Pig the Red Riding Hood and Wolf The Hunter (6)(PigxWolf)
Fifteen years later, Samantha was the caretaker of an orphanage. When the support money stopped coming, she ran out of cash and the children were starving. She met Joshua again, who was now a full-time hunter. After she owed him money for food many times and it became a problem, Joshua offered her a deal: her "body" in exchange for "food" to feed the children.
The Mountain Forest
Tonight was a waxing moon, and the nearly full moon cast a silvery light down onto the dense treetops of the forest, where the five hunters were resting. The campfire in the middle of their circle crackled; the flames flickered, and sparks flew out occasionally whenever someone moved the firewood. The sound of talking mixed with occasional laughter broke the dead silence of the night forest.
Joshua leaned his back against a log, stretching his legs toward the fire. The firelight reflected off his brown fur, making it shine with a golden hue. He was the most experienced hunter in the group, and also the oldest... Even though he looked relaxed while listening to the other hunters talking, he was simultaneously listening to the sounds of the forest, staying alert for any signs of danger.
To the left of the brown wolf was a wildcat with earthy-brown fur and black spots named Ginger. Even though he was the smallest in the group, he talked the most. The young guy was enthusiastically telling stories from home. He spoke with pride when mentioning his pregnant wife and his playful litter of kids.
"My wife is going to give birth next month! Damn it, those other three kids are also incredibly naughty," the wildcat rambled as if complaining, but everyone in the group could tell he was happy. The other hunters smiled and congratulated the father-to-be.
Next to the wildcat, a gray wolf was lounging. He was Mav, Joshua's younger cousin.
"You're getting way ahead of yourself, Ginger," Mav teased. He held a piece of grass in his mouth and gave a playful smirk. "Are you going to have to hunt three times as much to feed all those kids?"
Ginger turned to Mav, smiling and showing his feline fangs. "And what about you? When are you going to get married... I heard you've been in and out of several wolf girls' houses."
Mav waved his hand dismissively. "I'm in no rush; there's still so much to explore in this world." He then continued half-jokingly, "Look at Joshua, he doesn't even have a girlfriend... and he's not stressing over it."
Being brought into the conversation, the brown wolf let out a casual laugh, but his heart started beating faster.
Roger, a black panther hunter, was usually the quietest in the group, but he talked more tonight because of the honey mead. He was Joshua's former roommate.
"Hey, do you really not have anyone, Joshua? Years ago, I saw you going out with girls. Why has it been so quiet lately?" He paused with a thoughtful look. "Or do you actually have someone hidden away?"
Joshua turned his face away, trying to hide from the firelight so his fellow hunters wouldn't see that his face was turning red and... he was smiling…
Zippy, a jaguar, was a hunter with sharp senses and skilled with traps. He didn't let this opportunity pass. "Maybe Joshua really does have someone. I've noticed he's been closing his shop unusually early lately." Zippy turned and raised an eyebrow at the wolf. "Where are you rushing off to, Joshua?"
"I saw a sow hanging around your stall? Anything you want to tell us?" Mav quickly added.
Then, all eyes turned to stare at Joshua, like a jury looking at a defendant.
A confession might get a reduced sentence. But Joshua would never confess under any circumstances.
The wolf calmly took a sip of his honey mead, ignoring the curious eyes directed at him from all around.
Roger, the black panther, was the first to break the silence. He slowly shook his head. "It's impossible. Pigs don't mix with other species. Everyone knows how strict their traditions are."
Silence fell once more, but it wasn't the same. There was no longer an intense pressure forcing Joshua to reveal who the "sow" hanging around his stall was.
The hunters changed the subject. Led by Ginger... he started complaining about his usual tavern.
Joshua rested his head against the log. It would be several more days before the hunting team went down the mountain and brought their catches home.
The wolf let his thoughts drift. He pictured Samantha's face.
...This is so crazy, he was thinking about her again…
Joshua took out some tobacco and lit it, hoping its smell would mask the scent of Samantha in his memory.