The Three Nights - Chapter 8

Instructions

EIGHT Raven’s Taste of Empathy MoonPack It was late at night, Raven assumed. The cave seemed less stuffy and dark, probably because Raven knew its inhabitants. Everyone was awake, luckily. Homelike as the cove was, Raven would rather not be alone. Dapple was sprawled across the cave entrance, which was still hopelessly barred. He yawned a few times. One of the striped wolves, Trixx, sat stretching. Her twin brother, Mixx, was lying with his eyes directed towards the ceiling. A dark brown wolf Raven hadn’t noticed earlier was sulking and baring his teeth at Dapple. Dove was sitting next to Raven, thumping her tail quietly. Now’s the time to speak, thought Raven. I’ll tell them my escape plan. But before she could open her mouth, Dapple walked over. “Don’t be afraid to speak.” Raven jumped. She hadn’t noticed him, and he seemed to read her mind. “Oh! Er…” “Citizens of Bass's Cove, all hear!” shouted Dapple. “RAVEN HAS SOMETHING TO SAY!” Well, he’s not afraid. Raven thought. Dapple strutted back over to Raven, giving a satisfied smile. “What are you waiting for?” he whispered. “Get up!” Raven blushed and climbed up to a large gray rock in the center of the grotto. “Citizens,” she said. She had an immediate dislike of the word. “Society,” she tried, wincing. “Friends!” she yelped, voice cracking. The cave echoed with the sound of her voice. “Friends, I came to this… well, this residence last evening, to be exact.” There were a few mutters over her choice of words- residence seemed unfitting for such a tortuous cavern. “I was…” she blinked, shaking the thought. “I had a few misgivings about you. You all seemed a bit…” Raven blanched. “Crazy.” she admitted. Trixx gasped, but Dapple just snorted. “I know, I’m sorry. I have seen many changes since I stayed here. I made friends, and I found home here. I hope that…” Raven swallowed. “She hopes that we can find a way out of Bass's Cove. We will, that is, if we all work together.” cried a voice. A silver wolf turned to the crowd. Raven did a double take. “Who are you?” The silver wolf sighed. Her breath was like icicles falling on snow. “Spirit.” she whispered. “Oh.” Raven blinked. She was barely heard over the howling applause of her peers. I can’t hear myself. This is chaotic. I can’t even think straight! Raven thought, concerned. Suddenly the noise died down. Huh? Dapple twirled in a circle and barked. “It’s King Squirrel!” Everyone dashed for a moss bed and acted as calm as possible. Raven, stunned as she was, threw herself onto the last bed. There was a rap at the door. Silence. Then another knock. The stone door began to roll. A large gray wolf with gray markings on his face poked his head in. “All right,” he snarled. “I know you’re awake. Up, all of you.” Trixx came first, dragging her feet as if through thick mud. “Here sir,” she murmured. The wolf made careful eye contact with her, then nodded. “Mixx.” he said blandly. Mixx marched up briskly. “Here.” “Next.” said the gray wolf after inspection. “Spirit.” Ditto. “Ragtag.” The dark brown wolf stalked to the wolf, contorting his mouth in confusing fashions. “Here, you moth-headed fool,” Ragtag cursed, confronting the jailer. King Squirrel stepped forward. “Step back. You ain’t worth a minnow’s tail, and we all know it. Say another word, and I have permission to exterminate you.” “Ooh, big words,” badgered Ragtag. “I’m scared. Little Wordy Wolf is using his brain for once.” King Squirrel snatched at the air, but Ragtag ducked, shouting all sorts of unwritable curses as he bobbed and swiped. A few minutes passed, and Ragtag was hit square in the nose. Blood streamed out. Raven closed her eyes, feeling queasy.