The Wilderness Series

By Ahura Werewolf

Note:All characters are copyrighted to me. Please dont use them.

Fox In The Woods



Part 1 Discovery



I walked under the shade of the trees, beams of sunlight filtered through the leaves. I drew in the scent of the lake as it wafted through the wind. I walked to the crest of the hill and looked out over the land. A vast sparkling blue lake and on the other side the tall green mountains of the Adirondacks.

From behind me I heard the rustling of leaves; I turned and looked as a fox kit tumbled out of the bush. The fox looked up at me with its brown eyes as I approached it, its eyes widen and it whined. I put my hand out and it sniffed it then proceeded to lick it. I petted its soft red fur and said “where did you come from” at that moment I felt another presence being released from somewhere in the confines of my mind. I heard a voice saying “where’s my mommy” I looked down at the fox and shook my head thinking I was insane.

I looked at it and said “this isn’t happening it must be a dream” I sat on the ground and started to say “I am crazy” the fox walked over to me saying “what’s your name” I replied “Jim…Jim Bromley” the fox replied back “mines Arctos” I smiled and then stroked it’s fur again.

I walked back up the trail to my house with Arctos following in my wake, I turned and said “you cannot come” he stopped and sat on his haunches and asked why. I told him “because my parents might not like me having a fox around” Arctos blinked tears and lowered his ears. I picked him up and held him against my chest saying “fine you can come” he yipped happily and licked my face.

Part 2

I made my way back to my house with Arctos in my arms, within him I could feel his tiny heart beat happily. As my house came into view I saw my father getting out of his car, I started to wonder how I was going to conceal a fox kit from him. The only thing I could come up with was to wait for my father to go into the house. I hid behind a tree and watched as he entered the house I found the old doghouse from my now deceased dog that was named Alex.

I dragged the doghouse into the woods, with Arctos bouncing up and down in my wake. I looked at him and said “we here is your new home” he sniffed it and said “what is it” I replied “it is a dog house” he went into it and curled into a small red ball of fluff and fell asleep. I went back to the house and found some wire fencing I walked back into the forest and fenced in Arctos’s doghouse. His ears perked up as he looked at me and asked “what are you doing” I replied “I am fencing you in so no animals try to harm you” he nodded and feel back to sleep.

As I walked back to the house it started to rain, I thought “maybe I could bring Arctos into the house” I shook my head no and thought he would be fine in his doghouse.

As the sun went down behind the hills it rained harder, when night came I lay in my bed awake when I heard the frantic cries of Arctos saying “where are you there is water coming in” I got out of my bed and walked to the front door and pulled it open. I ran towards Arctos’s doghouse but I feel into the mud. Mud got into my eyes and I stumbled around towards Arctos. I felt the cold wet steel of the fence and felt my way to the front gate, when I opened it I rubbed the mud from my eyes and found that the doghouse was flooded and in the corner of it was a wet and shaking Arctos.

I reached in and grabbed him by the scruff and held him to my chest as I made my way back to the house. I walked into the house and to the linen closet and went into the bathroom. I turned on the light and I proceed to dry off Arctos, when I was done his fur was all static. It was very funny but Artcos didn’t think so, he whines and then licked his fur down. I opened the door and gathered Arctos into my arms and I walked into my bedroom. After I closed the door I covered myself up with Arctos curled at the foot of my bed we both feel asleep.

Part 3

A couple of years passed since that night and my parents still didn’t catch wind of Artcos. Though there were a few close calls when he fell from the loft area into my birthday cake, fortunately I was able to get him out of the house since everyone had cake in their eyes.

Arctos had gotten bigger, his fur was a bright shiny red and he had a snow white underbelly. When school started up I could no longer spend very much time with him since I was swapped with homework. But I make every effort to visit him, when I do he bounces around like a pup which he still is.

As I started my freshmen year at Bellows Free Academy high school I became increasingly wondering how I was able to talk to animals specifically Arctos. As I walked into the library I noticed a book called Indians Of The Green Mountains, now from what my parents had told me we had a bit of Native American blood in our family.

As I sat down and opened the book I scanned the table of contents and saw “Native American Beliefs” I flipped to the page and began to read it. From what I read Native Americans had a special relationship with nature and every animal in it. As I continued to read farther into the chapter I realized it was the native blood in my family that had something to do with my ability to speak to animals.

After school was over I ran home with the book clutched under my arm, I found Arctos sitting in the nearby woods. His ears perked up he looked at me saying “what’s wrong” I all out of breath didn’t answer him. I shoved the book under his muzzle he looked down at it saying “what are these markings” once I caught my breath I replied “it is a book about Native Americans I believe it will help me understand why I can talk to you” Arctos looks up at me and says “let me know what you find out” he curls into a ball and falls asleep.

I petted his fur while I was thinking of anyone I could talk to, to help explain my gift. I remember my mother saying something about my uncle John having a lot of Indian blood. I got up off the ground and walked back to the house, my father had just arrived he looks towards me saying “what are you doing sport” I replied “nothing” I clutched the book behind my back so he wouldn’t see. He walked into the house; I followed him inside and ran to my bedroom in the back of the house.

I stowed the book under my bed and then approached my mother saying “mom where is Uncle John these days” she cocked her head and said “he is over on the Bronson Road back in the woods” I nodded and said “I am going to go visit him” she replies “why” and say “I have some questions for him” I went out into the garage and mounted my bicycle.

As I rode up the driveway Arctos started to follow me crying “wait for me Jim” I stopped my bike and picked him up and put him into the basket of my bike covering him up with my hoodie.

As I rode to his house I looked at the lake as I passed by. The water was sparkling with the sunshine reflecting off of the water. I could smell the fresh scent of the water; I looked at the beauty and thought I was lucky to live here. As he rode up the Bronson rode he was surrounded by rocks and woods. He saw a mail box at the end of a drive way that went off into the woods on it said “John Bromley” he looked down the long driveway the trees arched over it giving it the look of a cathedral ceiling. Arctos pokes his head from under the hoodie saying “that looks really creepy” I nodded.

