All Fall Down [Dak]

[Sphuul]

Lost till you're found,
Swim till you drown..

Know that we all fall down.
Love till you hate,
Strong till you break,
Know that we all fall down.

"Run! Keep running! Don't stop, child!" Sphuul ran, urged on by his mothers fading voice. He couldn't lose her, he'd die without her. His paws pounded the ground, leaving small indentions as he raced against death. The heavy breathing of the wolf kept getting louder and louder. The crashes through the brush were getting closer, and in the interrupted silence he wanted to scream, scream until he exploded and disappeared. But he had to keep running.

"Mommy!" Sphuul managed to howl as he glanced back, meeting hungry, glazed over eyes, the color of rust. The beast picked up his pace, getting ever so closer to the tiring pup. A minute more, and he would be dead, ripped open and stripped of flesh by this monster. With a cry, he turned his head, attempting to make his small legs churn even faster, but there was no use. He was spent.

The silence in front of him was broken as his mother burst through the trees, launching herself at their pursuer with a shuddering snarl. The wolf rose to meet her, and they locked together in a rage, tearing, biting, as Sphuul stuttered to a stop, looking at the action in a mixture of relief and fear. His mother hadn't abandoned him. Yet, the blood that spattered the ground and trees could be hers, mixed with the blood of the wolf that was trying to kill them. He began to whimper softly, frozen in a huddle in the sparse grass, amber eyes locked on the deathmatch in front of him.


One of the fighters fell to the ground, shuddering horribly as the lifeblood poured from its throat. He saw the rusty eyes close, a fading gasp leaving his body as he became still. It was over. The monster was dead. They would live. Sphuul glanced up at his mother, a smile beginning to tug the corners of his mouth, and his eyes widened in surprise and horror.

His mother, still standing, although bleeding in several places, was shaking, her head twitching as her maw began to spout foam. A strangled cry was uttered from her throat, escalading into a snarl as her head whipped to face him. Her eyes, normally the same color as her small sons, was now a rusty red. The color of blood. Her teeth were bared as she stared at her child without recognition.

"M..Mommy?" The pup made to stand, a questioning glance around him as he tried to move towards his mother. She gave another snarl, her legs tensing up. He stopped, watching her. What was wrong with her? Was she sick? Was she hurt? His maw opened again, as if to speak, and she launched herself at him, mouth gaping and teeth bared.

Sphuul jerked awake, panting heavily. He looked around, eyes wide in fear, ears perked in attention. He blinked rapidly, trying to get his eyes used to the darkness. Where was he? A soft sigh made his head jerk to his side, where he saw a red bundle of fur pressed against him. Recognition flashed through his face, and the brute's breathing began to slow, his features calmer. He was all right. He was in the den. It was just a dream. A dream that could no longer touch him. His mother was a months worth of walking away from them. He was... safe.

But she wasn't the only one like her out there. Going through their travels, Sphuul and Abby had not seen another living soul. Only the monsters that his mother had become. The thought of her made his shoulder ache, and he tensed, waiting for the pain to fade. He knew that there were other living wolves. They had scented them a few times, but they never pursued them. Because wolves could turn. His own mother had tried to kill him, for fuck's sake. There was no one he could trust. No one except Abby.

Sphuul glanced at her now, a small smile changing his hardened features. Fast asleep, her features were expressionless. It was the only time he saw her so calm, so still. When she was knocked out. A small chuckle rose in his throat, and he supressed it, his chest rumbling in affection. His eyes moved around the den, making sure there was nothing out of order, nothing changed since they had fallen asleep. All was well. In here, at least.

Restraining a sigh, he slowly rose to his feet, being careful not to jostle the small female, still sleeping beside him. He stretched, yawning widely as he moved softly towards the den entrance. It was small, his tall frame barely fitting through it. Any rage crazed wolf would not think to wander aimlessly in here. It would take too much concentration just getting through the entrance.

Sphuul did not make his way through the entrance and into the daylight. He sat at the entrance, ears pricked as the pattering of rain against wet, sodden ground made its way through the den. It was a gentle, peaceful sound, and the scent of wet grass wafted through as well, and the brute inhaled deeply, relishing the smell. It was a very calm morning. So far, at least. He glanced back to Abby, a smile tugging his features again. It would be, until she woke up.

