Runaway: Forest dwellings

Runaway: Forest dwellings
Author: Ducky458
Type: Narrative
Rating: Moderate
Status: Complete
Series: Runaway
Preceding: None
Succeeding: Runaway: To the Skies

As a new writer, I hope you enjoy!

(And disclaimer, there are some things these animals can and will do that they cannot in real life)

‘Listen, where I once lived, no one liked me, not even the human cubs, they hated me for my looks, except for my owner. He was the only one who cared.’ -Setekh.

Prologue

“You traitor, how could you!” A tortoise-shell cat yowled at a tall brown bear with a scar across her muzzle. Blood trickle down the cat’s face as her claws unsheathed. She pounce onto the bear in a flash, tearing at her fur.

“You are and your son are a danger to this forest! As long as I’ve known, you’ve allowed him to grow into the monster he is! How could you Net!” The bear growled, pushing Net away, she fell onto the ground, deep gashes line her torso. A slim black sphynx leapt out of the shadows; attempting to take down the bear. The bear swipe her paw at the sphynx’s face as he hit a tree; his back left leg taking the impact as he fell down onto the leaves. Net shakily got to her paws and dragged the sphynx to a sheltered place. Her teeth were stained red, her soft green eyes blazed in the light.

“He’s the only family I’ve got left!” She hissed, “Mother Bear, I was your best friend, look at us now!” Net started to weep. She ran to Mother Bear for one last hit, she struck her stomach, Mother Bear growled, biting onto Net’s face. Blood splatter onto the forest floor as Net fell onto the foliage. The sphynx gazed at the scene, he slowly got up. A quiver in his voice.

“My, mother…” He mutter, his worry slowly turned into a slight chuckle. His tone then turned accusatory. “You killed my mother!” His eyes narrowed with a lick of anger. “My mother…” His tail sway low, a snarl in his voice, “and because you killed her, I think it’s time you start running,” he started to pick up speed, his leg aching as he sprinted towards Mother Bear.

Chapter 1

Claws slashed across her neck. A gashing wound opened within seconds as a bear fell to the ground. A sleek, black sphynx cat with bold amber eyes stood upon her body. His head turned up proudly as his eyes shone as bright as the sun. His ears twitched as he felt breathing, he opened his mouth wide, swooping his head down, fangs piercing her skin easily, the moving stopped. He stood back up proudly again, his expression softened as he look to a fallen cat, but a small bear cub caught his gaze, The cub whined as he approached.

“You, you killed me mum!” He growled as he charged towards the cat, and In a heartbeat, he jumped over the cub swiftly, Slicing the top on his muzzle, and over his eyes, the cub tumbled over and looked to the floor to see two drops of blood fall.

“I am Setekh, remember my name!” He snarled, red teeth bearing, “run, little cub, before you grow to be as despicable as your mother. She’s the real villain,” without a second thought, the cub got up, he glared at Setekh, backing away before retreating into the trees.

A moment of quiet filled his mind. The trees slowly sway in the wind. He heard a rustle, his eyes darted around to find the source, an owl flew down, he crouched off his kill, his claws unsheathed and his tail swaying, ready to strike.

“Do not be afraid, I am Horus, a humble owl.” The owl chirped, his feathers were as white as snow. His tone was sophisticated, almost of a higher ranking. He landed upon Setekh’s kill.

“I’m not afraid of such aviary nuisances,” he hissed, standing back up. Horus looked to the dead bear, he looked towards her muzzle as a small scar lie across, his eyes widened, an electrifying tingle went down his back, he shook his feathers as he looked back to Setekh.

Chapter 2

“Did you just kill the Mother Bear?” He shivered, Setekh tilted his head.

“Yes, I killed a mother bear, just because I am a cat doesn’t mean I can’t kill such an animal, you know me! I am feared across the forest! And she tried to kill my.. my friend. I had to fight back!” He hissed, the expression on the owl’s face would not change. His white feathers looked even paler.