I rode my bike down the driveway and as I rounded the corner of it a log cabin came into view. The cabin was made on of birch trees and it had a wooden porch on the front of it, on it in a rocking chair sat a man. He had a worn face with a tint of red, his eyes were brown. He had his graying hair in a ponytail; I stopped my bike in front of him. He looked up at me and says “who are you” I replied “I am Jim Bromley your” he cut me off saying “my sisters son I know who you are last time I saw you, you were in diapers” I blushed. When he looked behind me and at my bike he noticed Arctos looking around. H then looked back at me saying “why is there a fox with you” I reply “I will tell you when we are inside” he nodded and I followed him inside so didn’t Arctos.

Part 4

I sat down in a wicker chair in front of a wood stove; my uncle opposite me lit his pipe and began to smoke it. The smoke wreathed around his head, Arctos sneezed saying “that stuff stinks” my uncle looks at me saying “so what do you have to say” I told him all about meeting Arctos in the woods and how I could talk to him. I also told him that my parents knew nothing about it.

My uncle did nothing but listen in silence then after I was done talking he stood up and paced about thinking about what he had just heard. He turns to me and while he sits back down he replies “I remember when I was younger I heard some of the elders at the local meeting house talking about some of the young ones being able to do this. I to could talk to animals but I lost the ability when I grew older” I reply “what do you want me to do” he says “don’t tell your parents or anyone they might think you’re crazy, this will be our secret” Arctos walks up to my uncle and hops into his arms saying “I like him” I told him what he had said and my uncle petted him saying “so do I” I asked him why he never comes to visit us. My uncle looked somberly at me replying “your mother and I had a fight a long time ago and at the end of it she told me she never wanted to see me again. So I obeyed what she had said and I haven’t see her since then” I didn’t press into the matter any farther.

Soon it was getting dark out, I said good bye to my uncle and rode for home. As soon as I arrived I bundle Arctos in my hoodie and snuck him passed my parents. I went to bed with him curled at the foot of my bed. The next day I went to school and pondered over what I had discussed with my uncle. My English teacher kept yelling at me to pay attention but I ignored her and got a detention for it. When I arrived at home from school I found my mother looking around the lawn as soon as she saw me she says “I saw a fox in the house today when I went into your bedroom” I replied “a fox you must be crazy” she says “I believe I am going crazy but the thing hissed at me and ran out here” I ran into the house and dropped off my backpack and then walked through the woods calling for Arctos. I heard a rustling in the bushes behind me when I turned I found Arctos standing there panting.

Once he caught his breath he replies “who was that women she dang near ended me” I said “that was my mother” he looks up at me and hops into my arms. I can feel his heart pounding within him he says “I am not going anywhere near her again” I chuckle and say “good idea.” A few days had passed after my mother’s run in with Arctos and she had completely forgotten about him. Arctos had gotten bigger and a lot heavier, I made regular trips to my uncles who just seemed happy to have company.

One day while I was talking to him Arctos slipped out and started to look for a mouse he heard sneaking through the grass. He saw the mouse scurry across the road as he chased it when the mouse disappeared into the grassy ditch. He felt a vibration behind his paws when he looked up he saw a car then blackness. Jim and his uncle heard the screeching of a car then Jim ran out of the house and up the driveway. In the road he saw Arctos laying there lifeless, as he ran to the body another car sped down the road and hit him. The last thing Jim saw was Arctos’s glassy stare then nothing.

I hear the beeping of a machine as I open my eyes I am surrounded by my parents and my uncle. My mom looks down at me saying “I thought we lost you” she kisses me on the forehead my father stood by holding back his tears. My uncle hugs me saying “at least you’re ok” I reply “what happened to me” my mother says “you were hit by a car” I try to remember but I cannot, I say “there is someone important I feel I have to remember” my mother says “who” I reply “I dunno, I just feel something is missing. Like a piece of my heart has a hole in it” John says “Denise may I speak to you privately she looks at him saying “ok” they leave the room and go out into the hallway. She looks at him saying “ok what the hell happened at your house the doctors say he was covered in fox blood. Why would he be covered in fox blood” John looks at his sister and replies “your son can talk to animals” she replies “no he cannot” he says “Denise yes he can when I was his age I could to that fox blood is from a fox pup he found in the woods and befriended. The foxes name as Arctos, I saw them talking to one another just like they were long lost pals” she looks from her brother to her son who is sitting up in bed talking to his father.

She says “why didn’t you tell me this earlier” he replies “because I thought you might think he was crazy” she is taken aback by this and says “I would never think my son was crazy I care about him that’s all” she begins to cry. John wraps his arms around her saying “I think it is best we don’t remind him of Arctos now it might be too painful for him to realize he is gone” she nods her head saying “yes that would be for the best.”

A week later Jim and his family left Vermont and headed to Idaho where his father had got a new job opportunity but really it was to get away from everything that might remind Jim of Arctos. As for Arctos he was buried at Jim’s uncle’s house in a small grove of trees with a wooden grave marker with his name carved into it.

 

Wolf In My Room

Hi, my name is Jim Bromley I was born in St. Albans, Vermont to my parents Ian and Denise Bromley. I lived there until we moved in my freshmen year of high school to Stanley Idaho because my father was offered a job there, little did I know that this was going to unexpectedly change my life.

Part 1 Arrival

“Look” mom cried, we watched as the car rose over the hill and we saw a small town mainly made of wooden buildings and it was surrounded by icy mountains that glinted in the afternoon sun. As we descended the hill and into the town I notice a building with the words “Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition” I say “hey dad check that out” he turns his head and says “oh I heard about them they believe wolves are a threat to livestock and want to take the wolf of the list of protected animals” I shrug and think “well I see their point wolves are killing machines” I didn’t know how wrong I was.

Later that day we arrived at our house, it was a green house with a bay window it had two floors one being the basement and the other living areas. I walked into the house and into my bedroom which had a view of the mountains and the woods behind the house. I glimpsed a silver shadow moving among the trees, I backed away and thought “a wolf,” I ran out of the house and to my parents who were unloading the U-Haul van. My mother turned around and when she saw me she said “honey what’s wrong you look like you seen a ghost” I replied “no but I saw a wolf” my father turned around and stopped what he was doing while my mother stood agape.

My father says “are you sure” I nodded, he walk out back and stared into the woods and says “I don’t see anything” I pointed and said “It was there” he looked in the direction I pointed in and said ‘I still see nothing” I said “but it was there” he replied “must have been your imagination” he shrugged and left me standing there watching the forest.

