“We will take you with us.” Frisky turned back to her. Alpine’s ears shot up and her red, bushy tail wagged happily. Frisky could tell she was making an effort to stay calm. “I’m glad you’ve come to the right decision. We leave tonight.” She sat down decisively. Frisky chased her tail for a few minutes to pass the time. Nip looked sulky. “Hey, at least we don’t have to stick with Alpine once we get to the forest, Nip. Isn’t that good?” Frisky said. “No.” Came the blunt reply. “For all we know, Alpine might demand more when we’ve gotten out of this animal death trap.” Nip curled his lip at her. Frisky stopped chasing her tail. “Why are you being so mean to everyone? Ever since we got to know Alpine, you’ve been acting like the world is ending.” “I just don’t trust her. There’s something about Alpine I don’t like.” Nip said. “You can’t prove that, though.” Frisky felt hot anger boiling up inside her. Why couldn’t Nip just trust someone who had clearly been helpful to them? By then, Frisky felt extremely hungry. She could seriously go for fresh mouse meat. § “Here comes lunch, pups!” Said the fox, a few hours later. Alpine looked pleasant. Seven humans, two of which were Alicia and Brady, came into the room where Frisky, Nip, Alpine and others were being held. They came with bags of stuff that they poured into little cups inside the cages. When it was Alpine’s turn, she wagged her tail, barked, and gobbled down half the stuff in the cup. It looked like rabbit droppings. Frisky felt a quick stab of revulsion and Nip looked vexed. “Well, why aren’t you eating, too? Aren’t you hungry?” Alpine asked incredulously. “Why would we eat rabbit droppings? It makes no sense!” Nip retorted. “It’s not rabbit droppings. It’s bacon flavored kibble!” Alpine said. “Don’t tell me you've never tasted bacon flavored kibble?” “We’ve always lived in the forest, Alpine, we never had the chance to eat human food like that.” Nip said, exasperated. “We’re wild coyotes and proud of it.” Nip puffed out his chest. “Of course, little pup. You should be proud. But it’s all we’ve got to eat and we must stay healthy for our escape tonight.” Alpine reasoned. She turned to take a mouthful from her cup. Nip looked mildly disgusted. Frisky didn’t need any more persuasion than that. She wanted to be strong and not hungry when they made their escape. She turned to the bowl, and took a deep breath. Then she plunged her head into it and bit into the ‘kibble’. It was sort of okay. “Hey, Nip, it’s actually not that bad. Come try some!” Frisky wagged her golden-brown tail. Nip sighed. “Fine. But only because I’m choosing to, not because any red-furred canine tells me to.” “Don’t call Alpine a red-furred canine! That’s rude! She’s being nice to you!” Frisky scolded. Nip just scoffed and took a bite of the stuff. Nip enjoyed the stuff, from the way his eyes gleamed, to the soft thump of his tail hitting the floor. Alpine looked amused. Nip swallowed and said, “But it’s what she is! She is a red-furred canine! That’s what foxes are, Frisky!” Alpine just laughed at the look Frisky was giving Nip. “I’m so sorry for the way my brother is acting. I apologize on his behalf and I’m sure he feels the same way.” Frisky told Alpine. Nip flicked his tail-tip over Frisky’s muzzle. “I can speak for myself!” Nip looked outraged. Alpine just laughed. Alpine laughed so hard, she fell on her side. From her place on the cage’s floor, she continued to laugh. “That pup’s got some spunk in him!” She hooted. “My, I’ve never seen that much liveliness in my kits, let alone any of the whippersnappers I’ve met in my life!” Alpine gave one last burst of laughter, then stood up and sighed with pleasure. She turned and ate the last of the kibble. Frisky did the same. Nip stalked to the corner with his tail lashing and with his cup, ate in sulky silence. Just then, a fight broke out between six dogs in their cages on the other side of the hallway.
(This will be in 3 parts bc this chapter is especially long)
