A Therian's Trail: Ch. 23 Book 3

Instructions

The heavy winds blew back my hair as we journeyed down the mountain. I tucked my hands in my coat pocket in desperation for warmth. As the ground sloped steeper and steeper, we had to zig-zag to avoid slipping off. Spruce and Ray traveled behind us. It's not like I wanted to see them anyway. I wonder where Garnet is now. Probably plotting somewhere in a dark cave... My thoughts began to cloud, and I zoned out, staring at the horizon instead of my feet. Shadow swiftly caught my shoulder before I could fall. "I got you," he smiled and let go of me. "Thanks," I blushed. Behind us, Spruce and Ray exchanged glances as Shadow and I talked. After about two hours, we finally arrived at the forest. Aspen dramatically collapsed into the mosses. "Finally!" he panted. "We're home!" "Come on, you silly goose," Bone helped him up. I inhaled the crisp, woodland air. Home at last. <><><><><><><><><><><> We all sat in our den, laughing at spooky stories and passing a bag of jerky. Spruce and Ray had returned to their human homes, saying the last place they wanted to be was with us. "It feels so good to be back home," Percy lay back into her moss bed. "Uh-huh," Ava mumbled, gluing a feather onto her bobcat mask. "We should go on a moonwalk!" Aspen suggested. I knew he really wanted to flirt with Bone. "Great idea!" Bone nodded, clipping on her silver fox tail. Percy stood, stretching and galloping outside on her fours. I raced after her through the night, with Shadow running beside me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Aspen and Bone holding hands, galloping through my field. I winked at Ava, who was joining Percy on the boulders. Panting for breath, I slowed, brushing dirt and bits of grass from my pants. The pack situated themselves on the boulders that lay in the middle of our field. Bone scooted up to me; I waved her over, giggling as she sighed contentedly. "So... how do you like him?" I whispered. "He's perfect," she mumbled, lying on the boulder and gazing at the stars. "You like Shadow?" she asked. I glanced over at Shadow, who talked quietly with Aspen and Ava. "Yes," I grinned. "Aww!" Bone squealed. "How long?" "A couple of years now," I admitted. "That's a long, healthy relationship right there!" Bone laughed. "Yup," I nodded. After a while, an idea popped into my head. "You should make Aspen a flower crown!" I insisted. Bone's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Yes! Perfect! He likes flowers!" she clapped her hands. "I'll help you," I offered. "Thanks," Bone smiled lightly. "You're a great friend." "Of course," I rested my head on the boulder, twirling a blade of grass with my finger. "What should I make for Shadow?" "Something heartfelt," Bone said after a moment. "Maybe a rose, a bracelet, some gear, or a drawing!" "Okay," I muttered, my mind formulating the perfect gifts for him. "Did I hear my name?" Shadow suddenly walked up. "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..." I didn't know what to say. "No," Bone shook her head. "You must have heard the word... um... bladow." "Bladow?" Shadow raised an eyebrow. "Yup!" I nod quickly. "It's the new word!" "Okay..." Shadow smirks, winking at me before walking away. "Thank you," I gasp for breath. "Heh, of course!" Bone pats my arm and stands. "Now. I'm gonna go make that flower crown." I stand to help her, but as I scale down the boulder, I notice a flickering light in the field. It's the wolf! He dips his head to me, his eyes relaxed, though his normally clear, ghostly form was now... almost glitching... As he fades away, I shake off my fear and hurry to catch up with Bone.