." Chris said as he smiled sadly at his brother before he walked back to the Tortuga and watched the scene from the door.
"This is it I guess!" Martin said sadly, as he used his crutches to walk to a large rock and sat down holding his rib's as he did. The cubs began playing with his bootlace, while Tufts sat down beside him; Martin began to pet her neck as he spoke. "I will never forget all you did for me Tufts, you saved my life and whether or not you can understand me I wanted you to know that! We will be back to visit you so don't forget us, and when we come back maybe you'll be a grandmother Tufts?" Martin said as he hugged her neck. "Be safe okay?" He said into her fur, as she purred, he pulled away, picked up the cubs, and looked them in the eyes and smiling spoke. "You two be good for your mom and try and stay out of trouble huh? I'm going to miss you guy's, but we'll be back soon!" He said as he hugged them before putting them back on the ground. "Okay, guy's its time for you to get going, we'll see you soon!" Martin said as the cats took off running, but they stopped and looked back at him before they turned and ran off.
Chris stood watching as Martin sat starring out across the Savannah in the direction the cat's had gone and sighed, he knew his brother was going to miss them, but he also knew his brother never would have kept them. So knowing his brother needed someone to talk to he left the ship and sat beside him saying nothing, until Martin did sadly.
"You know Chris its time's like this that make proud of being a creature adventurer!"
"I know what you mean bro!" Chris answered smiling.
"Once I'm healed we're going to come back here and have one hell of an adventure with them!" Martin said smiling.
"Oh yeah!" Chris said smiling back at him, he noticed Martin seemed uncomfortable and spoke. "Come on bro, let's you back inside huh?" Chris said standing as he helped Martin up. "I'm glad you're going to be okay Martin!" He said seriously.
"Chris, I never did thank you for finding me!"
"You don't need too, its what brothers do for each other!"
"I love you little brother!" Martin said hugging him.
"I love you too Martin!" Chris said before pulling away. "Come on let's go!" He said as they walked back to the Tortuga and as Martin walked away, Chris stopped and looked back outside and sighed happily. As he watched the animal's living their lives, he knew that as long as his brother and him were around all animals would stay living free and in the wild!
THE END!