Miracles of the Forest

Part 2: The Rut

Ch. 8 "The Outcasts"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

A flash of black and white streaked through the forest. It didn't care where it ran. Its body slammed against tree trunks, rocks and thorn bushes. But the animal didn't feel the painful blows. Flashes of red tormented the frantic creature. The sight of the buck falling before the dark leader. And then he turned his sights on her. So she ran. She would not look back. She would not slow down. She didn't know where she was. She didn't care. She just...ran.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eric leaned his head against his hand, his eyes staring blankly out the window. The teacher was busy explaining geometry at the front of the class while the other students busily took notes. Eric sighed, blinking lazily as the teachers words drifted over him. He wasn't paying attention. With a sullen face, he closed his eyes, remembering...
 

"But daddy, I don't want you and mommy to go!" 9 year old Eric whimpered as his father held him tight.
 

"Eric, your mother and I have to go. It's my duty as a conservationist and your mother's duty as a veterinarian. We agreed to take this mission in Malawi, to save the wildlife from the poachers. Besides, you know your Aunt Sally will take care of you and Tommy. She's the best."
 

The little boy wiped the tears from his eyes. "What if you don't come back?"
 

Jonathan Baxter closed his deep brown eyes and sighed. "If that happens, I want you to be in charge and help your aunt take care of Tommy. Will you promise me that you'll be the man of the house, Eric?"
 

With one final sniffle, little Eric nodded. "I promise. I'll miss you, daddy..."
 

"ERIC BAXTER!" The teacher croaked, snapping Eric out of his day dream.
 

"Huh?" He grunted, looking around frantically as though he'd forgotten where he was.


"What on earth are you staring at that's more important than the isosoles triangle?" She scolded, hands on her hips.
 

Eric's face burned as all 15 students turned in their seats, their 30 pairs of eyes on him. He sank down, hoping to become invisible; but they continued to stare, waiting for an answer.
 

"Well, young man?" The teacher pressed.
 

"I...uh...saw a...bird." He stammered.
 

"A bird?" She questioned angrily.
 

"Yeah..." He nodded. "It was...on...fire." He winced at his own idiotic words. Bravo... He thought to himself.
 

The class roared in laughter. The teacher began shouting at everyone to settle down. Eric sighed. At least the attention was off him.
 

The bus ride home didn't go well either. The girls whispered amongst each other and giggled at him while the larger boys took seats in front of, behind and next to him, mocking him and teasing him about the event in class. He sat there, stone-faced, as he was flicked, pushed and bumped by the bullies as they exited the bus. His was, unfortunately, the last stop. After being made fun of and jeered at all day, his only thought was going in his room and locking the door.
 

The bus hissed to a stop in front of the ball park. After departing, he crossed the highway and hopped up the stairs to the porch. A big, white fluffy dog wagged its feather-duster of a tail in greeting.
 

"Good boy, Frost." Eric mumbled as he patted the Pyrenees on his wide head before opening the door.
 

The door was unlocked. That meant Tommy made it home first. Upon entering the house, the sounds of the TV filled his ears. Eric shut the door.
 

"Is Sally home?" Eric called.
 

"No!" Tommy called from the living room. "She had to go the the store in town!"
 

The news hit Eric after he opened the fridge and learned there was nothing to snack on. With a frown, he slammed the door shut. "Of course." He growled.
 

Throwing his backpack on the kitchen table, he rubbed his head and walked into the living room, his hand sliding tiredly over his eyes.
 

"I'm going in my room. Don't bother me, alright?" He removed his hand from his face. His heart leapt into his throat and his eyes bulged from his skull. "WHAT THE---???"
 

There, laying on the couch, was a chestnut-colored buck. Though the animal still displayed infant-like spots, he also bore a small silver crown of velvet-coated antlers. The deer, lifting his head out of a bowl of popcorn, looked over at Eric while licking the artificial butter-flavoring from his lips. Tommy, who was seated next to the animal with his arm draped around the buck's neck, looked over at his brother and smiled.
 

