Chapter 1 - Waking

Realizing you are coming to surrounded by voices is very disconcerting.  But, when you realize the voices are discussing the best way to kill and eat you, you realize things are a little beyond out of the norm.

Attempting to sit up quickly my head makes a dull thunking sound against the dirt and roots above my head.  Looking up at the faint light from the opening outlining the furry bodies of my captors, I’m shocked to realize it is a fox speaking ardently about releasing me and then chasing me down for the kill.  Two wolves and a cougar are nodding in agreement, muttering something about the excitement of hunting me down. 

Glancing off to the side the sounds of snuffling and lip-smacking give away the position of a badger.  Its deep rumbling voice sounds in the dimness.  “Kill him. Here.  Now.  Sooner.  Better.” 

The rabbits with whiskers tense, eyes reflecting the light, fidget among themselves.  Not used to bloody kills they nervously shift and tentatively suggest pushing me into a pit trap.  I gather from this that it is quite deep and a fall into it, fatal. 

I jerk back feeling small furred creatures brush my bare torn feet.  Squeaking and scurrying about continuously brushing my skin not covered by my torn clothing they suggest that I be held down while they sample my flesh.  Apparently concerned for their own safety, not so much my comfort. 

I regain my voice and speak shakily to these creatures, pulling my knees up to my chest, not only for warmth but an unconscious need to protect myself.

“Wh …wh…at is happening?  Why?”

The fox eyes gleaming approaches and sniffs me.  Stepping back as my smell hits him he looks curiously at me.  Speaking as if to a child, “How is it you understand the forest folk?”

“Your kind blunders about, idiot oafs, taking what you may.  Humpf. Seems we have one with a bit of a spark in him.  This may be more interesting than eating his flesh my friends.”  Glancing about, I notice they all have gone still watching me.  The cougar blinks an eye, licks his lips.

 

Trembling in fear, I slowly inch towards the opening of the cave mouth.  Growls ripple from the wolves throats causing me to stop immediately. 

The fox, badger and rabbits hold a caucus at the entrance, discussing the development of my understanding their language.  Glancing at me from time to time, they seem to be intrigued and yet with the harsh winter winds picking up my trepidation grows that I will become a food source much sooner than later as the badger wishes.    

         

Minutes pass as if they are hours, no possible escape available to me.  My bare toes digging into the dirt, I shiver as it becomes later and colder.

At last the group breaks up and the fox approaches again the mice scattering before him. 

“We have decided to spare you for the moment, oaf.  Know that you can be found and slaughtered at any moment.  In return for this generous kindness, we expect you to make daily deliverance this season of grains and meat to this cave.  Miss a single day and you forfeit your life to feeding our bodies.”

Nodding my understanding, I inch forward towards the opening again, the stench of my fear strong on me.  The fox stands unmoved watching me, and demands, “Do you understand, oaf?  You will die if you do not return.”  Trembling I nod again rapidly, tears pouring down my mud-streaked face.  The forest folk slowly step back leaving a path for me to crawl unhindered out of the cave.  Their eyes telling me how close I have been to my demise. 

Standing slowly, I drop into a slow painful lope towards home. Off to either side, wolves and a cougar pace me, giving me reason to never doubt the reality of what has just happened.

Author's Note

Please feel free to give any constructive criticism you wish, looking to learn from this writing experience :) Thank you all.

Reviews

[FJ Davis]

A charming, riveting start to what could be a very successful children's story. It's also a little scary, and that certainly can't't hurt.
Don't abandon this.

[Jeremy Wyatt]

He he fun, fun , this sounds great! Glad you pointed me here. This sounds like it will develope into an epic, well done Judy ;o)

[Icarus Thoreau]

This is really interesting..and a really good start to the story. If I may make a suggestion, and say that it could use a few more adjectives to keep the imagry alive. The first paragraph was a little bit confusing to me, I had to read it over a few times, asking myself "coming to where?" Maybe use a different verb here? Other than that, I'm impressed. I'm really interested in reading the rest of it. I'm also in the process of writing a book, if you would like to review. I haven't posted it yet, but would love some critisism and reviewing, if you wanted. Nice work!