May write it more in the near future.
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冬 至点 [Winter Solstice]
-“It feels like, the days are repeating themselves lately…”-.
It is winter in Alaska, the harshest weather to ever imagine. However, it is not as cold as being in Antarctica. It’s about December. Have I forgotten what warmth feels like? Or is this nature’s cruel way of reminding me I stand alone? Nonetheless, the streets are almost empty. The only lights seen around town are small candles. The reflection upon the sky seems as if the moon and sun is combined. Creating what I would call, ‘a blue sun’. Although I shouldn’t mind much the activity of humans, hence I am not part of them. They have out-casted any race that approaches that small village where I once used to live. They have said, “the only things allowed living around these parts are us humans, or our pets!”. Their judgmental ways have deprived us from being free. Making us territorial, killing our own kind for a so called ‘survival’. And to make matters worse, they have begun to exterminate us. Saying they need our skin for their own ‘survival’. Is it our fault that they have decided to live where they have not adapted? And then they call us animals… No, I don’t possess hatred against humans. I just don’t seem to understand what they call ‘their reasons’. Or ‘their justification’, however they may call it. “Are we all to blame?”.
I find myself walking, far from such town. I’d rather stay away from potential danger. But as I place my paws on the snow, I begin to debate which is more dangerous. The town full of guns and killing people? Or the wilderness, packed with all kinds of killing beings? Not much to choose from. But considering I am an ‘animal’, I have no choice left. Every living being must be cautious, when walking. Wherever, whenever. It’s the rule of nature. And life itself.
-Twitch twitch, “what was that?”-.
There was a sound, like a breaking weak and dry branch. From walking sadly, I had to pitch my senses. I had to be more alert and awake. I had to be ready to fend, possibly for my life. Out of the haze created by the cold weather, there they appeared. A strong pack appeared. A large group of wolves, with their alpha’s. Oh, I forgot to mention, I may have the size of a wolf… But the twist was, I was a fox. They looked at me. A second look wasn’t necessary. I realized they were hungry. Their mouth’s watered at their sight of me.
-“What do we have here? A fox the size of a wolf? Aren’t you the odd one…”- The alpha male expressed. A bit in the cocky manner.
-“Well, we’ll have dinner tonight!” – His alpha female replied. Before I could even speak for myself.
-“Uhm…” – I gulped hardly. I was obviously afraid. –“Yes… as much as ‘odd’ goes… Wouldn’t you perhaps, give thy chance? For us to leave without harm?”-.
They all shared laughter. It was humorous. I couldn’t help it, I despised fights. But I guess it was time. I had to defend myself. It might even cost my own life.
-“I thought foxes were sly, not stupid” – what seemed to be the jester of the pack expressed.
-“I bet to differ, dear jester. I just don’t like a conflict that is all…” – I sighed deeply.
They grinded their teeth, they were ready to attack. However, I guess they were passive aggressive. Since the only one offered to take me down, was the alpha female. She stepped forth as the rest watched. I shrugged. I hated the instinct that drove my madness. But I guess it was part of living. I felt the rush. My muscles were trembling as they began contracting. Was it the rage? Or was it the adrenaline?. Or maybe even the action of fighting. Whatever it was, I was feeling it.
In a mere second, our bodies met. Not in the positive way. An exchange of gruesome scratches occurred. Forceful bites were made. The pure blood was everywhere. It began to stain the snow. My only concern was two. Either I was going to die there. Or the smell might attract a bigger foe. Like perhaps a bear. Nonetheless, blows were delivered.
After an intense encounter, one was finally victorious. She fell in defeat, I did not. I managed to live. That was my satisfaction, plastered in a slight smile. However, her alpha thought differently. He looked enraged.
-“How dare you shame our name… You will pay dearly, now that you’re weak!”- The alpha male yelled as he rushed forward.
It was all in an instant. I felt fatigued and weak. Therefore, all I could notice was blurry movements. But then I felt a crippling pain on my lump. I whimpered loudly in pain as my instinct allowed me. He dragged me a few feet closer to his herd. Though then I felt he suddenly stopped. Was it for compassion?