Part 2 Meeting

The next day I got up and I stared out the window into the forest and thought “I did see a wolf” I walked out of the bedroom and my mother said “hello” I looked at her and said “what’s for breakfast” she said “pancakes” after I ate them I got dressed and waited for the bus to school. I watched as the yellow bus rounded the corner and on it said “Challis High School” I got onto the bus and made my way to the back away from prying eyes.

The bus rolled over the prairie until it stopped in front of a large brick building; I got off the bus and walked through the main entrance. Over the intercom came a voice saying “all freshmen please report to the main office for your schedules” I followed the signs on the ceiling to the main office. I got my schedule and reported to my first period classroom which was Mrs. Rathbone an old wrinkly English teacher she gave us the class requirements and rules. It was the same in every class I had the teachers were always boring except for my Earth Science teacher Ms. Lyons she was rather nice.

After school was over I got onto the bus to go home, once I arrived I noticed the screen door was wide open I thought “that’s weird” walked through the entrance and walked around. I heard a crash and said “that came from my room” I pushed open the door and what stood before me was a wolf. The wolf barred it’s fangs I looked at it my heart raced, I looked at a laundry basket on the floor that the wolf had been sorting through. I watched as the wolf started to ready itself to pounce upon me I yelled “hold on” the wolf stopped and looked at me with a quizzical look on its muzzle.

I edged my way to my bedside and started to reach under the mattress and reach for my hunting knife as I did this, a voice came saying “don’t do that human or you will die” I stopped reaching for my knife and said “who said that” I looked at the wolf and watched as it said “I did” I was stunned I could actually understand what the wolf was saying to me. I looked at the wolf and said “I must be going crazy” stupidly I asked “did you say that” the wolf nodded and I said “I am crazy” the wolf said “this is just as odd for me human” I replied “My name is Jim not human” the wolf replied “mines Silva.”

I asked “what are you doing in here” she replied “I came here to hide from the hunters” he looked at her then out the window and noticed a group of five men in camo carrying shotguns. He says ‘well you can’t stay here my parents will freak” she walked over to him and put her forepaws on his knees and said “please” she looked into his as tears began to come out of them, he looked into her yellow eyes and sighed saying “fine” she wags her tail and licks his face. He looked from her and to the laundry basket on the floor and said “what were you looking for” she said “food” he got up from the bed and said “stay here” she sat on her haunches and nodded.

He walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator; he pulled out a T-bone steak and unwrapped it. I put it in the microwave and warmed it up a little bit, he then returns to his room and finds Silva laying on the floor with her head on her forepaws. When she smells the meat she gets up and her tail starts to wag he throws her the meat which she quickly eats. All of a sudden he hears his mom’s car pull into the drive he says “quick! You got to hide” she runs out of the room and he opens the basement door letting her descend the stair. He quickly closes the door as his mother comes in.

She looks at him and says “how was school” he says “fine” after she walked away from him he went into the basement and found Silva in the spare bedroom . He says “you can have this room” she looked at him and said “your parents might find out about me” he replies “no they won’t I will make sure of that” he went out of the room and grabbed some spare blankets from the linen closet and some black spray paint.

He spray painted the windows so no one would look into the room and then he made her a bed from the blankets, she crawled into the bed he said “I will be right back” he went upstairs and into the garage where he found a couple of old doggy doors and a padlock as well as some of his father’s tools.

He went back down into the basement and cut a hole in the door and installed the first doggy door and the padlock. He then went to the basement door and carefully cut a hole so his mother wouldn’t notice. After he was done he put back his father’s tool just in time as he pulled into the driveway.

Later that night he checked up on Silva and found her fast asleep, he closed the door and locked it. He put the key to the padlock on a necklace and said “now I will keep this with me at all times to keep her safe” he fell fast asleep.

Part 3 Wolf Lover

Jim woke up the following morning before his parents got up, he made his way down stairs and unlocked the door. As soon as he opened it he saw two glowing eyes in the darkness growling he says “Silva it’s me” she stopped growling as he turned on the light. He watched as she stretched herself and says “where are you off to” I replied “to school” she cocked her head and said “what’s school” I say “it’s where you learn thing that you will need for life” she nodded; I left the room and locked the door so no one would get in.

I went to school and say signs saying “kill all wolves they are a threat to livestock” I immediately ripped the sign off of the wall and threw it into a garbage can unfortunately it attracted the attention of the school bully named Bobby Brigham he was a rather burly boy his curly hair and hands that looked like mutton chops. He walked over to me and said “pick that out” I said “no” a vein in his neck started to bulge he grabbed my shirt and said “what are you some sort of wolf lover” I said “let go of me” he pulled me into his face and just as he was raising his fist to strike. Ms. Lyons walked over and said “Bobby put him down” Bobby went pale, he let go of me and said innocently “we were just playing” she rolled her eyes and said “sure Bobby go to class” he promptly scurried away. She looked as he disappeared from view and turned to me saying “follow me” I followed her down the hall and into a classroom and watched as she closed the door. She turned to me and stared for a few minutes and said smiling “well I guess I am not the only one who likes wolves” I stood there stunned and said “who says I like wolves” I began to grow nervous, she looked into my face and says “it’s nothing to be ashamed of they are wonderful creatures very good for the environment” I said “they are” she nodded went behind her desk and handed me a book on Wolf Ecology and said “this might be a little hard to read but it has good information on wolves you might learn a thing or two about” I took the book and packed it into my bag.

Later that day I was walking out of school and towards the buses when Bobby stepped out of the shadows and said “hey wolf lover where you going” I turned to him saying “home where else” he walked up to me and grabbed my shirt and said “don’t get smart with me or I will kick your butt” I said “let go” he replied “no I owe you something” as he raised his fist into the air I bit his hand which he let go of me and recoiled howling in pain. He regained his composure and came at me, his fist raised in the air as he drew near I clutched my left hand into a fist and as hard as I could slugged him in the face. He fell on his knees clutching his nose he said “you broke my nose” I watched as blood streamed from it. I opened my mouth saying “well you deserved it” I walked away from him and onto the bus and watched as he was surrounded by the school nurses.

When I arrived at home as soon as I opened the door my father confronted me saying “Jim we got a call from the principal saying you punched a kid” I nodded and said “yeah because he deserved it” he ordered that I explain what happened and when I was done he said “well this Bobby kid sounds like a real punk just watch out for him” I walked away from him and into my bedroom where I pulled out the book and began to read about wolves.

