breath out slowly. 

“I didn’t do anything to your friends. Plus, I thought you were the only one on your little farm”

“I am. They were helping me so you wouldn’t hurt anyone”

“Well that worked out well” Solo snorted. “No strong man to protect little ol’ you?”

“I can protect myself just fine” Saphrina growled. “I don’t need anyone else”

“Seems like you don’t want anyone else either”

The dog frowned, not making eye contact and Solo raised his eyebrows. “Is there a story behind that?”

Saphrina nodded, no believing she was letting herself open up to the killer. “My mom and sister... had some trouble with a dog back in Nome. He killed my father’s first mate and got my sister pregnant. I know that not every dog is like that, but I haven’t found one that isn’t”

Solo nodded, face blank and unreadable. Saphrina furrowed her brow, angry he’d gotten her to talk so much. “Well I don’t see any girl following us dying to save you”

“Most of ‘em hate me” Solo admitted. “But there’s always another girl right after last one”

Saphrina snorted. “I’d be terrified to see what kind of family you came from! I wouldn’t be surprised if your own parents taught you all that”

Solo was quiet for a moment and Saphrina was tempted to look and see what kind of reaction she was getting. “Well at least my family didn’t teach me to avoid everyone” he muttered coldly.

“They didn’t!” Saphrina snapped, rising to her feet. “I picked that up on my own! And after meeting you, I’m glad I did!”

Solo sized up the small dog but didn’t get up. Satisfied, Saphrina was about to lay down again before the wolf added, “For all you know, your sister might have been asking for it”

Saphrina snarled, whipping around and knocking the wolf back onto his side. The other sleeping dogs began to shift, waking up. “You don’t know anything about my family! You don’t know what happened! You weren’t there!”

Solo raised a brow then grinned, opening his mouth to say something back.

“As soon as we get you back, you’re dead and none of us are going to remember anything you did. And the sooner we can forget about you the better!” Saphrina kicked Solo in his bad shoulder with all the strength she could muster, making him double over in pain, and sulked back to her spot, throwing herself on the ground. Shooter chuckled and started to talk but Saphrina cut him off. “I don’t want to hear it Shooter!”

All the other dogs had woken up, but no one else said anything, surprised that Saphrina was the first to snap. “Somebody else watch him” she grumbled, letting herself slip off to sleep.

     The next morning, Saphrina was grumpy and still tired. Not eating regular meals was starting to get to her and although there was an occasional puddle or stream to stop by, she was still pretty thirsty too. Snow still hadn’t fallen, but the damp, frozen smell of it still hung around.

“Start walking” Shooter jeered, shoving Solo forward. Solo grit his teeth but reluctantly started walking. Captain led the way and Ridge and Saphrina walked on either side of Solo. The other four walked behind, in case Solo tried to escape. For a while, they walked in silence until they had walked the sleepiness off. Then Nimbin sped up to walk next to Saphrina.

“So what was that abou’? Last night?”

“Nothing” Saphrina yawned. “Just let something get to me. Nothing that I can’t forget about”

“I already forgot about it” Solo said as he limped along. Saphrina ignored him.

“How many more days until we’re back?” Saphrina asked aloud.

“Two” Shooter answered. “Unless someone could suck it up and walk faster”

Solo grunted. “Where am I being taken to anyway?”

“We’re not telling you” Shooter smirked.

“Back to town” Captain called over his shoulder. “Where we won’t have to worry about you anymore”

Solo nodded, considering it as if it was no big deal.

“Shouldn’t a told him that” Shooter frowned.

“Why not? Think I’m going to destroy it before we get there?”

Saphrina let herself smile at that. She disliked Solo, especially after the previous night, but she hated Shooter. For once, Shooter shut his mouth. Saphrina figured he was probably thinking up something smart to say... he didn’t seem very witty. And while everyone else seemed to soak up the silence and think their own thoughts, Solo only wanted to talk. 

“Ever been out in the wild before?” 

Saphrina glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw that Solo was aiming the question at her.

“Aren’t we in the wild right now?” Saphrina stated blatantly. 

“No! This is nothing!”

Saphrina ignored him, keeping her eyes straight ahead and trying to look bored.

“Bet you never saw a bear before either”

Saphrina gave Solo a side-long glance, hoping he wouldn’t notice her interest, but the gold wolf grinned.

“A giant furry ball of black fur and teeth. Think I’m bad? After you run into them, you’d think I was an angel!”

The group walked in silence for a little more before they got away from the woods and could see clearly around them. As the small hill they were standing on sloped down, they could see a huge marsh with tall grass.

“Looks like that’s the quickest way” Captain mumbled. 

“Are you serious?” Solo snorted. “You’re actually going to lead me through there?”

The dogs stopped and glared at the wolf. 

“It’s the fastest way to the ranch. Dudn’t matter if you get yer feet wet. You’re not gonna be alive for much longer anyway”

“None of you will be alive much longer if you go in there” Solo argued. “But by all means, go ahead. They aren’t going to attack me. They’ll go after dogs first”

Saphrina gulped wondering if it was a good idea to listen to the wolf. She could hear Nimbin gulp next to her.

“E’s, e’s probably just lyin’ anyway” Nimbin stuttered to his best friend, Saphrina nodding along with him. 

“Maybe I am” Solo muttered, overhearing Nimbin. “But then again, there’s nothing for me to be afraid of, so let’s go”

Captain shook his head, leading the group toward the marsh. Solo grinned as he followed the dogs down to the tall, dark grass.

“Now we can really bond, can’t we?”

Saphrina, Solo, Nimbin, Ridge, Loki, Galileo, Trigg, Pilot (and un-mentioned ocs) (c) me

Kit (Saphrina’s mom-mentioned) (c) ZukotheCat

Clover (Saphrina’s sister-mentioned) (c) Skotta