Chapter 10 Plans and Promises
Humphreys POV
The forest, such a simple thing yet it spelled out death beyond the cave walls. Wearily I observed what protected my new family and I found that it was unsatisfactory. It was simply a cave with a few side tunnels and rooms. Sighing I turned my head and saw the moonlight spilling through the tiny pocket to the dangers of the outside world. I padded over to it and peaked outside wishing that I had the courage to take my family to safety. I saw through the meter thick tunnel the forest covered in shadows and darkness that threatened to swallow everything in its path. Quickly I retreated back into the safety of the cave and walked over to where Kate and Grace lay cuddling in the corner. Sighing again to myself I wished that the last few days could have been more then cowering in fear, but I was glad to have adopted Grace as Kate and I's pup.
I smiled as Grace rolled over and licked Kate's cheek. Gently I lay down beside them and whispered in Kate's ear, "I love you." She smiled in her sleep and pressed her face into my chest. I hugged them both tightly in my arms and promised them that no harm would ever come to them again. As I closed my eyes I knew that tomorrow we had to leave, not for our own sake or for that of the packs. But for the sake of our adopted pup that I had come to love as my own. I asked myself how we could escape the forest, it just seemed so hopeless. I knew that Kate went out hunting rabbits or squirrels sometimes in the day but at night the forest changed. It became shadowy and hostile. I had seen no sign of the terror in recent days but had noticed other shapes and forms of hostile creature lurking just outside the cave walls.
I shivered at the thought of the creatures separated only by the rock above me and I pulled my family closer. A desperate plan began to formulate in my mind and I heard the distant screech of the creatures and the rustling of leaves marking the Terror stalking yet another victim for the first time in recent days. I whispered to Grace and Kate, "Were getting out of here soon." Grace opened an eye and whispered, "You promise?" I nodded and replied, "Of course, I love you both more than anything and I will make sure you both get out alive." Grace smiled and said, "Thank you dad." I nodded and smiled thinking, "I never thought Kate and I would be able to have a pup, but I'm glad that we can now. Even in these grim conditions." I thought bitterly." I saw Grace fall asleep again and I began to drift off to sleep as well. I closed my eyes thinking, "I promise that I'll get us out."
As the dawn approached I opened my eyes and saw that the sunlight was spilling through the little pocket that separated my family from the hellish creatures that stalked the forest at night. I nudged Kate awake and she sat up startled. I whispered, "Were ok, nothing's going to get our family." Kate relaxed a bit and whispered, "I had the worst dream." I pulled myself up and asked, "What about?" She teared up and said, "I dreamed our family was torn apart but whatever is out there!" She started sobbing and buried her head in my chest and said, "Were not going to make it out of here are we?" I hugged her tightly and whispered, "Were getting out soon." She looked at me through tears and asked, "How, the forest works against you. Remember when I almost got trapped out there when I went hunting?" Tears sprang from my eyes at that memory, I whispered, "I do but I'll make sure that you and Grace get out alive." Kate shook her head, "Were a family, we all make it out." I nodded but knew that I would make sure that they survived no matter the cost.
I hugged Kate tighter and told her the plan that had begun to form in my mind. She remained silent until I had finished and she whispered, "It's too risky, you can't do this." I shook my head and said, "We have no choice, the food is running out and we have to go further each day for water. We won't survive out here much longer." Kate started to sob again and I hugged her tightly and whispered fiercely, "You need to stay strong and get out of here with Grace." She nodded still crying and I wiped away her tears with my paw and I told her, "Kate I love you more than anything else in my life. You're who I live for, you're the reason I exist. So I will protect you and our pup with my life." She started to shake her head and I stopped her, "Kate, I love you with all my heart and I will survive." Smiling weakly I finished, "After all I did survive the flood and getting smacked in the head by that log." I rubbed my head and saw she needed one more push.
I asked her, "What would your father do?" She looked at me surprised and said, "He would protect us with his life." I nodded grimly and said, "I will survive but you and Grace are my first priority. Kate nodded sullenly and I said, "I will be trying to stay alive you know." She smiled grimly and nodded. Saddened I knew that if I did die Kate would fall apart so I steeled my nerves and promised myself that I would get us all out alive. I walked over to where Grace lay sleeping and nudged her whispering, "Grace, wake up. It's time we get out of this forest." Grace looked at me fearfully and asked, "How, I warned you how dangerous it is." I shook my head and said, "I have a plan." Grace looked doubtful but I saw hope in her eyes. I smiled warmly and picked her up by the scruff of her neck and deposited her on Kate's back. Kate smiled and we crawled through the opening and were blinded by the brilliant sun beyond the cave. I told Kate, "We have around ten hours before dark, let's get started."
(What plan has Humphrey engineered and will it work? Next chapter coming soon.)