When the night began to come I went into the basement and turned on the light and found Silva munching on a deer leg I asked “where did you get that” smiling she said “I went hunting after your parents had left your mother left the door open so I went out and killed this deer” I told her about what happened to me at school and she says “I am going with you to your school tomorrow” I said “that is probably not a good idea you might get caught or worse” she said angrily “I am going and that’s final” I didn’t bring up the topic because there was no point in discussing it with her.

Part 4 Silva goes to school

The next morning Jim got up nervously and thought about what Silva said when she wanted to go to school with him. As he opened his bedroom door he was startled as he found Silva sitting outside the door, he said sleepily “what are you doing my parents might see you” she looked up at him and replied “they already left” he said “oh ok” he walked passed her and got something to eat. He got dressed and said “so what’s the plan” she looked at him and stretched herself in the sunlight her gray fur rippling as she did so. She replies “I will follow you when you get on that yellow whatever it is” he nodded and said “then after that” she looked around and said “I will follow you into your school and stay by your side all day” I look at her and say “that’s not a good idea you might get me or yourself in trouble.” She looked at him with her yellow eyes and said “don’t worry about me” he looked away from her and just as he did this she nuzzled against his cheek and says “please don’t be upset I will be fine” he patted her on the head and watch as the school bus pulled up when he looked around she was gone.

I got onto the bus and the whole time I thought about what could possibly happen, as I arrived at school I looked nervously at the parking lot for any sign of Silva. Just as he was walking into the entrance he heard a howl ring through the air, he turned around and saw Silva running through the parking lot towards him. The kids around him began to scream as they saw the wolf approaching quickly towards them; Silva skidded to a halt and watched as all the nervous teens crammed themselves through the front entrance. He stared down at Silva and said “come on” he walked through the entrance as Silva followed him.

Inside people pressed themselves against the lockers trying to stay as far away from Silva as possible, Jim walked into his first period classroom which was Mrs. Rathbone who seemed to be at a loss of words as she saw Silva. As Jim took his seat the school resource officer came into the room and walked over to him keeping a wary eye on Silva he said quietly “do you know there is a wolf next to you” I nodded, he said “well get rid of it or you will be in a lot of trouble” I say “I can’t she won’t leave nor will you make her” the officer got red in the face and left the classroom. I look around and notice everyone is looking at Silva as she lies on the floor, Mrs. Rathbone continues to stare at Silva and turns from her and begins the lesson on how to write an essay. Every time she spoke Silva howled and this made her quiver Silva looked at me and grinned, as time passed people began to cram their faces into the window and look into the classroom and look at Silva with fear.

When class was almost over the officer returned with the school principal and another officer who had his hand on his holster. As the student resource officer reached for Silva she growled and barred her fangs in which the SRO recoiled. The bell rung and everyone quickly filed out of the classroom as I got up the SRO said “you are in big trouble for bringing that wolf into school” I reply “I didn’t bring her she chose to come” I left the classroom and the others in the classroom and made my way to second period.

Jim throughout the day was given constant looks of distrust and the faculty and SRO continued to bother him about Silva. When Jim walked into 5th Period which was Earth Science Ms. Lyons didn’t bug him about Silva in fact she rather liked having her in the class. After school was over Ms. Lyons called him to the front of the class and asked him what the wolf’s name was he said “Silva” she looked at Silva as she approached it Silva let her pat her head.

Jim walked out of the classroom and was confronted by Bobby he noticed he had a wad of bandages on his nose from where he had punched him. He says “Look what you did you idiot I am going to kick your….” he stopped talking as he saw Silva behind him she started to growl saying “is this that Bobby kid” he nodded. Bobby looked at her and turned and ran down the hall way and disappeared, I looked at Silva and said “let’s go home” she shook her head and followed me out to the buses.

Part 5 Jim Runs Away

Jim’s escapade at his school was all over the news and in the local newspaper. Day by day reporters would come to his house looking to talk to him or get pictures of Silva. Jims parents were angry with him at first because he didn’t tell them he had kept a wolf in the house but they grew used to having Silva around, one day someone tossed a brick through the bay window and on it was written a note saying “give the wolf up and move out of town wolf lovers” Jim took the note and threw it away.

Jim sat in the basement with Silva and all of a sudden a crash came from the upstairs Silva says “what was that” he shrugged his shoulders and walked upstairs with Silva close behind. As he opened the door he saw nothing but darkness but when he turned on the light he found the backdoor broken and open to the outside. Silva says “I smell someone” just as she said that a shot rang out Jim watched in horror as Silva fell to the ground, he looked and saw that she had been shot through the shoulder he turned and saw a man dressed in black with a ski mask over his face. Jim charged at him and rammed his head into the man’s gut as he went falling over the couch, Jim reached down and grabbed the gun and threw it out the window. The man lay sprawled unconscious on the floor, Jim called the police they arrived immediately and took the man and his gun away. Jim made his way over to Silva who lay whimpering on the floor bleeding profusely, Jim said “hang on Silva” he ran into the bathroom and got the first aid kit and wrapped her wound up tightly. She looked at him and said “I was foolish to get shot” he shook his head no and said “you were brave” he picked her up and said “can you walk” she shook her head no. He walked into his bedroom and placed her gently onto the bed and she watched him pack his things into his back pack and he then put some bandages and food into it, he then picked her up and she says “where are we going” he says “away from here where people cannot hurt you anymore” he walked out the back door and into the forest.

Part 6 Wilderness

Two days had passed since Jim and Silva left their home and made their way into the vast forest. Since then Jim had eaten all of the food and now Silva had to hunt for them, her wound had gotten much better and she was able to move around. Jim sat in in a hollow of a tree as he waited for Silva she had been gone for 3 hours and he was beginning to grow worried. Just then he saw here dragging a deer carcass towards him, she dropped it in front of him and says “well dig in” Jim pulls out a knife and cuts a piece of meat off and eats it raw he feels like he is going to up chuck.

She looked at him and cocked her head saying “what’s wrong” he replies saying “I usually have things cooked when I eat” she looks away as if she is hurt by his comment he sees this and says ‘I can eat it this way don’t worry thanks for the food” she looks back and says “your welcome” he closes his eyes and falls to sleep. That night Silva awoke and found Jim shaking violently from the lack of heat, she wraps her body around him. He snuggles closely to her and she thinks “he is like a wolf pup” he lies there quietly and stops shaking because of the cold.