“No, you killed THE Mother Bear…” Horus snapped, his feathers flew into the air, his voice echoed through the empty forest.

“So what? She’s just a bear,” Setekh groaned.

“No, she is the ruler of this forest, everyone knows!” Horus cawed. Setekh sat on his haunches. Thinking hard.

“Out of the six lives I have lived, I don’t remember there being a ‘Mother Bear’, you must be lying, too bad I don’t eat bears, but an owl might make a tasty meal,” he threatened. His claws glinted in the light as he narrowed his eyes. Horus stood to his full extent, towering over Setekh. He winced out of instinct, but he show no fear.

“She does not wish to be guarded and to live in a fancy den, she respects us and lives just like us, but with power and responsibility, and you just came and killed her because your friend died! Where is her cub?” The owl flew up as Setekh ignored him and pounced up high, grabbing Horus’s talons, “let go you hairless rascal!” Horus yelled, he looked up to see a branch infront of him, Horus flapped his wings, slamming against the branch, the two plummeted down to the forest floor before Setekh tried to untangle himself, they rolled over in a flurry of feathers as leaves tossed around, the two leaned over a ledge as Horus’s wing brushed against Setekh’s muzzle, he clawed at his wing, losing balance, falling down, hitting rocks and trees.

Chapter 3

Setekh awoke, his amber eyes flickered across the place, he slowly stood, his joints ached as he heard a slight pop coming from his back leg. He decided it was nothing as he started looking to the side where Horus lie on the floor. The warm and dry air blew onto his skin, summer had started. Furthermore, he walked off, trying not to look back, but alas he had to turn around. Something inside him felt, different. He has never held a proper conversation before, even if it was more of an argument. He felt sick about it. His vision became lighter, a faint glow of gold, it annoyed him before he heard a voice.

“Setekh….?” A soft voice echoed, he turned his head, ears perked. A young fox pup crept out of the bushes, “is this you, the one everyone fears?” She softly spoke.

“Of course it is!” He snapped, snarling at the fox, he was smaller for sure, but still stood his ground. The fox tilted her head foolishly before speaking up.

“Why is Horus over there, did you kill him…?” She mumbled, she did not have speck of fear in her voice, more of a concern. Setekh felt an itch within his skin, his growl built up as he burst out.

“QUIET!” His voice echoed. A few birds scattered from their trees. “How do you know who Horus is, I mean, you know who I am, but,” he trailed off, feeling that same sickly feeling as it built up even more, something like guilt, for the fox, but why? He closed his eyes tight before opening them abruptly. The fox stood still, her slow and heavy breaths did no effort to help him focus.

“Don’t you know, Horus is a very wise owl, and he is not very old at all, he was a fletching around three months ago, the whole forest was there,” She softly spoke, her tone was childish.

“Don’t you know what quiet means!” Setekh scowled, “So, you want a taste of death?” He unsheathed his claws.

“But, I already am dead, you killed me-“

“DID YOU HEAR ME?” Setekh yelled, not hearing what the cub said, he pounced towards the fox, his paw paused at her muzzle, she did not flinch at once.

“Oh,” the fox frowned. Setekh looked confused, “you don’t remember me,” the pup whined, her pelt becoming less visible as she slowly faded away, his eyes widened as he looked around, he stepped forward, nothing, just the leaves crunching underneath him. His surroundings looked dimmer, but it was still day, he heard hopping, he turned around to see Horus.

Chapter 4

“Were you talking to a spirit?” Setekh quickly turned around startled.

“What do you mean?” He hissed.

“When you communicate with spirits, a unique glowing pattern appears. It is different for each animal,” Horus preened his feathers, his left wing kept painfully still.

