Time to Search

Mama had told Thompson before they left that she really did appreciate him holding onto Charlie, Lasso, and Bones. He tried one more time to get her to stay for at least one more day but she gently denied it, not wanting to be a bother any longer. Mama was about to leave the tent with Thompson got an idea. "What if me and Davy went with you?" He asked. Mama Williams was taken back by the question. "Oh no you really don't have to, we can handle things on our own.....for the most part" she mumbled the last bit but Thompson got up. "Williams, let us come with, just to help look over things" he gave her a reassuring smile. She was too tired to argue so she caved very quickly this time. Thompson and Mama Williams stepped out just in time to see Davy sulking away from Lasso. "Davy we're going too, get your stuff" Thompson ordered and he didn't question a thing. He just nodded and jogged off. Mama's group was ready to go but they had to wait for Davy and Thompson. Bones was crouched with Charlie, looking at different bugs and small mushrooms when Lasso shuffled over to Mama Williams.

"Aren't we going." He muttered grumpily. "Yes, we'll leave in a few minutes" she gently told him. He sighed, clearly annoyed and laid his head on her shoulder. She felt his big hands grip at her sleeve, gently tugging at it. He was trying to signal to her that he wants to leave now. She understood he wanted to go find Shiny and X but she had also promised Thompson that they would wait for him and Davy. Mama gently took Lasso's hat off him and held it in front of his hands, trying to get him to at least stop tugging on her sleeve like a little kid. She gently leaned her cheek against the top of his head, running her fingers through his mess of dark brown hair. She looked down and saw him gripping the brim of his hat tightly. Mama gently rubbed his head, trying to reassure him that they'll be going to find the other two very soon.

Penny walked over to the two boys crouched by the trees, digging with their hands. "What are you two doing?" She quietly asked but neither of them paid attention to her. Instead of asking again she looked over Bones's shoulder and saw they found a little rodent. It appeared to be a normal mouse that Bones was blocking so Charlie's could catch it. "Boys leave that poor mouse alone-" she said but earned a dirty glare from Bones that quickly made her back off. She watched Charlie suddenly dive forward then Bones quickly crawled and snatched something. He stood back up with the small mouse in his large hands. Bones quickly went to Mama Williams and Lasso to show them his and Charlie's prize. "Bones- go put that down baby-" Mama sighed as she watched him trudge back to the tree Charlie was still crouched at. He leaned down and let the small mouse scurry away with a disappointed look. Charlie also looked disappointed at the fact that their hard work was immediately let go.

Davy and Thompson came to them with satchels over their shoulders. "Took them long enough." Lasso grumbled, while Mama took his hat from him and put it back on him. "Be nice" she told him while gently tapping his hat over his eyes. Lasso grumbled and flicked his hat back up. "Sorry- Davy was trying to find his damn lamp" Thompson apologized and Mama just shrugged. "Let's get going" she told her group and the two additions. They decided to just walk since the clopping of the horses's hooves would possibly attract predators that Mama's group didn't know how to handle yet. Now it was time to begin their long trek to find the other two that are lost.

{Shiny and X}

           The small fox chittered while cuddling up against Shiny's leg. The calm feeling the fox brought was now gone as he stared at the orange wild flowers. As he studied them he noticed two orange ears occasionally twitching, like it was trying to hear something. Shiny finally found the eyes of the beast staring back at him. It was larger than a wolf but had the colorings of a fox is what he saw as it slowly crept out of the bushes. A large snark was painted across the beast's face, drool dripping from it's big teeth. The "wildflowers" appeared to be skin tags on the beast that made camouflage easier to accomplish. Shiny didn't dare move or make a sound. It was obvious that this one can definitely see due to it's beady black eyes focused on the man with it's baby cuddled against him. The beast did not growl. The only thing that Shiny could hear was his own heartbeat pounding against his chest. He gently tried to shoo the baby fox back to what Shiny assumed was it's mother when the little fox let out a loud screech. Not of pain, just of excitement but that was enough to send the mama barreling towards them with incredible speed. All Shiny's panicked mind could think of his quickly standing up, picking the fox up and holding it out in front of him, praying that was enough to stop the mama.

             He shut his eyes and looked away, acting as a flimsy shield for X who had not stirred. The swift sound of paws came to a dirt flying halt as the mama sniffed it's own baby that was being held up by Shiny. He then felt teeth skim his hand as the mother gently took the baby fox from him, growling softly while slowly turning away. Shiny watched the beast slowly disappear into the trees, still carrying the baby by it's scruff. He watched that area for awhile, even after all the noises of the forest had resumed. Finally he convinced himself that she was gone and the next thing he knew his knees had buckled. Shiny collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily to stop the burning in his lungs that was caused from him holding his breath for so long. He flipped onto his back and starred at the bright blue sky, trying to calm himself back down. Once his breathing was back to normal and his heart rate felt slower he looked over at X. The man had not moved whatsoever, at least Shiny thought. Most of the interaction with the monster fox his eyes were shut so X could've been aware of it but had come to terms that he couldn't do anything. Shiny didn't care though. He was just glad him and his brother survived another mutant encounter.