Early the next morning Silva woke up and found her fur was completely drenched in sweat, she looked at Jim and nuzzled him he was very warm and feverish. She says “Jim wake up” she nuzzles him frantically as she tries to get him awake she says “I have to get help” she left Jim in the hollow of the tree and ran through the woods to where she smelled humans. Silva hides behind a tree and sees a group of four men and a women shouting Jim’s name all of the men have guns. Silva walks out from behind the tree and looks at them, one of the humans sees her and raises his gun and says “hey there is that wolf that Jim was with” everyone else turns and looks at her. Silva whimpers and points her body in the direction that Jim is in, the human stand there confused as Silva approaches a shot rings out the bullet passes through Silva’s chest she stops in her tracks and winces.

Silva turns from the humans and looks back at them she walks back to Jim; one of the men says “she wants us to follow her” Silva limps her way back to Jim her heartbeat pounds in her ears her vision is starting to blur. When she reaches Jim she collapses onto the ground her heartbeat slows she thinks “so I am to die” she hears the humans coming up from behind her and then her vision fades and is black.

Jim wakes up in a hospital sometime later he is surrounded by his family and a few of his teachers they tell him what had happened to Silva and how he is in the hospital. He says “where is Silva now” his mother looks at him and says “at the vets but she is in very rough shape” Jim was released from the hospital his parents drove him to the vets where Jim immediately made his way to Silva’s room. He saw that she was hooked up to a heart monitor and she had many IV’s implanted on her body , he says “Silva can you hear me” she opens her eyes and looks at him saying “yes” he smiles and says “thanks for saving me” she nods and closes her eyes the heart monitor goes flat line Jim looks at Silva and says “don’t go” the veterinarians rush into the room and put a deliberator on her muzzle and start to work it, another one watches the heart monitor and watches short spikes appear on it. When they see the heart monitor flat line again they prepare an adrenaline shot, a vet stabs Silva’s chest and squeezes the plunger Silva gasps and coughs the her heart rate picks up.

Afterwards Silva rests at the vets for a few days and is allowed to leave Jim’s family is given a license to own her legally and their property is fenced off so no one gets in. Jim and Silva live happily for the rest of their days and no one ever bothers them again.

Wolf In The Woods

Part 1 Memories Return



Jim sat on the edge of his bed rubbing the sleep from his eyes. In the corner of the room lay Silva cured in her basket. Her sides rose and fell with her breathing; her fangs were bared in a snarl as she chased prey in her dreams. He gets up from the bed and opens the door with a squeak thinking "I need to have my father oil the hinges" behind him Silva stirs from her slumber.

She looks up at him with her yellow eyes and says "where are you going" he turns and looks down at her replying "just going for some breakfast want anything." She thinks about and and says "you got anymore moose meat from your hunt last week" he says "yeah it is in the back of the fridge." She lays her velvet paws and waits. The cold air from it causes him to shiver alittle.  He pulls out the various items out of the fridge until he finds what he is looking for. The meat is on a plate wrapped in plastic wrap, he places the plate into the microwave and presses the cook time for a two minutes. While he waits for the meat to warm up he opens the pantry then takes down a box of Coco Puff cereal. He pours himself a bowl of it and then pours the milk. Behind him the microwave beeps to a stop, he takes out the sizzling meat and places it on the countertop. He hears Silva's claws clacking on the tile flooring behind him as she comes into the kitchen. She says to him "that smells so good" her tongue hangs out as she pants in hunger. He places the plate in front of Silva who is overcome with a bloodlust she tears into the meat. Jim quietly walks over to the table and quietly eats his Coco Puffs.

Jim’s mother walks into the kitchen her hair is messy and jets out in all directions. Jim smirks at her as she prepares herself a cup of coffee. Silva finishes eating and looks at Jim saying "you done" he nods and says” I am going to go take a shower" Silva says "ok I will wait for you." While Jim is in the shower, Silva curls on the couch next to Jim's father who is reading the morning newspaper and waiting for his wife to give him some breakfast. The door to the bathroom opens and steam pours out. Jim walks into his room towel around his waist and pulls on fresh clothing. He pulls on a pair of worn and faded jeans followed by a black zip up hoodie. He then laces up his navy blue converse high tops and walks into the living room.
Silva sees him enter into the living room and wags her tail in excitement saying "ready to go" he nods saying "as ready as I will ever be." They both walk out the back door and into the woods behind Jim's house.

Jim draws the fresh mountain air into his lungs and exhales. Silva's large paws crunch through the fallen leaves besides him. He walks towards his favorite spot, a large tree that has grown over a boulder next to a small stream. Silva pounces on the leaves that are falling from the tree limbs above her. He closes his eyes he feels Silva press herself against him. He feels the strong pulse of her heart as it beats in her chest. He opens his eyes and pats her on the head at this Silva licks his face. He hugs her and she wags her tail happily.

Somewhere in the woods a shot rings out. The bullet grazes Silva's shoulder, she winces in pain. From the trees emerges a man holding a rifle he is dressed in camo. Jim looks at Silva's bleeding shoulder then back at the hunter who was loading another round into his rifle. Jim picks up Silva in his arms and he runs back to his house leaving the hunter standing there. Denise Jim's mother sees her son run out of the woods carrying a bloody Silva in his arms. She places her hand to her mouth and says "what happened to her" Jim out of breath says "there was a hunter back there in the woods" his mother takes Silva from Jim and carry’s her into the house.

Jim watches his mother tend to Silva's wound. Silva watches as she cleans them saying "it doesn't hurt that bad but my heart is pounding" he smiles alittle at her attempt to cheer him up. He looks from her and his mother to his father who is on the phone with the local police. Ian says "my son was shot at and you say you can't do anything I am just asking you to send a cruiser over here and find this psycho hunter" then he says "ok thanks." He hangs up the telephone, Denise looks at her husband saying "well are they going to do anything" he nods saying "yeah they are sending someone over."