-“Did you hear that?”- His deep voice asked as the rest looked about.
I only took a glimpse of the area. The blood loss made my vision blurry. It was impossible to see beyond my nose. However, I did hear another sound. An alarming sound of deep steps in the snow. I feared it was a bear. Which might gorge it’s self upon the two weak canines. I closed my eyes, ready to accept my possible fate.
-“How dare you; pick on the weak? If I were you, I’d drop her, this instant…”- A mysterious, male like voice said.
-“And who are you to tell, an alpha wolf what to do? You, lone wolf?”- The alpha male expressed.
Soon after he spoke, I felt my limp body hit the frigid snow. I opened my eyes as much as I could. I saw a robust, strong looking male wolf. However, his pattern was odd. His fur was like no other. It rather looked like he had patches of some kind. His main fur color was pitch, black, darker than a night’s sky. However, all around his body, in specific areas, had white patches. His fur looked rather soft yet fierce. He also possessed devilish like eyes. Ones that could penetrate the entrails of any soul. Although, there was something different about ‘him’, not found in another…
-“The name is not important. The reason I stand to you, is important, for that fox at the least”- the odd colored lone wolf replied.
-“Why would a wolf stand up, for a fox? It’s weak enough to serve as a platter for my hungry family”- the alpha male expressed with a grin.
The other wolf remained silent, sighing deeply. He looked down at me. Maybe he felt pity, maybe he felt compassionate. Maybe it was something else… He opened his mouth, revealing greater teeth than the alphas. His fangs were razor sharp like no other. He chuckled, as if ready for what was to come.
-“I could tell you a million reasons. But like every other selfish wolf, you’d disagree”- the differently colored wolf said, as he approached to me cautiously.
The compassion soon turned into aggression. The alpha had leaped forward to attack. The wolf that had approached my hurting body, snarled. He quickly turned as the leap turned into a twist. Their bodies rolled upon the snow. Howls, barks and slashing like sounds were heard. They echoed in the deep forest. Whimpers, cries and groans were shared by the alpha. It seemed like the odd colored loner was far stronger. Suddenly, the alphas opponent took a biting grip on his back. A loud and agonizing cry was heard. Followed by a harsh and breaking sound. I saw it all. Was this the way male’s fight?
-“No wonder the alpha female was the one to wear me out…”-.
Victorious, the other male howled. His howl was deep and strong. It is said that the stronger the howl, the stronger the wolf is considered.
-“Anyone else?” – The victor asked as he glared at the pack. They were all terrorized.
They all shook their heads. However, the wounded alpha female approached him. She was interested in his strength. He, in the contraire, was not.
-“Get the hell away from me…”- he huffed as he walked past her and approached me instead.
Defeated and in shame, they dragged their leader’s body away. Soon, they disappeared in the haze and mist. I was unmoving. Too hurt to move from the spot. Too weak to even elevate my head from the snow. I closed my eyes. Praying for mercy, from heaven’s above. In the pain, sorrow and fear, I felt a gentle graze. It felt sweet and heartwarming… Where did it come from? My cheek felt warm, I felt a soft touch. I opened my eyes once more. To my surprise, it was him. What would I call him? Savior? Master? He did save my life and spared it as well…
-“Why… do you do that?...”- I shyly yet curiously asked.
What seemed to be a scary and aggressive wolf; was not. In reality, he was ‘one of those’. Some call it, “one in a million”. He didn’t smile, but in his eyes I saw, he felt happy.
-“Am I not allowed to?”- he somewhat answered and chuckled.
I felt warm on the inside. Had I fallen for that unknown male? Was it because he had saved me? Or, was it because we had something in common...
-“I never said that… It’s just strange… you’re a Wolf… and I’m a Fox…”- I replied, my voice decaying from weakness.
He took a deep breath. His view rose as he stared at the night sky. The beaming blue sun’s light lit the way and forest. It was similar to the moon’s moonlight. He seemed to contemplate. He was utterly silent. A breath escaped his mouth. The heat of his breath, revealed by the cold mist.
