Chapter Two
The Hollow

"I can't believe this! No T.V. for a week!" I was listening to the humans again. It was my regular hobby when Husky was exploring around. I didn't go because I was banned from even going near Jacob and Chloe's house. I explored everywhere but around there because that house extends from the road to the woods. Woods? Wait a minute I've never explored there before. I gotta wait till Husky comes back. Wait, no I don't. Ok, maybe I do. I ran outside and smacked right into Husky.

"Husky! Husky, let's go to the forest!" I jumped up and down with excitement.

"Emma, what for?"

"We can explore! Let's go now!"

"Ok, Ok Emma. Don't worry I'm coming." I saw a flash of fear in his eyes. I asked him why. He didn't answer.

I raced ahead of him so he wouldn't turn back because he can not resist having a race. He sped up, trying to catch up to my amazing speeds. "Emma, tree!" I looked back in front of me and saw a huge tree looming overhead.

Since there was no time to go anywhere else, I scrambled up the tree then leaping off with such force I landed right at the tree line. I called out, "Beat You!"

"No way!" He leapt at me and I ducked. He crashed right into the bushes at the tree line. He leapt again but this time I wasn't ready for it. Husky pulled me down and tussled with me until I struggled free, nipping his ear softly as I went past. He sighed and pretended to be dead.

I walked slowly towards the forest calling out "I guess I'll have to go into the forest by myself."

He ran towards me knocking me over and yowling "Oh, you so sure about that!" He had an evil glint in his eyes. I hunched down prepared for any move that Husky could make. He didn't do anything. Why isn't he doing anything? I wondered. My tail was flicking and I told it to stop.

Then he leapt at me. I jumped high into the air so he crashed into the bushes again. I yawned and said "We will continue this later but not now."

We walked into the forest. I was amazed at all the strange smells and sights. Suddenly, a gunshot fired. Husky said "You know how you asked that question earlier and I didn't answer? Well, That is my answer."

"Stop standing around, let's go!" I turned around and ran. Shot after shot fired past us. My instincts were telling me to go faster but I couldn't go any faster. I suddenly was able to kick up the speed a notch. Up ahead the brush got thicker. I tried to slow down but I slid through the brush and fell into a hollow. It had to be at least 20 feet up! I screeched with terror as I fell faster and faster towards the ground. I suddenly saw Husky as I twisted through the air, he was staring with absolute horror at me falling. I suddenly hit the ground and then everything went black.

"Oh my god!" It was Sarah. Wait, no it couldn't be. I was in heaven now. Did she die too?

"Wake up Emma! Wake up!" Sarah and Husky were both yowling. I blinked a few times trying to stop seeing stars.

"You're alive!"

"Of course I am. I wouldn't be talking to you now if I wasn't."

"Of course. We were so worried that you were dead!"

"Um, just to take care of the important things, what are we going to tell Emma's mom! That she almost broke her neck falling into a hollow when she isn't even supposed to be out here without her mom knowing!"

"Oh god." I mumbled. Of course everything I do is almost getting me killed.

Sarah swatted my shoulder. "Wake up Emma!"

"Ow. You don't swat someone who is hurt."

"Sorry. What do you think we should tell your mom?"

"Tell her that I had to stay at your or Husky's house. Ok?"

"Can you get up?"

I tried to stand up and cried out in pain. "Just Fine." I said through gritted teeth.

"No! You're not!" Mom! I turned my head around so I could see. It wasn't mom. It was….it was…. Who was it?

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"My name is Leaf." the she-cat said. "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"How did you fall off, Emma?"

I blushed. "I was running from the hunters when I fell into this hollow."

"Oh." I felt sorry for her, coming to see what the commotion was and then seeing me.

"Stay here!" she demanded.

I nodded and said to Husky and Sarah, "Don't worry, she'll take care of me."

Husky frowned and said "We'll go if that's you want."

"It is." I paused, "Take care!"

Sarah nodded and slowly started to walk away. Suddenly, Sarah turned back and yowled "We'll be back!" to the sky.

The next day I was able to walk around a little, but just around the hollow. "You should be able to start hunting tomorrow."

I was puzzled. "Okay."

Leaf woke me up the next morning. "Can you walk alright?"

I got up and stretched. "Yeah."

"Well then let's go hunting!"