keep him from his dream. Man, I wish I could take it all back, take my whole stupid life back. I wish I was dead! I wish I was never born!

***

           We camped out on a cliff, where there was full view of the moon. We could see everything from there: mountains, forests, peeks, lakes etc. I loved it, but Jack was exhausted and fell asleep after set camp.

          I stared off into the stars and the moon. It was a waning crescent. Then, when I knew Jack was sound asleep, I started to sing.

“If there is anyone out there;

Come help us

If there is anyone listening?

 Come help us

If there is a living soul that understands;

Come. Help. Us.”

            It didn’t really rhyme, but it was the best I could do to find help. I couldn’t bear not being able to find a good shelter for us. A cave is better than this. Then I waited for a response and there was nothing, so I waited for a minute. Then I began to lose hope, until.

“We’re here at the lake;

Where we will always be of help

Now come before the bears wake

Or we can’t help your song of yelp.”

It was a weird poem, but I didn’t care, I found help!

***

                  I dragged Jack to the lake, where the anonymous speaker told me to go. I didn’t know if I were crazy or desperate……..or both? But this was my last chance, then again it was my only chance also. The lake was  frozen and barren.

“What are we doing here, girl?’ he asked

I didn’t really know any more, I desperately howled, “Where are you?”

                      Then I saw something moving and then something started growling. The, before I knew it, something was on me growling. I opened my eyes and there was a brown wolf on me.

“Who are you, stranger?” he asked. I recognized his voice.

“I’m Riley, I called for help on that cliff over there.” I said frightened. I was really sure this was the wolf I talked to. He stared at me then tilted his head.

“Of course.” He snarled. He wasn’t how I remembered him being, “Then what are you doing with a human.”

         I looked at jack and he was surrounded by snarling wolves. He had a look of terror on his face, which scared me to death.

“If you can’t help him, then I’m leaving.” I warned, like they cared if they wanted me or not.

“Wait, “said a voice from behind, “we can’t let her leave.” All of the wolves looked back, including me. It was a dark brown wolf who was talking, he was scrawny looking and was crouching down lower than the rest of the wolves.

“Talking out of place, worthless little gnaw wolf!” said the brown male wolf that pounced me.

          I felt bad for the wolf, he was just trying to help me. He continued, “I uh, well it would be good to have a human source in the pack. I mean, after all, wouldn’t it be better or someone try to stop the hunters.” He paused. There were whispers from every direction, “and who would be better than someone who speaks their language.”

         There was a lot of talking and then the male that pounced on me came and said, “I think that the alpha would love that, but one condition….” He made an evil smirk and continued, “he’s your responsibility.” Then he shoved Jack toward him. The kid had no idea what was going on, but he was still as frightened as he was five minutes ago.

         I growled for a second but then stopped. The gnaw wolf looked at me and mouthed ‘I’m sorry,’ then turned away from me. Then the brown one came up to me and said, “I’m Kolen by the way,” he said as if he were trying to impress me.

“Oh, give it a rest, bro.” said a wolf that looked exactly like him, “I’m the one that summoned you, I’m Kolle. Welcome to the pack.” Then Kolen came up and shoved Kolle away, he was bigger but more stupid.

“Fallow me.” He said, “I’ll show you to your den.”

I looked at him then looked back at Jack, h was terrified, even for a fourteen year old, “If Jack is going to den with him,” I was referring to the gnaw wolf, “Then that is where I’m denning.”

There was a bunch of talking then I turned to the gnaw wolf and he was staring at me in disbelief and Jack was lost. I walked toward him and he then bowed as if I were royalty, “I am Chinook, I am your servant.” I just stared. This was a strange wolf.

***

          I walked with Jack and the gnaw wolf, Chinook. He was crouching so he was lower than me, must have been some sort of wolf thing. And Jack, well I had to drag him by his shirt until he decided to come with me.

“You should be with them you know,” Chinook finally said, breaking a long period of silence.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I wasn’t trying to be rude, but I came out like it.

He looked at me then said, “You had a chance to be in a quality den, with food, but instead you chose to be with me in a place where well, I’m mean look at me, “He said, “does it look like I’ve eaten in a week.”

No. He had a good point, “I didn’t choose to be with you, I chose to be with my family.” It was no use, I was rude to Chinook. He lowered his ears and then looked down. He didn’t look like he had anyone to live with him. No family, no siblings…no mate.

“I’m sorry,” I said then he looked up but still was crouching with his tail between his legs, “Um, you don’t have to do that you know.” I said in a nice way, surprisingly.

“What?” he asked. I imitated what he was doing then he laughed, “Sorry, force of Habit.” He paused, “When you’re a gnaw wolf like me, you have to give more respect to everyone, no matter who they are. We do that by being lower than anyone else”

        I wondered if I was going to be a gnaw wolf, but as long as I had Jack, we were fine. Chinook stood up straight, and then he was taller me.

“I hope you like it here, in the pack.” He said, welcoming, “My den is over there.” And he pointed.

          I looked at his paw and it was huge. It was way bigger than a normal dog’s would, but he wasn’t a dog, he was a wolf. I looked at him and he was blushing. We looked at each other for a moment, but then Jack shoved Chinook away from me, “Stay away from her.”

          I growled at Jack, which scared me. I’d never growled at him before. He just looked at me then I jumped up to him and licked his face in apology. He laughed. Then I got off him then said, “I’m sorry about that.” I said helping Chinook up.

“It’s fine.” He said, “I get that often.” He sighed, and then continued toward his den.

        Inside his den, there was a bundle of twigs, most likely a bed, and a bear’s skin on the ground. But the most unusual thing of all, there a pile of bones with teeth marks in them.

           Jack was kind of clueless, but eventually got the idea and made a fire in the back to keep him warm. Chinook was nervous about the fire and sat near the front. Jack then lied on his jacket as a pillow and fell asleep.

“You can have my bed.” Referring to the twigs, “I’ll sleep on the ground.”

         I didn’t argue and made myself at home. I lied down on the twigs (which are more comfortable than you think) and watched over Jack. I didn’t know if I could trust Chinook, for he was a total stranger. Then I wondered if there was a reason why he was at the bottom of ranks. Did he do something wrong, or attack some one? Or maybe his parents were, and he just filed in for them? All of the questions ran through my mind, until Chinook started talking.

 “Comfortable enough?” he asked

  I looked at him then said, “I’m fine.” He looked down and lied down on the bear skin.

“You should stay away from Kolen.” He said

I became more curious about Kolen; he seemed like a very mean person, “Why?” I asked

“Because he’s a jerk, been a jerk from the start.” He said and sighed

       I looked at him then said, “Wanna talk about it?” I asked

“It’s a-but of a long story.” He said.

“I’ve got time.” I replied.

He chuckled then started the story, “All right, It started when I was about a couple of months old. I was best friends with a blind snake named Gergoro. He was really my best friend, but then Kolen killed him right in front of me.” I gasped, “Then that is where I started hanging out with Kolle, his