-“Each of us both is different. One more than the other. Perhaps you are far more different that I can predict. Or maybe I am far more than what meets the eye. Who am I to tell?”- He lowered his view and stared at the dark colored pine trees. –“Humans talk about being unique. Should it be called so? Because deep down we; are all unique. But the question is, how unique are we? Are we physically different? Or; internally worlds apart? Who can tell but ourselves? Nonetheless, whatever our reason may tell us, we know the truth. We know ourselves. Which comes to the answer you’re longing for…”- He lowered his eyes, staring at my shivering body. –“You and I, are not so different. Our kinds may be apart. But deep down, we share things. You are alone. I am an outcast. I was exiled. You were almost killed. Our appearances are bizarre. But in reality, there’s so many things I feel we could share”- He lay on top of me.
I was speechless. Shy, I felt warm inside. Was it gravity that pulled ‘us’ ‘together’? Or, was he right? Maybe there was a chance to give. Maybe something else, we could be…
-“So… was it… compassion?”- I tried to debate. I felt defensive. It’s not like I haven’t been betrayed by another male.
He shook his head. He licked my cheek he had caressed earlier.
-“You ask too much. The answers are so complex. I won’t tell you to give into your instinct”- he looked about, making sure it was safe to stay there for the upcoming night.
-“Give in? Can he tell, I already feel something so suddenly? Is it too soon? Is my heart wrong? But it feels so right…”-.
-“However, I will tell you one thing. Never let something consume you…” – he lowered his head.
In his hidden eyes I could see the sorrow. The kind of pain that hurts the soul. Which becomes so heavy, unable to bare alone. He mentioned out-casted. So I inferred he was expulsed from his group. With so much pride, it’s hard for a Wolf to stand alone. It consumes all hopes, faith and dreams. When that tormenting oblivion is faced, alone. It does take, long thought to outcome such anguish. However, it does press changes into the living being. I decided to break the silence.
-“Then… what… led you here?”- I asked out of the blue, trying to change his mood.
-“If you must know, I heard groans and painful moans. And like a shark’s senses, I picked up the scent of fresh blood. I must say, you are one fast and sly fox”- he chuckled lightly.-“It’s a shame they refused to let you be. I was going to leave. But I intervened when I saw what that ‘alpha’ did…”- he growled. He seemed mad for what had happened. –“But, at least you’re safe”-.
If I were a human, he’d see me blush.
-“You do possess a kind heart…”- he expressed, his eyes gazing into mine. –“You even have the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen”-.
-“Well… thank you? ...”- I blinked twice as I shifted my view somewhere else. My ears perked up as I realized something. –“Uhm…”-.
He knew what my paused question was, -“the name’s Zeno…”- he had answered.
-“Pleased… to meet you… Zeno… Even if it was… under certain circumstances…”- I answered slowly with a slight smile. –“My name’s Kris…”-.
-“Odd name, I’ve heard of Chris… but in males…”-.
-“Don’t push it…”- I growled playfully, yet very lightly.
-“Ah-hah”- he snickered. –“Well Kris, it looks like it’s going to be a long night. I hope you don’t mind my position…”-.
-“Don’t worry… as long as you don’t try something I wouldn’t recommend…”- I sighed as I closed my eyes.
-“Tsk”- he chuckled once more. –“Time will tell if I would consider ‘such actions’… I mean, after all. Everything is possible…”-.
-“Let’s not… rush things… nor take much details… in that matter…”- I replied. My trust towards males was rather shattered.
He tilted his head in curiosity. –“Don’t worry Kris… I can’t make you believe what they all say. ‘I’m not like that’ but I assure you… I can show you…”-.
I remained silent. I left a small gap of my eye open to see what he would do next. It was rather odd for me. He simply laid his head close to mine and began to slumber.
-“What could he possibly show me? How he can betray me, like all the others? ... Although he’s right… there’s always a chance in something…”-.
