I think I'm uploading chapters more frequently now. Hey, thanks for reviewing, guys! ALSO,

I'm trying to make this story not so boring...so now at last my story will have a reason to be rated T.

FOR AWESOMENESS.

no, jk, for scariness. not like omg a ghost but like omgosh ur bleeding or noooo frodo died
not that i ever read l.o.t.r.
disclaimer: if i owned ice age, i wouldnt write a fanfiction. i would just make a movie. so i dont own ice age.
will there be a hard past revealed in this chapter? maybe...

Tabitha's POV

I ran. I didn't know why I was running, I wasn't so badly insulted, but it felt good. It felt good to be dodging things that could hit my head, it felt good to leave things behind. It felt good not to have to think about our situation.

However, it did not feel good to fall down a ravine in the dim, fading light.

I tumbled head-over-heels and felt something claw my back. I stifled a scream; it hurt, but I would not cry. It was probably nothing, anyway.

I came to a stop, and I lay there, looking at the dense jungle overgrowth above me. The gash on my back stung, so I sat up, thinking that when i got off the dirt it wold stop stinging. Obviously, it kept stinging. I hissed in pain, and heard a twig snap behind me. I turned around and saw something running. I heard it too: ragged breathing and mumbling under it's breath.

"Hello?" I felt around for a stick, or rock, or something to defend myself. Whoever, or whatever, it was stopped and fell to it's knees. Cautiously, I crept forward, ready to stab it's eyes out with the stick if need be. A cry escaped his lips (I was sure it was a he) and he clutched his head. It was then I saw the scratches all over his body, like when a crazy person tries to get rid of invisible mosquitoes all over that actually itch. "Hello?" I repeated, scared. He turned his head, and I looked into the bloodshot eye of my father.

"Dad?"

Universal POV

"Tabitha, where are you? Come back!" cried Melody. Manny felt incredibly guilty, "Melody, I'm sorry, I-" "Hush up, Manfred and help me find 'er so ya can apologize to her yourself." "Well excuse me for-" "You are excused," she replied coldly.
Manny promptly shut up.
The two (Ellie, Crash, and Eddie had stayed behind in case Tabitha were to come back. Also, because Manny insisted) turned their heads towards the sound of somebody running. Melody clutched the dagger Buck had left behind, and dropped it as she was ambushed. She stumbled back and grunted as she tried to keep her footing; Evidently, skinny fourteen- year-old girls could bring you down easily. "Tabitha, where the bloody heck have you been?" Tabitha didn't respond, but clutched her aunt, crying or making crying noises. "Shh, it's all right, you're safe now. Tabitha? Tabitha?" She pushed the girl away and held her at arms length to survey her. Her fur was messed up and burrs clung to her fur, and there was a long, shallow cut on her back.

Altogether, she looked terrified, like she had seen a ghost and come running through the wilderness to tell the village. "Tabitha, what happened?" asked Manny softly. Melody brushed away a strand of hair on the teen's face. "Come on, Tabby, you can tell us." Tabitha hiccuped, and tried not to cry. "We should get back to the camp now," said Manny. "No," said Tabitha, "W-we c-can't go yet." "What do ya mean, Tabby-girl?" Tabitha flinched at the old nickname given to her by her parents. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. Tabitha tried again.
"I found him."

"You found her?" inquired Ellie, coming to meet them. "Oh, Tabitha, honey! You're okay! Oh, let me see that cut." She spun Tabitha around, frowning. "Ellie, you know how to tend to wounds?" asked Melody. "A little." "Could you take care of Tabitha, then? I...We have something we need to take care of." "Sure," said Ellie, though she didn't sound sure. "Did you find Buck?" asked Eddie. Melody hesitated, "Perhaps."

After deciding that Tabitha was in good hands (or...paws), the dynamic duo of mammoth and weasel left again, in search of the swashbuckling weasel who had, unbeknownst to them, been reduced to shreds.