"Look, Eric! He likes the TV.!!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

"RAVEN!" Geno called as he crept through the sparsely scattered trees. "RAVEN!"


Leaves crackled under his weight. He was still battered and bruised from the fight, but it didn't stop Stinkweed and Bumper from hitching a ride on his back.
 

"HEY RAVEN!" Stinkweed shouted.
 

"RAAAVVVEEENNNN!!!!!" Bumper shrieked.
 

Geno jolted to a stop, shaking his head wildly. "OW!! Geez, Bumper! In my EAR??" He growled.
 

Bumper covered her mouth with her paws. "Oops...sorry." She whispered meekly.
 

Stinkweed snorted, chuckling to himself. Geno scowled at both of them before lowering his back end and allowing his friends to slide off.
 

"We'll find him faster if we split up. Go. Search somewhere else."
 

As the rabbit and skunk skulked away, Stinkweed glared at Bumper.
 

"Nice job, Big Mouth."
 

"Well, whoever heard of searching for someone quietly?" She muttered as they both disappeared into the brush.
 

Finally alone, Geno continued his search. "Raven! Come on, Raven! Where are you?" He stopped when he heard some leaves rustling ahead. He smiled. "Raven. There you are..." He walked towards the sound.
 

But it wasn't Raven. The intruder burst from the growth and slammed right into Geno's chest, throwing the buck back a few feet. Annoyed, he shook off the blow and looked down. He recoiled a bit in shock. There, at his feet, was a very unique looking black and white doe. She lay there, moaning, obviously winded from running and from colliding with him so hard. Geno stared at her for a moment, temporarily captivated by her strange coat. Once he was over it, he flattened his ears and sighed.
 

"Just my luck. I'm looking for Raven and instead I find a Magpie." He mumbled to himself before stepping to the downed doe's side. "Here, let me help you up."
 

He leaned into her as she shakily got to her feet. Breathless, she looked up at him, wild-eyed, as if she had been chased. Once she was up, Geno looked her over.
 

"You alright?" He asked courteously.
 

The doe nodded, still shocked by the encounter with this poor, scratched-up defeated-looking buck.
 

"Good." Geno pushed past her gently. "Now if you'll excuse me...RAVEN!" He continued to call.
 

It took the doe a few moments more to regain her composure. Once she did, she ran to catch up with him.
 

"Hey, wait!!" She called, coming upon him quickly. "Hold on a second!"
 

Geno paused. "Oh, it talks." He said sarcastically.
 

Walking next to him, she stared up eagerly at his face. "Can you tell me where I am?" She inquired, still breathless.
 

"You're at the edge of my father's territory." Geno answered, not even looking at her. "RAVEN!!"
 

"Well, can you tell me where your father is? I'd like to talk to him." She continued, trying to keep up with Geno's pace.
 

"My father is gone for the season. He put me in charge. I'm Geno." Again, he didn't look at her.
 

"Good. Then I'll ask you."
 

"Ask me what?" A touch of annoyance was clear in his voice.
 

"For permission to join your herd."
 

"Not now." Geno growled. "I'm busy."
 

The doe paused for a moment before running to Geno's side again. "What do you mean, not now? Not now, as in, I can't join now? Or not now as in, you can't answer me now?" She pressed.
 

Geno glared at her. "Look lady, beat it, alright? I'm looking for someone."
 

"Well, then. Just give me a simple yes or no answer and you may continue your search." She demanded, annoyed in her own right.
 

"Leave me alone." Geno barked.
 

The doe snorted in rage and leapt in front of Geno, blocking his path.
 

"LOOK!" She roared, causing the buck to take a step back. "I'm not asking you a very difficult question, am I? I need a place to stay."
 

"That is NOT my problem!" Geno hissed. "Right now, I have bigger things to worry about. My little brother is missing!"
 

The doe's anger subsided slightly. She hadn't noticed before, but now,