It wasn’t long until I reached that fantastical realm. What some call ‘dream land ’. Others call it by a scientific name. Whatever you may call it, it’s up to you. I found myself running, from who knows what. I had short breaths. I felt exhausted. But I kept running regardless. There was no surrounding. It was just a vast land of snow. My muscles contracted and relaxed. It was a repeated procedure combined with heavy breathing. Who knows how fast I was going. Maybe 45mph, or 65mph, what a wolf sized canine would reach. I kept running endlessly. In a mere instant, there was a gap on the land. Crossing it was a thing of life or death. Either I made a perfect jump… Or face a fatal fate by plummeting to the rocks below. It felt so real, I didn’t know if it was real or a nightmare. I did as I could. What I thought that would be a perfect jump... I failed. Just by a mere inch, I couldn’t reach the other side’s edge. So I fell into the darkness of the gap. But instead of facing instant death, I was left wounded. I whimpered and cried. Only to attract a pack of hungry wolves. It was definitely a nightmare. I struggled to stand. I struggled to stay and fend. In the midst of all, I heard my name. It called gently yet loud. It called several times and more.
-“Kris, wake up! You’re having a nightmare!”- Zeno shook my body gently, trying to wake me up. –“Kris!”- he called once. –“Kris!!”- He called again.
Slowly, after the few shouts I woke up. Zeno managed to break the barrier that was keeping me asleep. I looked around, a bit aroused. I was a bit scared, like a being would after a nightmare. I then fixed my eyes upon him.
-“Welcome back to reality… You seemed to have had a pretty bad nightmare…”- Zeno sighed in certain relief as he slowly stood from me.
-“Thanks…”- I simply replied as I wobbled to stand. With his help, I finally did.
-“Your very welcome”- he seemed to have smiled warmly. –“Let’s get going. It’s hunting season. And quite honestly, I wouldn’t want either of us to be on a wall as decoration. Nor be stripped off to be fur coats”- he said coldly, in light fear while shuddering.
I simply nodded as I limped. We managed to walk a pretty decent distance. In fact, if it wasn’t for him, I would be on those wolves stomach’s by now. We kept walking, constantly having small conversations. Days passed. We rested in caves, under the trees. We rested wherever it felt safe. Slowly, I began regaining my health. My lacerations began healing. It was a slow process. But I must admit, for me, it was eternal. Yet again, I found it to be fast when I was finally healthy. We shared great stories. We talked about our past. It was the part where we got to know each other more and more. He told me about the day he was exiled. There I learned that he had a serious nature and appeal. But to me, he was the best male I’ve ever met. I told him about the males who promised things, but never accomplished them. I felt shy about telling, but he needed to know the truth.
-“Well, I was the leader once. It was a great pack. However, I never chose a female. All of them were immature. I liked none of them. So they turned against me. They thought I was demoralizing what being a wolf is…”- Zeno lowered his ears while walking.
-“Zeno… you’re not to blame. I do understand wolves have a way of life. Though, in this ever changing world, some things never remain the same…” I replied, trying to comfort him I guess.
-“Yeah… They left me wounded. I was left to die… It was then, I had no choice but to keep going…”- Zeno sniffed the air. –“There’s an odd scent in the air… A bit familiar I may say…”-.
-“I can’t tell him it’s me… That’s rather embarrassing…”-.
Zeno smelt everywhere; the odor drove him a bit crazy. He started to search. It didn’t take long for him to realize. At least I thought so. He kept silent and kept walking. I said nothing, I had a hunch he knew. It was that partial time. The essence of a certain exchange to make a family. Call it what you may. I was embarrassed. How could I enter in such state? Nevertheless, it was only natural. It was naturals for females. Since that day Zeno seemed a bit shy towards me. He spoke less. I didn’t mind, yet it concerned me. But like some say, “oh well”. I couldn’t give it too much thought. All I could do was ignore the fact. After another few days, I felt relieved. The end was near for those days. “Finally!” I thought to myself. That embarrassing gap was near its end.
-“Do you want some fish?”- Zeno asked tenderly. We had approached a small frozen river.