[Dakki]

Dreaming was a dangerous thing. It could bring your worst nightmares out and play them before your eyes. But the most dangerous thing was that dreams could bring forward your base desire, taunt and tease you with it. Dreams pointed out just how far away your desires really were, or how close they were. They dangled them in front of you, only a tails length away, then snatched it away as soon as your eyes opened. They were shown to you and then taken away. That is why Abigale never dreamed.

Dreams were for babies. Abby never saw those moving pictures, or at least she blocked them from her memory. All she felt in her sleep was the warmth of the one resting beside her. Sphuul's heat pooled into her own body, wrapping her in a blanket of comfort. Then, without warning, her body became cold as the one beside her moved. An intense shiver wracked her frame, yet still she slept on. She was so tired, they two of them had been walking for so long, resting only when they felt safe, or found a hidden spot. Then they found this forest, surrounded in a thick, black mist. No one could find them here. Even in anyone happened upon them, their den was small and hard to squeeze into. An infected wolf would not have the need to fit into small spaces, they would just move on. So she slept on, knowing that she was safe.

Without warning her eyes sprung open. They were clear and unfocused, but she rolled over with a groan. "Five more minutes," she whined, feeling Sphuul's eyes on her. Glancing over her shoulder she peeked at the wolf through squinted eyes, still not wanting to be awake. She had not fully given up sleep, her head resting on her fluffy shoulder. But alas, she was awake. With a huff Abigale rolled once more, crawling on her belly until she reached the gray wolf. "Ugh, more sleeps," she whispered, resting her large head on her paws. Rubbing her face against the softness on them she curled her body around his. trapping him from going anywhere. She squeezed gently, a soft giggle erupting from her black maw. She knew that she was almost the exact opposite from him. He was quiet, layed back and thought before he acted. Gale... well she was hyper, acted before she thought, and wound quite tightly. She was like a land mine, you knew that she was there but you didn't know what would trigger her anger. Then BOOM! All was hell.

Abigale looked up at Sphuul, snorting rudely. "Do we have to get up?" the femme whined, nibbling at his legs. "Let's just stay here and sleep more. No more running, please," More whining. She was pathetic, she knew that. But it was fun to tease him so, to act like a small pup. Gale was older that him, but she did not act it most of the time. Curling herself around him tighter, she nibbled on his legs some more. She was a strange one, for sure. But Sphuul and her had been friends for years, he was use to her antics by now.

[Sphuul]

Lost till you're found,
Swim till you drown..

Know that we all fall down.
Love till you hate,
Strong till you break,
Know that we all fall down.

The sound of a grumbling whine had Sphuul whipping his head around, curiosity, then amusement locking his features into a smile. Abby was the only one who was able to draw this from him. She was the only thing he had, the only reason there was to stay strong and be brave. Without her... He'd probably be dead. She was the one who had saved him when he had nothing to go to. She helped him, and as they grew, he helped her.

A soft chuckle rumbled from Sphuul's chest, as he watched his very near and dear Abby. Her eyes were squinted, giving him a look that was nothing but accusing. He gave her a small shrug, watching as she rolled and began to crawl towards him, a pitifully exhausted expression on her face. He chuckled again as she spoke, and rolled his eyes softly. Leaning his head down to give her a sharp poke on the ear with his nose, his maw opened. "We're being lazy today, aren't we?" The brute gave her a smirk as she curled herself around his body. There was no chance of moving now.

The sound of Abby's girlish giggle tugged at the corners of the brutes maw, and he watched her with affection. She acted like such a puppy sometimes. Age was not a meaningful factor when it came to Abigale. Even in their dire condition, she had always managed to crack a smile and tell jokes. Life would be dark and dull without her humor. Sphuul needed her more than she needed him. He bent his head down again, and watched her carefully.

Abby looked at him, giving him an uppity snort, before beginning to whine again. She nibbled his legs as she spoke, and the words that escaped from her lips sobered Sphuul quickly. "We're not running anymore, Abby. This place is safe. It's our home now." He gave a gruff chuckle, raising his paw to push her softly. "But we can't sleep all day. What would the neighbors think?"

