Chapter 21: Blaze's Past

MIDNIGHT

    Raindrops poured down on her and Blaze, forcing Midnight to escort Blaze to safety. It wasn't a thunderstorm, but the rain was very dense. "We should probably get out of Epsilon's territory... sis," Blaze said, then looked at Midnight. "May I call you that?"

    "If it makes you feel better," said Midnight, a raindrop cooling her nose.

    There was silence as the crickets sang their song along the pitter-patter of the rain.

    "I never really had a family," Blaze said.

    "Huh?"

    Blaze hunched his back, ears drooped. "When I was young, my mom told me... I was just really loud and outgoing, I remember her black coat and brown accents. I was an only child of that I was aware of," he started. "We dwelled in a forest with my father, a handsome and well-built red wolf."

    Midnight was silent, so Blaze continued, "We had happy lives, my mom teaching me to hunt as soon as I was strong enough. I was about eight weeks old."

    "Quick learner," muttered Midnight.

    Blaze seem to hold back. "You don't have to tell me," Midnight coaxed.

    "Theta never knew... I think... you should," said Blaze. "I... I feel like, we can be as siblings.

    Midnight stroked Blaze's back. "Oh, Blaze..."

    "You see, when I was barely a year old... there was a great fire. Animals bustle by, no matter if they're enemies or friends, they all ran side by side. My mom and dad... dragged me. Mom was caught behind, but even for a family, every wolf for themselves," said Blaze.

    "Why aren't your parents part of a pack?" asked Midnight.

    "Long before, my dad was one of the wolves sent out to start a new pack, but my dad wasn't into it, for he has found the one he has been dreaming of," said Blaze.

    A drop of water bounced off the leaf, splashing near Midnight's black paw. "Your mom."

    "Yes," said Blaze.

    Silence and there was the plink-plink of the raindrops on the forming puddles. "So, dad and I made a run for the river, as many animals has passed it. Dad accidentally tripped and twisted his leg, and I just... I just... I just couldn't leave him behind!"

    Blaze was screaming into the rain. "Do you know what it feels like when... when you love a father so much you can't leave him? Do you!"

    He sobbed for moments, the tears streaming down his face. "I... I sauntered over to him, I couldn't leave him, I told him... 'Get up, dad, get up', but he told me, 'Every wolf for themselves', and nudged me. I pulled at him! I pulled him up! He eventually got on the run, but he was limping. Near the river, many animals were crowding the place, and my dad pushed me ahead! He... I never saw him again. The last I did, well... he was trying to cross the river, and I lost sight of him..."

    "Blaze... I'm so sorry," said Midnight, nuzzling him with affection. "My condolences."

    Blaze was silent, sniffing.

    "My father was the chief of the pack. He might still be the chief now, considering... he was sick when I left him," said Midnight.

    "Y-yes?"

    Midnight growled. "He changed the rules, he made sure all she-wolves suffer to go on a long quest and back again. 'To show you're worthy of this pack and to increase your stamina', he said," she scoffed.

    "H-he did?"

    "Yes, the mean grouchie," said Midnight.

    Blaze's somber lips curved upwards, but instead of comforting Midnight, they looked like a shattered piece of a nightmare. Note to self: never try to make Blaze smile when he's sad.

    "Then, I succeeded... I was to become the next chief, but... guess what?"

    "What, sis?"

    Sis- that word made Midnight felt nostalgic and right at home at the same time.

    "The entire pack was gone when I returned, he took them all away from me!"

    Instead of sadness, Midnight's words were formed of anger and hatred.

    "I... I wouldn't do that," Blaze finally said, the droplets of rain decreasing into a faint drizzle.

    "My dad would," hissed Midnight.

    "I've heard," said Blaze, tasting the raindrop that fell on his tongue.

    Midnight stepped out of their shelter. "The rain's near to stopping now, let's go."

    "Should we find sister Theta?" asked Blaze.

    Midnight heard a distant shriek of a bird. "Let's just go... to Lambda's territory."

Author's Note: This week was really long. Anyway, I hope you don't mind me changing Blaze's story a bit so it's more believable? Nevertheless, I had fun writing this. The next Midnight part would and should be more on terms of the forest.

Foreshadowing?