# Always Me - Chapter 4

Author: Otter Miqmah
Tags: Adventure, Fox, Lion, Mild Drama, Story Series

 **Chapter 4**

**Unforeseen Circumstances**

I spent two weeks at that circus.&nbsp; I had been stolen from my home, and introduced to a new one, but, as the old toad had warned me, nothing was going to stay normal anymore.

&nbsp;

The witch appeared in my dreams again and warned me that something was going to happen very soon, and that when it did, I would have to run to the tallest mountain on the horizon, and not look back.&nbsp; I was not allowed to mention what she told me, and the secret was my burden for three long days.

&nbsp;

Her message left me in fear and Ludme, who was began learning a few small broken English fraises from the teal bird, had noticed and asked me about it.&nbsp; I just shook my head each time he brought it up and he eventually stopped asking.

&nbsp;

No one had seen the old toad in days, and she was refusing to take guests.&nbsp; There was always bright purple smoke coming from the small crack in the door, but otherwise there was no sign of life in the secluded boxcar.

&nbsp;

An undertone of concern had nestled amongst the furs of the circus, and the unease grew stronger with each passing day.&nbsp; No one knew what was going to happen, and we were all a little edgy.&nbsp; Even the air seemed tense as the nice dessert breeze stopped.&nbsp; It was only a matter of time.

&nbsp;

It all started one afternoon.&nbsp; After a performance, we all walked out of the tent to see the sky getting unusual dark.&nbsp; There was a strong wind blowing against the tent, and the worried confusion amongst the group was evident.&nbsp; We stood there silently watching the dark clouds twirling in the desert sky.&nbsp; The cooling winds picked up and the first drops of rain started to fall.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

One fell on my nose as I looked down to shake it off.&nbsp; When I looked back up, I noticed that the old toad's car door was wide open, and the persistent smoke had stopped.&nbsp; I wasn't the only one who noticed, and everyone was whispering to each other.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There was a loud crack of thunder, and everyone jumped.&nbsp; The sky split and a white vein of energy rocked to the desert floor, and everyone rushed into the tent to hide.&nbsp; Inside, the toad was standing in the center looking back at everyone with an unmistakably serious and shaken look on her face.

&nbsp;

She spoke, and everyone gasped.&nbsp; I saw someone faint in the corner of my eye, and the air in the tent got thicker.&nbsp; She explained more and pointed outside of the tent, and paused.&nbsp; There was no sound other than the wind whipping the side of the tent, and the muffled thunder.&nbsp; She began speaking again and the performers started moving once they got their instruction.

&nbsp;

I watched as the crowd slowly thinned.&nbsp; With one more instruction, the last of them moved out with their job.&nbsp; I stood there in the middle of the room confused and scared, and the old toad walked up to me.

&nbsp;

"Herb, there is a war coming.&nbsp; Do you remember what I told you to do?" she said seriously, her orange eye staring into mine.

&nbsp;

I nodded.&nbsp; She patted me on the shoulder.

&nbsp;

"Keep the whistle safe, and yourself safer.&nbsp; Now go, child, I don't want to you the middle of this."

&nbsp;

I ran up and gave her a tight hug, tears forming in my eyes.&nbsp; She hugged back and pulled away.&nbsp; I wiped my eyes and started off.

&nbsp;

I snuck under the back wall of the tent and gasped at how bad the storm had gotten.&nbsp; I could see the sheets of rain drenching the earth.&nbsp; The thunder cracked in the air and the wind threatened to rip the tent right off its foundation.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I peeked back under the tent, but no one was there to look at.&nbsp; I sighed and started on my way.

&nbsp;

The rain pounded my head and shoulders as I walked, and the dry dirt formed to a slippery mud from the flooding rain.&nbsp; As I got out far enough, I looked around for the tallest mountain.&nbsp; There were two off in the horizon in opposite directions, but I couldn't tell which one was taller.&nbsp; I stood there trying my best to figure it out, but both looked the same.&nbsp; Fear ran over my heart, not knowing what to do, and I began to panic.&nbsp; I ran back to the tent and tried to find the toad.&nbsp; There was still no one in the tent, so I walked across the ring, listening to the rain and wind pounding the tent fiercely.&nbsp; The door to the tent had blown shut, but I lifted it open.