[Dakki]

The femme heard Sphuul chuckle and sent a pointed look his way. He better not be laughing at her in her fragile state. She just woke up for goodness sake! They had been moving for so long, never staying in one place for very long. She was tired and she knew that he was too, even though he probably wouldn't show it. She rolled her eyes to herself, brutes and hiding their feelings. She was not one to hide... well anything. She liked to talk and she liked to be social. But the infection had turned so many wolves... so many. They hadn't run into anyone on their travels, not a single soul. They were all they had. It was her and Sphuul against the world.

As she curled around the brute she felt his cold nose press up on her ear. With a small flick of that ear she batted him back lightly. He asked her if she was being lazy today, and again she snorted. "Of course I'm being lazy. I'm damn tired. I could sleep forever!" she barked, when all of the sudden her stomach rumbled. Her head snapped around until she met Sphuul's eyes, a sheepish grin on her maw. "Maybe after a nice meal..." Her chocolate eyes clouded with thought as she pondered the fact of food. They had just arrived here last night, and she hadn't smelled much prey as they walked. How would they find a safe meal? Did this forest hide some hidden food source? She sure hoped so... They had not scoped out the land too much. Her stomach rumbled again and she glared at her belly. "Calm down stomach!" she growled back at it. Damn thing...

Her attention was brought once again to the brute standing above her. His eyes were gazing at him with affection, and right away her grinned widely at him. He was her life, and without him she would be nothing. they had clung on to each other from the moment they met, and it really had taken them far. Her tail thumped on the hard packed ground, loving the fact that Sphuul was smiling again. He had been so sober for their walking time, always thinking. Gale knew what it was about, but they didn't talk about the past. They only focused on what was ahead of them.

When the grin left Sphuul's face, she regretting her words. She would do anything to keep that smile on his face, but talk about moving had taken that away. When she heard that this place was their home, the tall wolf jumped to her feet, almost knocking the brute down. Her white tipped tail swung wildly as she covered his face with licks, whining happily. "Home? Oh Sphuul, how long has it been since we had a home?" she asked, stepping back in the small den to give him room. With bright eyes she peeked around his form and outside into the forest. His chuckle and light shove made her gaze flicker back to him, a gleeful laugh filling the den. "We should take advantage of the fact that we don't have any neighbors yet, and sleep all day," Just then her stomach rumbled yet again, reminding her of her hunger. "Err... maybe after a hunt," she barked, grinning at the male.

[Sphuul]

Lost till you're found,
Swim till you drown..

Know that we all fall down.
Love till you hate,
Strong till you break,
Know that we all fall down.

Abby's excitement was apparent when he spoke of having a home; she jumped up, knocking him sideways. He caught himself as she smothered him with her tongue, another raucous chuckle rumbling from his lips. Sphuul lightly shoved her away, almost losting control when she tried to peek behind him into the forest, happiness lighting up her face. His deep chuckle seemed to rise in his body, turning into a fit of sniggers.

Abby spoke again, suggesting that they should continue sleeping, and his sniggers continued, shaking his head softly. Her stomach began to growl, and he slowly managed to regain control of his breathing, huffing loudly once he had calmed himself down. Sphuul stood, shaking his fur lightly, then turned to his lifelong friend. "Well, sounds like a problem we can easily take care of, eh?" With a slight smirk, he turned to the den entrance, squeezing his long frame into the hole.

After what seemed a lifetime of crawling, he popped out of the other end, nearly falling on his face. The entrance ended quite suddenly on the other end, and he fell, not realizing there was no room to keep crawling. He stood with a slight groan, shaking the dirt and leaves off of his face before looking around, eyes wide and ears alert. They were no longer completely safe.

The grove of trees that made up the den area sheltered them pretty well, but it also had the ability of sheltering other animals. Infected. Bears. Anything. They had been too exhausted the night before to do any serious investigating, merely crawling into the den and collapsing. His muzzle twitched in the air, his body remaining still, as he surveyed the area with his baser senses. There was no scent of infected, no scent of anything dangerous. Their scent filled the area, making Sphuul think they were the first things to come to this grove in a long time. Oh, he hoped to god that was true.