Later that day Jim and Silva are laying quietly in his room when all of a sudden a foxes head flashes into his mind. He remembers something from when he was living in Vermont, he remembers a fox curling against his chest and also the same fox falling into his birthday cake. Then that same fox laying in a pool of blood then everything swirling into blackness. A name rings through his mind "Arctos." When the memories stops Jim sits up thinking to himself "what the heck was all of that and why do I feel I should know this fox" Silva looks at him and says "what is it Jim" he replies "nothing" Silva knew he was lying but didn't wish to press the matter. The cops show up at the house an hour later and Jim takes them to where the hunter had been they find a bullet casing and some foot prints. The cop tells Jims parents that it is best that Jim and Silva for their own safety stay close to the house in order to prevent future mishaps. Silva upon hearing this lowers her head when Jim tells her what the officer had said. She thinks it over and says "well I will try to stay close to the house" Jim hugs her saying "I knew you would understand." She wags her tail but inside she knows that she will miss the outdoors and the feeling of the moist ground beneath her paws.

Part Two a Dangerous Scent

The next day while Jim goes to school Silva stays in his room pacing about. She walks out of the room and through the large doggy door into the backyard where she lopes happily. A smell of steak reaches her nostrils; she licks her lips in hunger. As she follows the smell into the forest it becomes very quiet. Her ears go back against her head and she tucks her tail between her legs. She sees the meat lying on the ground in front of her. As she approaches she smells that there is something wrong with it. She sniffs the meat and the smell is processed by her brain. She paws at it then decides that it is best that she doesn't eat it. After Jim gets home from school Silva tells him about the meat, Jim walks into the woods with her. On the ground before them is the meat Silva was talking about. He picks it up and brings it back to his parents, they curiously ask where did he find the meat he replies “Silva told me about it, I believe it is poisoned.”

Ian calls the police who arrive twenty minutes later. The officer looks suspiciously at the slice of steak then walks out into the woods behind the house. A few minutes later more police show up, Ian asks one of the officers why they are here to which one of them replies “our fellow officer needed help to look for more of these steaks.” In all the police recover ten slices of steak. Even the K9 units they had with them would take a bite of the steak. The police let Jims parents know if the meat was tainted when the results would come back from the crime lab. Relieved that the tainted meat was removed from the woods Jim sits on the sofa watching his father rub Silva’s belly. His thoughts drift back to the fox and the memories of him.

When Jim asks his parents if they ever owned a fox they both go pale in the face. They tell him that Jim was once friends with a fox named Arctos when they lived in Vermont. His mother explains that her brother told her that he could communicate with animals when he was young and Jim apparently had the same ability. Jim asks “why didn’t you tell me any of this?” his mother says “we didn’t want you to be hurt after finding out Arctos was gone” He replies “I am upset because I couldn’t even remember my own friend.”

That night Denise, Jim’s mother calls her brother in Vermont. She tells him how Jim has bonded with a wolf named Silva and how he can talk to her. Her brother tells her he will be on the next flight to Vermont and that he had to explain some things to Jim. After he said that he hung up leaving his sister curious as to what he was going to say. The next day Jim takes a day off from school since he comes down with a small fever. He sniggers at his father who spent most of the day staring blankly at the TV screen.

The doorbell rings and his mother opens it to find her brother standing there with his suitcase in hand. Silva pads into the room and looks up at him. He smiles and pets her on the head saying “she is a good wolf” his sister nods saying “she saved Jim when we had someone break into our house.” Silva licks his hand and looks at Jim saying “it has been a long time although I don’t think you remember me I am your Uncle John” Jim hugs his uncle saying “of course I remember you.” Later that night John gives Jim a small present which contains a small pendant in the shape of a wolf’s head. Jim thanks his uncle for the gift and watches as he takes a small piece of Silva’s fur and ties it to the leather string the pendant is attached to. He tells Jim all he has to do is squeeze the piece of fur and Silva will come to him.

Jim returns to school the following day, his uncle drops him off before he gets out of the car he thanks his uncle again for the pendant and hugs Silva goodbye. He watches as the car disappears from view.

Jim walks towards the main entrance to the school when Bobby and his group of thugs blocks his way. Bobby pushes Jim saying “how’s it going wolf lover” Jim’s left hand tightens into a fist. Jim looks at Bobby saying “I don’t have time for this Bobby please just leave me alone” Bobbies eyes narrow he replies “what the hell are you going to do about it” Jim tries to walk around Bobby but he gets in the way again. He looks at Jim saying “did I say you could go” looking up into Bobbies face Jim replies “I didn’t know I needed permission from a giant idiot like you to go anywhere” Bobby punches Jim in the stomach and watches as he falls to the ground. Jim watches in horror as Bobby pulls out a large hunting knife most of Bobbies friends tell him to relax and that Jim isn’t worth the time. Despite their pleadings Bobby says “I should have done this a long time ago” just as he raises the knife Silva comes running across the parking lot and bites into Bobbie’s hand that is holding the knife. Bobby immediately drops the knife and starts to wreath in pain. The SRO comes running over to where Bobby and Jim are seeing the knife on the ground he arrests Bobby.

Silva is nowhere to be seen; when Jim gets home his parents are relieved to see he is ok. An officer later arrives telling them that Bobby confessed to drawing the knife on their son at the high school. Jim’s parents press charges against Bobby, Bobby is later sent to serve a 60 day sentence in jail. Jim hugs Silva tightly thanking her for saving him she says “you have saved my life more than once and I figured I would return the favor” He smiles as he watches his parents close the door after the officer has left. His uncle stands by saying “I thought that giving you the necklace was the right choice” Jim thanks his uncle once again and heads off to bed with Silva at his side.

Part 3

The weekend finally came and Silva seemed to be bursting with energy. When Jim asked her why she was so giddy she replied that there was going to be a full moon soon. The full moon finally arrived on Saturday night; Jim sat with Silva on the back porch looking up at the sky. The clouds parted like the curtains on celestial stage revealing the moon. It was at its zenith in the heavenly bodies above them. From all around the darkness fled in its light, the trees swayed in a gently breeze. The grass took on an eerie glow, Silva through back her head and from her throat came a bone chilling howl. To Jim this seemed like Silva was showing her very essence with him and it was his to share in.

As the moon disappeared back behind the curtain of black clouds it left a few rays to light up the dark. Jim still looking at Silva notices her posture has changed; instead of being relaxed she seemed like a statue waiting for something. He says “what’s wrong” she replies quickly “there are three hunters approaching the house from the woods” Jim looks towards the woods and sees three shadowy figures flitting between the trees. Jim stands and walks into the house leaving Silva on the deck watching as the hunters approach closer. He finds his father sitting in a recliner watching the college football game on the TV. His face shows no expressions and he doesn’t move except for the occasional twitch of the remote as he changes the channel. He is wearing a pair of paint stained shorts and a shirt with the faded image of a grizzly bear on it.