“But, we’re animals, not those made up creatures that humans have dreamt about!” He hissed, towering over Horus as his back arched high. The wind whipped around warm gusts of air, the leaves whirled in circles around them. A crow spiralled down, her caw was menacing. She landed, her small beady eyes blinked furiously as a cloak of silence fell upon them

“You are the one who killed the Mother Bear!” She cawed, “You will be caught and executed!” Her raspy voice was unpleasant to hear as she continued to scream., Horus felt aggravated, he spread his wings despite the pain in his left wing as he jumped up into the air, aiming at the crow. His talons piercing into her flesh, she fell to the ground with one last caw. Setekh looked at Horus surprised.

“What did I just do…” He backed away, looking at the crow, she didn’t move. He held his breath.

“She’s dead,” Setekh announced coldly, “you killed a crow, congratulations,” he spoke solemnly, “now let’s get out of here before anyone comes to get us,” he quickly turned around, walking away.

“But, I killed a member of the forest, I mean, a mouse is fine but a whole crow…” He shuddered, he slowly followed Setekh deeper into the forest. He questioned Setekh and himself as they walked deeper. Setekh recommended that they run, Horus ran as they both swept up leaves, Setekh looked to Horus, he cracked a witty joke that sort of cheered him up, but yet guilt still choked him.

Chapter 5

A coyote sniffed the air, he looked down to see a crow, she was cold, dead. His tail tucked between his legs.

“Winnoah, Tiff’s dead,” He barked, a caracal stepped forward. She sniffed the crow.

“Horus and… Setekh?” Winnoah tilt her head, “We need to catch him fast, and make sure Horus is okay,” she mewed, walking ahead, picking up a scent trail, “Snapper, how old is the scent trail exactly?”

“Three hour ago, fresh scent, we catch fast, we avenge Mother Bear,” Snapper growled, he ran forward, Winnoah followed swiftly. They ran though the dry air, picking up speed, they jumped over tree stumps and dove under logs as they saw a clearing, the trees parted as they stopped at soft white sand. “Uh, scent end here, no more smell,” Snapper sniffed the warm air, trying to relocate them.

“There’s no way he could’ve swum, he hates water,” Winnoah spoke, her scarred ears flickered, it was just the birds chirping. She felt a glow on her fur, she looked at her paws to see red glowing stripes across her body, she turned over to Snapper who was dotted in green splotches.

“Winnoah, Bear, Mother Bear,” he whispered, she quickly turned to see a bear, on the water. She was graceful and elegant, Winnoah backed away from the water, she looked at the small scar on the bear’s muzzle, it was her, the Mother Bear.

“Mother Bear…?” Winnoah spoke, softer than her usual serious tone. A crow land beside her.

“It is I,” Mother Bear spoke, she looked to the crow next to her, “Tiffany here told me about what happened to her, I am very saddened,” her voice was smooth but full of grief, "And I am devastated at having to depart my son so soon.." She sat down, misty eyed, her silky pelt shone in the sun, a single tear slowly fall down from her face. Winnoah had never seen her this sad, nor did Snapper.

“Horus, he killed me, he’s working with Setekh!” Tiffany cawed loudly, her voice was no clearer.

“Horus? But, he’s an innocent animal, a wise young owl amongst the community!” Winnoah hissed, she was devastated, her heart churned colder, her claws unsheathed with a new sense of disbelief, she turned to her canine comrade as he too looked mortified.

“He has headed towards the human dens, hurry, catch them fast. The others shall tend to my grieving cub, and Tiffany shall guide you, goodbye brave allies," she disappeared, her fur fading away. Tiff flapped her wings as she flew to Winnoah’s side.

“It’s okay Winnoah, let’s get them, they’re only a hairless cat and an owl, you’re a caracal and Snapper is a wild coyote!” Tiff cawed, Winnoah slowly smiled, Snapper’s tail wagged. “But, first I need to check something,” She said, her wing expanded rapidly, it went right through Winnoah’s leg, Tiff gasped happily before running off to a tree, she phased through with ease, she squealed with joy before calming herself down, she mumbled something before taking off into the air. “This way!” She yelled, she started to fly towards the north, Snapper ran forward, Winnoah stood still for a second before following behind them.