&nbsp;

My eyes grew wide as I witnessed the entire circus lined up for a battle.&nbsp; The toad was wearing a large helmet with the red glass orb from the portrait on top and was standing on a large pillar of wood shouting instructions.&nbsp; People were holding sharpened sticks, other had rocks tied in slings.&nbsp; The once fun loving clowns were washed of their makeup and as serious as any other.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Someone yelled and pointed off to the distance and everyone followed.&nbsp; There was a large stripe of black coming between two large hills.&nbsp; The toad yelled something and everyone got into position with their weapons ready.&nbsp; The toad pulled out two of the sticks like the ones Ludme used and started chanting something in her load croaking voice.

&nbsp;

I watched as the black stripe grew larger as it moved closer.&nbsp; My heart stopped when I saw what it was.

&nbsp;

Spiders.

&nbsp;

There were thousands of them crawling as fast as they could towards the tent.&nbsp; I yelped and dropped the curtain.&nbsp; I wanted to run, but I had grown attached to these furs and didn't want to leave them.

&nbsp;

I knew that those spiders where there because of me, and because Ludme had killed the one to save me.&nbsp; My eyes welled up as I thought of what I had done.&nbsp; I wanted to sit down and cry, but I knew there was no time for that now.&nbsp; I sighed, lifted the tent again and looked at the faces of my new family.&nbsp; I saw Ludme standing amongst the ones holding the sharpened sticks.&nbsp; The rain water poured down his face and off his nose.&nbsp; His hands griped the stick tightly with his eyes intently watching the moving horizon.&nbsp; I knew what I had to do, and it was not what I would have chosen.&nbsp; I dropped the wall and ran.&nbsp; I ran across the dry tent floor and out the other side.&nbsp; I made it to the spot I had been before and sighed.

&nbsp;

I looked at the two mountains and my brain rushed to which one to pick.&nbsp; I closed my eyes, and I saw the toads face.&nbsp; She told me that I knew which way was right and I opened my eyes and ran.&nbsp; I ran, and I ran, and I ran.&nbsp; I ran until the mud caked to my shins.&nbsp; I ran until I could not hear the fighting.&nbsp; I didn't look back, but the images of the toad and Ludme fighting for their lives would not leave my head.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

My tears mixed with the rain and mud.&nbsp; I had no idea how far I had gone, and it seemed like the mountain never got closer.&nbsp; The mud was getting thicker by the minute, and I kept on getting stuck.&nbsp; But I pulled myself foreword because I knew I had to.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A grove of the scaled tree started coming nearer as I ran, but I was getting so tired.&nbsp; I made it my goal to make it to those trees before I could rest.&nbsp; The mud was so thick and deep that I didn't think there was any solid ground left in the world.&nbsp; I fell and covered my entire front with the heavy wetness.&nbsp; I clawed and struggled and cried until I was under one of the trees.&nbsp; I pulled myself closer and leaned against a trunk and looked back.&nbsp; There was nothing.&nbsp; I couldn't see a tent, or any war; nothing.&nbsp; It was behind me now, and there was nothing I could do.&nbsp; I sat under the tree letting the rain slowly wash me clean. I could feel my legs sink into the soft earth, but I didn't have the energy anymore to do anything.&nbsp; I stared off into the distance watching the storm swirl and the night take over.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I slipped unknowingly into sleep, and I hoped I would wake up again.