I giggled, -“how exactly? That river is rock solid…”-.
-“Nonsense!”- he laughed as he began scraping the ice. It took him a good while to make a hole. But he finally did. He grinned widely and bowed, -“ladies first”-.
-“Why thank you”- I smiled and licked his cheek. In human terms, that would be like a kiss.
His expression gave me the thought he blushed. Right after I caught my own couple of fishes, he followed. We ate and satisfied out hunger. Lately all we had been eating were dry fruits and bark from the trees. It was all we could find. Until we thankfully reached that river. After eating, I felt uneasy. The feeling was coming from Zeno. He was staring at me. As if he had something to say. My heart raced at his gaze. His eyes could always see through mine. He could always see what was deep inside of me. And who would’ve thought. Only a couple of weeks had passed by… But I guess it’s like some say. “It takes an instant to meet someone; little time to fall for them. Takes a bit more time to love them deeply and Lifetime to forget them.”
-“Kris… I…”- Zeno expressed as he sighed. He swayed his tail slowly.
Deep inside I knew. Even though, I wanted to hear the words. Out of the nothing, a growling sound was heard. Zeno’s male instinct kicked in. He began growling back. I looked around and tilted my head lightly. He kept staring at the bushes and trees. I didn’t see a thing. All of a sudden, he began to run towards the trees. I was lost and confused. Why was he running?
-“Zeno? ...”- I called his name. But he was rather oblivious.
He kept running straight forward. It was then I heard gnarling sounds. Finally I saw what the commotion was about. It was another male.
-“Oh no… He must’ve picked up my scent…”-.
I saw violent gnarls. It was natural for me to see such thing. Especially in the wilderness. But it’s far more different and harder to see. When it’s about a friend or a dearly beloved caught in a bloody fight. My hope was that Zeno would pull through. After a good amount of time, it was finished. The victorious this time, was not Zeno. He fought as much as he could. But he couldn’t prevail. The other male began to howl lightly. He then looked at me. I knew his thoughts. It was primitive. Whichever male won the fight, she was the prize. He approached as I growled. He knew I didn’t accept him. But he forcefully took a hold of my lump. He wanted me to be his. I didn’t want to be his. I refused to be a prize. I refused to be seen as a possession. He was strong, but I was sly. I was smarter. I opened my mouth and bit his neck hardly. His grip on me was quickly lost. He cried and whimpered. I managed to push him away. Zeno raised his view from the snow. He was confused as well. I then walked up to him.
-“What… are you doing? ...”- Zeno’s pain made him speak slowly.
-“Me? Why do you ask?...”- I tilted my head and licked his wounded head. I noticed his ears lowered. It was a sign that I was right. There was something he felt.
-“You are supposed to… go with the victor…”- Zeno answered. –“And leave… the loser behind…”-.
I shook my head frantically, “haven’s no! I wouldn’t leave you like your pack did! Not for a million offerings! ...”- I almost began crying. My empathy allowed me to feel his pain. His current and the pain he felt when he was exiled. I barked at the other staring wolf. –“Besides…”- I smiled softly looking at Zeno. –“He wasn’t the one who won my heart…”-.
Zeno’s ears perked up vividly. He struggled to get up. But he refused my help to stand. He gave one mere glance at his opponent. The other wolf quickly left. Zeno was obviously taller than me. He kept staring into my eyes. I simply lowered my ears. I then approached his body. I placed myself underneath his neck. He gently rubbed his side of his face against mine. In human terms, this is what is called an embrace.
--
Final Grade/Score:
34/35
Comments:
"How can that Professor give you a 34?!? It was perfect!!"
Response:
"Hey, getting all Aces and perfects, at least a little wrong or two won't do much harm. :3 "
Obviously, didn't mean to be all 'perfect' and whatnot... x.x;
Professor's Comment:
"Just after the middle of the story, you began to re-write long sentences...".
My Response:
"It's okay, it's because it's not the same writing a Story in Spanish and English".
Professor's Response:
"Agreed".