Chapter 6

Setekh stopped at a log, catching his breath, he limped forward before sitting down, Horus sat beside him, he looked at Setekh.

“Are you sure you’re safe, what if you get caught?” He gasped for air, he look behind them both.

“They aren’t after me anymore, they’re after US,” Setekh spoke between breaths, his tail curl up to his body, his pupils slit as he stared aimlessly at the human dens infront of them, they line up perfectly, Horus turned to Setekh with disbelief.

“You dragged me into this whole mess, why did I even bother to follow you?” Horus’s head fell to his wings, Setekh felt a deep sinking feeling, a weight on his chest became heavier, his eyes, once filled with a glowing fire that blazed tirelessly had died out, he held out his paw slightly, before hesitantly pulling it back, he felt a rush of a warm feeling, it felt familiar, Setekh’s eyes slowly etched away, a flood of memories had come back to him. He saw three human cubs infront of them, he remembered all of them. He saw an adult human, and a small kit with amber eyes that wept infront of him. Setekh held his breath as they all faded away. Turning to Horus, he placed a paw on his back.

“Uh, I- I didn’t mean to, get you into this whole thing,” Setekh softly spoke, he was unsure, “Listen, I had a tough upbringing, I was once a- a pet..” Horus looked at Setekh, He glared at him with anger.

“That does not explain why I’m here, running away from the forest animals with you!” Horus snarled at Setekh. He felt a flurry of anger fill him up, his feathers shook as Setekh with-drew his paw. Horus closed his eyes, calming down. Setekh hissed slightly at the revolt.

“Listen, where I once lived, no one liked me, not even the human cubs, they hated me for my looks, except for my owner. He was the only one who cared. -No, what I mean is, we should go off to another forest and lie low for a while...” Setekh returned to his cold expression, his eerie aura returning. The two sat in silence.

“Setekh, you let go too easily, how can you just go to another forest without regretting your choices, knowing that they’ll keep hunting you down?” Horus’s talons pierced the log that they both sat on.

“Because I’ve done that three times before! Once I’ve had enough I leave,” Setekh unsheathed his claws, the two looked as if they were to fight, Setekh sat back down, Horus sniffled a bit, his misty brown eyes glare back at him. Setekh thought he had enough of this conversation, standing up, slowly walking onto the Dark Path of Fire, he place a paw on the black surface, he pulled back his paw in an instant, hissing to himself. “Don’t touch the Dark Path of Fire, this time it burns hotter than the power of three suns,” he blew on his paw, backing away onto the grass. Horus hopped over, he looked at a cricket jump onto the road, it quickly sprang back, he shook his head slowly as he looked at a human den, it looked more worn out and dusty, he saw the shade under the den, the other human dens didn’t have any, the summer heat was absorbed by his feathers, making it more hard to stand out.

Chapter 7

Winnoah sat in a shady den, Snapper by her side. They’ve been searching all morning and the weather was too hot for them, even in shelter of the thick trees that only amplify the affect. Snapper shot up, his ears flickered, he heard whimpering. A bear cub was outside, guided by a large, scarred bobcat. Her structure was stocky and stiff and her fangs were crooked but sharp. Winnoah stood up and ran to the cub, seeing a small scar on his nose and eye.

“Asahave!” Winnoah ran to the cub, concern flooded her voice as she checked him for any other wounds, the bobcat spoke up, her voice was low and unwelcoming.

“Watch it! He’s injured, offspring of the Mother Bear,” she hissed, Winnoah wouldn’t back off, she turned to the bobcat.

“I know what I’m doing! Asahave, are you okay, what happened?” Their squabbling had caught the attention of Snapper, who walked up to Asahave.

“M-me, me mummy, s-she’s been killed by Setekh!” Asahave whimpered, Snapper growled.

“Grrrr, Setekh bad, Horus good but he no more good now,” Snapper looked deep into the forest, his pelt stared glowing with green splotches, Asahave had purple swirls, Winnoah had red stripes and the bobcat had pink speckles, they all turned to see Tiff, she strode down towards them from the den.