&nbsp;

As I opened my eyed, I looked around.&nbsp; The storm was gone, and the earth was cracked and dry again.&nbsp; The sun was high in the sky, and a gentle warm breeze jostled the few patches of free fur.&nbsp; I lifted my paw and cracked it out of the mud it was sitting in.&nbsp; I pulled the other one, and then tried to stand up.&nbsp; With a few heaves, I broke free and I wiped myself off, watching the chunks of mud fall and smash against the ground.&nbsp; I looked off in the distance hoping to see something to let me know what happened, but there was only dessert and sky with nothing in between.&nbsp; I stepped out of the oasis and looked at the mountain.&nbsp; It was still so far away, but it was much larger then it was by the tent.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I looked around inside the oasis for anything to bring with on my long journey.&nbsp; I saw that there were fruits in the trees that looked like burnt-orange avocados.&nbsp; I found a stick and started whacking at the fruit patch until a few fell down.&nbsp; I picked one up and smelled it.&nbsp; It smelt sweet so I started to peel it.&nbsp; The inside what white and creamy.&nbsp; I stuck finger in and pulled some out.

&nbsp;

I debated on wither it was poisonous or not and stuck it in my mouth.&nbsp; It didn't really taste like anything, but I decided to wait and see if it had any negative effects before eating more.&nbsp; I found a puddle between a few trees with water, and I took a long drink knowing it may be my last for a while.

&nbsp;

My stomach didn't feel funny, all my fingers were still moving, and I wasn't dead from what I could tell, so I stuck as many of the fruits in my pockets as I could manage.&nbsp; I spent a few last moments in the shade before starting out again.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The earth was sharp and dry beneath my toes.&nbsp; The sun beat down on my back as I moved towards the mountain.&nbsp; It was much easier at night to move, but I didn't have time to stop.

&nbsp;

My eyes rarely left the view of the mountain.&nbsp; It wasn't hard considering that it was the only thing to look at for miles.&nbsp; The sun reflected upward from the ground and I started to feel the heat deep inside of me.

&nbsp;

I went to open my mouth, and my lips separated like they were glued together, and my tongue peeled from the roof of my mouth.&nbsp; I looked around but didn't see any oases nearby, so I pulled out one of the fruits.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

My pockets must not have been a very good transport because the once orange skin was now bruised and covered in large brown splotches.&nbsp; Sighing, I peel of the top section and watched the off-white liquid poor down to the ground and splatter in a chunky star shape.

&nbsp;

I held up the fruit and looked inside, watching the creamy goop slosh around.&nbsp; I held it up to my nose and took a whiff, pulling it back quickly.&nbsp; It smelled like rotting feet.&nbsp; But, I needed something to quench my thirst, so I plugged my nose and downed the thick drink.

&nbsp;

I felt a little woozy as I chucked the empty shell as far away from me as I could.&nbsp; I coughed, and covered my nose as the smell erupted from my mouth.&nbsp; I debated about using dirt to clean out my mouth, but decided on just closing my mouth forever instead.

&nbsp;

The taste lingered on my tongue and I took a few moments to spit out the fowl saliva that kept forming as I walked.&nbsp; The woozy feeling started to get worse with the heat, and I needed to find some shade.&nbsp; I stumbled to my knees and looked around.&nbsp; There was a grove of the scaly trees a few hundred feet off in the distance, and I stood up and made another goal.

&nbsp;

The horizon started to warp slightly as I started to walk, and I felt my balance slowly leave me.&nbsp; I heard my stomach start to grumble and a sharp pain took over as I stumbled further.&nbsp; I knew that I had to get to the trees as soon as I could, so I started running.

&nbsp;

The ground felt like it was falling apart below me as I wobbled and tripped on my own feet.&nbsp; The activity only made my condition worse, I started to pant, and I could feel my stomach start to heave. I covered my mouth and ran quicker.&nbsp; The little grove of trees was getting closer and when I could start to make out the details of the leaves, I just sprinted, feeling the liquid going up my throat.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I felt my foot catch on a crack of mud and I fell.&nbsp; The earth spun beneath me, scraping my back as it did.&nbsp; I landed on my bottom and hurled the white liquid between my legs in front of the trees.&nbsp; My stomach churned and emptied itself as I cried out in pain.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

When it was done, I closed my eyes and collapsed backwards, feeling the world around me spin out on control.&nbsp; My claws dug into the dry earth as I waited for it to stop.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

I heard something move in the trees, but I was in no condition to look up since it was probably just some small animal.&nbsp; I heard the noise again and then something coming closer to me.&nbsp; I felt a tap on my foot and I scrambled up and away.