Ian now noticing his son has entered the room from the door leading to the deck asks “what’s wrong” seeing his son’s face twisted with concern. Jim replies “Dad there is three hunters approaching from the woods” Ian replies “are you sure?” he nods. Getting up from the chair Ian walks over to the gun cabinet across from the kitchen. Pulling out a shotgun he loads the shells into it.

His father walks out onto the deck and notices Silva’s tensed pose. Point the gun towards the woods he says “get off my land and leave my family alone” no response comes from the silent woods. He fires the into the upper parts of a tree near one of the shadowy shapes. A rain of branches and shattered wood coming crashing down around the man underneath it. He yelps as he is pelted with wood, the others near him take notice and scurry away. One of the men Ian was able to recognize as Bobbies father who had got a suspended sentence for his activities with the Anti-Wolf Coalition. Ian looks at his son saying “well then I will deal with this in the morning for now it is over” he pats Silva on the head and goes back inside to watch the rest of the game. Jim hugs Silva tightly and says “thanks for telling me they were coming otherwise something might have happened” she wags her tail happily and licks his face.

The next day Ian and Jim’s Uncle John go into town while Jim remains at home with Silva and his mother Denise. Around 2:00, Jim’s father’s car pulled into the driveway. John got out of the driver’s side door and walked to the front of the house. Denise Jim’s mother noticed that her husband wasn’t with him and asked “what happened” John says “we got down there and walked into the place. Those guys jumped us as soon as we stepped foot in the door. Ian managed to punch one of them before they knocked him out with a chair. I got a few without any injuries, it was odd that they attacked us without any provocation since we were only going there to talk to them and ask if they could leave you and your family alone.” Denise hearing this says “where’s Ian now?” John replies “He is at the hospital now.” They drove to the hospital where Jim’s father lay quietly underneath a white blanket. Jim bends over and kisses his father on the forehead. Jim and his mother wait for him to wake up; Jim looks around and sees his uncle talking to a couple of police officers in the hallway. He explains what had happened the night before and what recently happened at the Anti-Wolf Coalition building.

Ian wakes up two hours later he looks blurrily at his family who are sat next to them and asks “where am I.” John explains why he is in the hospital and also tells him that the police are going to arrest Bobbie’s father and his friends. They will be charged with harassment and aggravated assault. Jim’s father is released from the hospital two days later when he arrives home Silva jumps on him giving him a slobbery wolf kisses. Silva approaches Jim who is sitting in his room doing homework she says “I want to come to school with you tomorrow” he asks “why?” Silva says “because people might try to beat you up for what happened to Bobbies father and don’t think you can talk me out of it” Jim seeing there is no point in arguing with her merely nods yes.

The next morning Silva patiently waits for Jim to get up. But he starts to sleep in after ignoring the alarm had already gone off. She decides to wake him up herself; she presses her cold nose to Jim’s backside. He wakes with a startled yelp, Silva quietly sniggers and he looks angrily at her saying “yeah this is really funny” she says “well I wouldn’t have done it if you only had gotten up when your alarm clock went off.” Grumbling Jim pats his bed head down and asks “what’s for breakfast” she says “your mother is making pancakes” Jim walks out of his bedroom and towards the kitchen with Silva trailing after him. After Jim takes a shower and gets dressed Silva says “ready” he nods and goes outside and watches as his father kisses his mother goodbye then he gets into the car. Starting it Ian looks into the back seat and says “is it really wise bring Silva with you to school” Jim replies “she won’t take no for an answer” Ian shrugs and says “ok.”

When Jim arrives at school and gets out of the car, kids immediately start to whisper among themselves as they see Silva. When he enters the school, the students try to avoid Silva as she walks besides him. The SRO looked as he would faint when he saw Silva but said nothing and just went on his way. Jim’s first period teacher Mrs. Rathbone eyes nearly pop out of her head as she sees Silva, she asks “please keep her quiet this time Mr. Bromley if you please” Jim says “sure will Mrs. R.” Jim takes his seat and Silva lies on the floor by him ignoring the various gazes directed towards their direction.

After first period Jim is confronted by the principal Mr. Graves. Jim says “how are you Mr. Graves” Mr. Graves replies “I am fine Jim” his gaze lingers on Silva and he then asks “I suppose she won’t cause any disruptions this time” Jim says “no she won’t.” Mr. Graves lifts his hand towards Silva; she sniffs it and licks it gently. Silva allows him to pet her and he says “just between you and me I always like wolves even when I was a boy I was always fascinated by them” Jim smiles and watches as Mr. Graves walks away with a spring in his step. Throughout the rest of the day people come up to Jim and ask him to pet Silva. He says “that’s for her to decide” Silva on every occasion lets people pet her and even howling once or twice.

When Jim reached fifth period with his favorite teacher Ms. Lyons he was dead tired from having so many asking to see Silva. Ms. Lyons who is more than thrilled to have a wolf in the class asks Jim to bring Silva to the front of the class since they are studying wildlife. Ms. Lyons points to the different parts of Silva’s body showing how wolves have adapted to survive in nature. At the end of class Ms. Lyons asks Jim if she could examine Silva with her permission of course. She checks Silva’s heartbeat with a stethoscope and Silva winces saying “it is cold.” After she is done Jim asks “how do you know what to look for” she replies “before I became a teacher I was a veterinarian” he says “why did you leave?” she says “it didn’t pay well enough so I decided to leave I still miss it but I enjoy teaching.” Jim smiles and says good bye to Ms. Lyons and he makes his way to the parking lot where his father is waiting to pick him up. On the way home Jim watches as the landscape rolls by and thinks on the memories of Arctos.

Part 4

Silva’s heart starts to pound even harder as the scent of the humans reaches her nostrils. Liquid fear spreads with each pound of her heart throughout her body. A bullet whizzes by her head and hit’s the tree behind her. She tucks her tail and starts to shake. She runs from the approaching footsteps of the humans not far behind her. A bullet slams into her flank and passes right through her body. Limping deeper into the forest she leaves a trail of red that stains the snow. Coming across a small brook she lowers herself into the cold water. The blood is washed off of the wound and the coldness numbs the pain. Getting weaker she feels death’s grip on her heart tighten. White needles of pain surge through her brain, falling to the ground dizzily she blacks out. The next thing she knows there is no pain but a new sense of fear grips her as she looks upon a strange sight.