“Asahave is alive! That's a relief, and Willow," she looked at the bobcat. "I know you’re old and you don’t really trust the younglings, but Winnoah knows what she’s doing!” She cawed, they all turned to each other, they all agreed they had to tend for Asahave for now, but they would have to find Setekh, an elusive killer, and Horus, a seemingly innocent owl who turned on them.

Chapter 8

“We should stay under the shade over there,” Horus advised, “it’s too hot to go anywhere, we must stay until dark, the forest animals are too afraid to go near this place anyways,” Horus walked along the grass that followed a grey path, gazing at the Dark Path of Fire, every few steps there was a white line that was in the middle, he bumped into Setekh. Looking around dazed.

“The den is on the other side of this black path,” Setekh mumbled, “how will we get there!” He looked to Horus, “you can fly right? C’mon go!” He commanded, Horus stood still.

“My wing is injured! I can’t fly silly,” Horus scowled. He ruffled his feathers. Eying the shade under the den.

“Ello fella’s. You should get outta the sun, especially you, where’s ye’ fur at?” They heard a voice, the accent was unrecognisable, or even understandable. Setekh tried to find where the voice came from, right in front of the shabby house was a white fluffy dog with brown splotches and a hint of black, her eyes were as clear as the sky, she had some sort of bandana around her neck, and her paws were covered by something odd.

“What kind of dog is that, I have never seen a canine paler than a coyote!” Horus chirped to Setekh, the dog changed their mood.

“I’m an Aussie shepherd, loud and proud thank you! And I have never seen such a white owl before, nor a hairless cat!” The dog barked back, she sat under the shade, “You wanna’ get in the shade or not, if not then it’s your loss mate,” she stubbornly said, facing her head away from the two, though still keeping an eye on them.

“How can we get across if the Dark Path of Fire is in our way! It’ll burn us!” Setekh hissed, he wanted to get out of the sun as soon as possible.

“The what now? This is the road dummy, but I’ll take ya’ across,” She stood up, walking onto the road, the things on her paws stopped her from getting burnt, “Now get on, before the moving boxes squish our bones to bits, even if they do see us they don’t have good reaction times,” They hopped off and ran to the shade under the rusty old human den, relieved they both lie down, the dog wagged her tail happily, “Well, names’ Emma, forest animals aren’t cha’?” Emma barked, a silence followed, “C’mon mate, introduce ye’ self!” She was eager to get to know them.

“I am Horus, a snowy owl, native to this place,” he smiled warmly, Setekh looked at Horus. His amber eyes would gleam in suspicion of the dog.

“Why don’t cha’ stay here for a bit? The summer up here in Minnesota can be brutal!” Emma pleaded, her interest was at its peak, she playfully bowed.

“I don’t want to be a pet again!” Setekh hissed, snapping at Emma, she backed off.

“But Setekh, we would be safe from the others,” Horus advised, “and we would have some shelter, if we stay for a while, we could recharge and be off again,” Horus defended the idea that they would stay, Setekh sighed, the door creaked open. A tall, blonde human stood by the door, they all froze.

“Hello Emma, who’d cha’ got here, some new friends ay?” The human spoke, Setekh and Horus both froze in fear. The human pat Emma on the head, she look at the two animals, “some forest folk over here?" Emma wagged her tail at her owner's presence. "Awh, why don't I take em' In for a while, then I'll call the shelter okay girl!" She smiled.

Chapter 9

Asahave sat by a pile of rocks, he placed a daisy by the foot of the pile.

"Mum, what Setekh said about you, is it true?" He awaited for a a response, his pelt didn't glow, he didn't feel a presence. Only the warmth of the sun saying its goodbyes. And the gentle breeze that the moon used to hush the forest asleep. Winnoah called to him. He said his goodbyes and crept back into his den.

If you want more, head over to Runaway: To the Skies