He beckoned to Abby without glancing at her, so he didn't know if she was still in the entrance, waiting, or standing next to him. She had a habit of being silent when she moved, so Sphuul was never quite sure. He began to move, turning his head now and then to watch for any signs of attack. There were none. He slowly gained confidence, picking up into a trot, then freezing as he heard a rustle in the bushes. He automatically crouched, nostrils flaring as he attempted to get a scent of what was near them.

A head rose out of the gloom, and he would have sighed in relief if it wouldn't have brought them to attention. The head belonged to a small buck, his new antlers still covered in velvet. He was vulnerable. Sphuul turned his head to look at Abby, a questioning look on his face. They had been together so long, that the two could understand each other based merely on expressions. Should we take him?

[Dakki]

She loved the fact that Sphuul was starting to laugh more and more. Since they settled down here he really had been calming down, coming a bit more out of his shell. Of course around her he was like a different wolf, all smiles and chuckles. But around others... well he was quite different. He was so uptight! Abby had told him countless times to take it easy, but he was always very cautious. Well, as one should be in this world. No where seemed to be safe anymore, and they were all they had. So... she could kinda see his point. But still! He acted like he has a twig up his bum half the time. The femme snickered at her own joke, picturing the big brute walking around with a small part of a tree hanging out from his rump. Why those thoughts only added to her merry feeling! Then Gale noticed that the brute was trying to suppress snickers. She took a step back and tilted her head, chocolate brown eyes narrowing at him.

When his laughter continued she huffed, slightly offended. Was there something wrong? Why was he laughing at her? The rusty red wolf looked around at her coat, but not a hair was out of place. What on earth was he laughing at then? Did she look funny? Was there something on her face? Pulling up the skin around her nose she tried to look down, but ended up going cross eyed. Humf... nothing was easy, was it? Giving up, Abigale sat down on her rump and settled in, glancing at Sphuul as he calmed down. Silly males... Then he stood up, shook off and spoke. Giving him a smile she nodded her head, her pink tongue running across her lips as she thought of food. Nice, warm, juicy food! With another stomach growl, the wolf slid out behind her friend.

The den they picked was a nice one. There was a bit of a drop, but Abigale expected it. She dropped to the earth, barley making a sound as she did so. She always had been super quiet when she walked, and it proved to be quite useful when it came to scaring her companion. She smiled to herself as she thought of startling the poor brute, time and time again. Abigale watched her friend now, her chocolate eyes rolling as he stood there, frozen, testing the air and listening. They hadn't smelt a single infected around here, so she had no idea why he was being so... so... silly. Giving the air a quick sniff herself, she knew that they were fine.

Her gaze wandered around the grove, it looked so untouched. That was a good thing, and yet... Abigale had hoped to run into some other wolves. Not that she didn't love Sphuul, because she did. He was her only family and her closest friend. But she wanted to know that they weren't the only two left in this big, wide world. They had not seen an uninfected soul for so long. Probably since their own parents had turned. That was something that her didn't let her mind linger on. The past was the past, and right now she was hungry. She saw Sphuul summon her, letting her know it was safe. She rolled her eyes again, of course it was safe. No one was here. hopefully some prey though... because if she didn't get food soon, then... She would jump on Sphuul! Maybe just a nibble of his ear, a taste of his flank. Gale shook her head, laughing silently at herself. She would never harm him, not even if her life depended on it. So she sunk down, folding her long legs so she was closer to the earth. With her black ears straining forward she followed the brute, sticking to his right flank.

Abigale froze when she saw movement, and felt Sphuul do the same beside her. Her eyes locked onto the buck, her mouth watering at how close they were. She felt his eyes on her, and turned her head slowly to read his face. She didn't need words, she knew what he was asking. With a small flick of her ear she gave him her answer, pointing her nose to the back of the buck. She would move in behind. She then looked at Sphuul, then pointed her nose towards the bucks side. With more strength than her, he would be able to get a better grip on his flank than she could. Abigale could jump, and high. With a small nod of her head, Gale slunk even closer to the ground and moved her her position behind their breakfast.

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