She sees herself lying on the ground; her head slumped over her front paws. The wound at her side creates a large red spot beneath her. Silently she says “this isn’t possible” the humans see her lying on the ground they cheer and give each other high fives. Grabbing her body by the hind leg they drag it away.

Silva wakes up; her fur is covered in sweat. The blankets around her are twisted around her because of the thrashing she had done while sleeping. She says “good it was just a dream.” Getting up from her blankets she stretches herself in the warm rays of sunlight that are emitted through the window. Pawing at the wooden door to the bedroom, Jim wakes up hearing the scratching he looks at her saying “what are you doing?” she says “I am hungry.” Jim pulls the covers off of himself exposing his pallid skinny legs. He opens the door and lets Silva out, she trots into the kitchen waiting for Jim to make his way across the cold floors. Jim says “sorry Silva but we ran out of raw meat and I am afraid all we have left is dog food” she says “that’s fine, I don’t mind as long as I eat” Jim pulls the tab on the can of dog food and pours its contents into a bowl. He places the bowl in the microwave and presses the buttons to cook it for about a minute. Silva waits for the microwave to finish, Jim pats her on the head and she affectionately licks his hand. The microwave pings as it is finishes warming the dog food. Jim puts the bowl on the floor and Silva eats it happily. Later on Jim goes with his father to the store leaving Silva at home. She hears the frantic yelping of a wolf coming from the woods behind the house. Rushing to the window she looks out to see a wolf probably a couple months old. His grey fur is glistening with sweat and a small cut on his chest trickles with blood. Making her way outdoors the young wolf sees her and runs towards the house. Behind him a couple hunters chase after him. But once he reaches the house they stop and turn back into the woods.

The young wolf pup collapses at her feet; she picks him up by the scruff and brings him into the house. She tenderly cleans his wounds, she realizes that this pup his probably been on the run for days since he is nothing but skin and bones. The young wolf says “where am I?” she quietly says “it’s alright you are safe now” he smiles up at her and says “my name is Lunar what’s yours?” she replies “I am Silva.” Jim arrives a couple hours later and he is surprised to find more than one wolf in his house, he asks “Silva who is this and how did he get here?” Silva looks at him saying “this is Lunar and he was being chased by a couple hunters” his eyes widen “really?” she nods. He looks at the sleeping pup and pats him on the head. Lunar wakes up and starts to whimper when seeing a human, Silva calms him down and says “he won’t hurt you, he is my best friend” Lunar says “ok” he cautiously licks Jims hand and sniffs it. He says “I have remember your scent but I cannot remember where” Jim says “I would have remembered if I met a wolf cub” Lunar replies “I have seen you in my dreams” Jim says “this is odd but I feel as if I have met you before” Jim picks up the little wolf and presses him against his chest. As he does this a torrent of memories enters his mind. Everything from his life in Vermont comes back to him. When the flood stops he says “Arctos” the little wolf’s ears perk up at the sound of the name. Silva asks “what did you say Jim” he says “I think this wolf is Arctos” she says “that’s impossible Arctos is dead” he replies “well how do you explain that he remembers meeting me and has dreams of me. Also how come I feel like I must have known him from somewhere?” she shrugs her shoulders. Jim looks at Lunar again and says “Arctos is it really you” Lunar nods saying “yes it is, I am happy to have found you again Jim” Jim hugs him tightly.

Jim tells his parents why there is a wolf cub in their house and explains that the wolf is actually Arctos reincarnated. At first they are skeptical but as their son explains some of the details that only Arctos and himself could have known they begin to accept it. That night was a particularly cold one and Jim shivered like crazy. All of a sudden he felt very warm as Silva and Lunar both crawled into his bed. Placing themselves on either side of him he says “thanks” they both nod and watch him fall back to sleep.

During the night snow begins to fall covering the land in a white wonderland. Silva wakes up Jim up and pulling on his shirt brings him to the back door. He sleepily rubs his eyes and says “what Silva...” his sentence is cut short as he views the snow. He says “wait I will be right back” she nods and watches as he disappears back into his bedroom. He comes back out fully dressed with Lunar at his side. He opens the door and both wolves rush outdoors. He throws a snowball at Silva; she says “hey” and jumps on him yipping happily. Lunar joins in the tussle, just then Silva stands still and says “Jim I think the hunters are back” she rushes into the woods hoping to lead them away from the house. Jim calls after her but she doesn’t answer, the hunters open fire at Silva and one of the bullets penetrates her body.

She tumbles but manages to continue to run. More bullets whiz on by but she ignores them. Her vision starts to blur and she feels lightheaded. Inside her heart slams against her rib cage like it is trying to escape. She falls into a brook and she realizes this all seems too familiar, she starts to panic saying “I don’t wanna die” she whimpers tucking her tail. She climbs out of the brook and heads farther into the forest. Jim after seeing the hunters chases Silva he runs into the house telling his parents to call the police. His father grabs his gun saying “I thought we put a stop to this” Jim replies “apparently not.”

Silva falls exhausted to the ground, her life slowly fading away. The hunters gather around her but just as they go to finish her. Jim and his father show up Jim’s father says “put down your weapons” one of the hunters says “why should we it is just a wolf” Jim says “yeah she is my wolf!” A couple of police officers step out from the woods and tell the men to drop their weapons which they do. Jim lays Silva’s head in his lap and gently strokes her on the head. She says “I am sorry Jim” he says “you have nothing to be sorry about” she replies “I don’t think I am going to make it” he shakes his head no saying “yes you will” she closes her eyes and passes out.

Two weeks later Silva is lying on Jims couch with Lunar on the floor watching the images of a wolf on the TV. Jim comes into the room holding something behind his back. She asks “what do you have Jim?” he says “a present for you and Lunar” he pulls out a couple of brown leather collars with a brass name tag hanging from them. He puts one on Silva and the other on Lunar saying “this is my present to my very best friends” Silva licks his face as does Lunar. Silva was taken to a vet after the hunters were arrested; luckily they were able to save her life. The hunters were placed on charges of trespassing on private property. Jim’s father Ian placed a higher fence around the property and had it declared protected land because of the two wolves that lived on it. They were never bothered by hunters again.

The End.