&nbsp;

Standing there was a scraggily looking figure looking at me.

&nbsp;

I paused as I tried to figure out what he wanted.&nbsp; He said something in a language that sounded a lot like hissing, and I backed away a little more.

&nbsp;

He tilted his head and said something else in another language that had a lot of whooping in it.&nbsp; I must have looked confused because we went through a few more strange languages, taking a step closer each time, with me scooting even farther back.

&nbsp;

Finally, he smirked and said "Are you alright?"

&nbsp;

I nodded, still trying to figure out what he was doing here.

&nbsp;

"You took quite a spill there," he said pointing with his thumb over to the white splotch of vomit.

&nbsp;

I nodded again.

&nbsp;

He took a step closer and held out a paw.&nbsp; I stared at it for a long time and then decided to trust him and took the offer.&nbsp; He hoisted me up and I wobbled in place as I regained my balance.

&nbsp;

"Did you eat one of those orange fruits from the trees?"

&nbsp;

I nodded again, and he started laughing.

&nbsp;

"I remember making that mistake.&nbsp; I'm Skippy."

&nbsp;

"I... I'm Herb."

&nbsp;

He smiled.&nbsp; There was something kind of off about him, but I couldn't tell what.&nbsp; I couldn't even tell what species he was.&nbsp; I blamed it on the fruit as he talked me into getting out of the sun and told me about his experience with it.

&nbsp;

I chuckled a little, but grabbed my stomach from the dull pain.&nbsp; He noticed and moved over to an old dilapidated bag where he dug around.&nbsp; He pulled out a piece of cloth and unfolded it.&nbsp; Inside was what looked like pieces of bark or jerky.&nbsp; He ripped off the corner of a piece and gave it to me.

&nbsp;

"Shlu bark.&nbsp; It'll settle your stomach a bit."

&nbsp;

I grabbed the mysterious food and stuck it in my mouth.&nbsp; It was salty and rough, so I began chewing it.

&nbsp;

Skippy chuckled as he watched me laboriously tackle the bark in my small jaw and leaned back against a tree.&nbsp; I quickly joined him while working at the soggy, stringy bark, and noticed that my stomach had started to calm.

&nbsp;

"So, what brings you around these parts of the woods?" Skippy said giving a grand gesture into the small patch of trees.

&nbsp;

"I'm on a jor..." I paused, not wanting to give too much information, "I need to get to the mountain."

&nbsp;

"The mountain, huh?" he said scratching his chin. "What's up there?"

&nbsp;

I didn't know, so I didn't answer.

&nbsp;

"Ahh," he said nodding and smiling.&nbsp; "I understand.&nbsp; It's a secret."&nbsp; He leaned back further into the tree and closed his eyes.&nbsp; "Don't worry, little buddy, your secret secret is safe with me."

&nbsp;

I laid back and started my much needed rest.&nbsp; I could feel my feet pulsing from the break, but I just didn't have the energy to care. I sat there silently for a long while.

&nbsp;

"Well, if you are dying to know," he started with no cue, "I'm a drifter of the dessert. &nbsp;And the forest.&nbsp; And the ocean.&nbsp; And wherever my feet will take me.&nbsp; I've been all over this pathetic marble of a planet, and I've never found a place worthy of calling my home.&nbsp; But, I'm still searching, not that I would settle down if I found it.&nbsp; This life is just too fun to stop!"

&nbsp;

I opened one of my eyes and peaked at him.&nbsp; He was still sitting there with a big grin on his face.

&nbsp;

"You don't talk much, do you?" he said.

&nbsp;

I shrugged.

&nbsp;

"Pfft.&nbsp; You're the first living thing I've seen in months that I haven't regarded as food, and you won't even give me a decent conversation," he said crossing his arms in mock frustration.

&nbsp;

"I'm eight, what do you want?"

&nbsp;

"Well, where are you from?"

&nbsp;

"My home."

&nbsp;

"Well, where is that?"

&nbsp;

"I don't know."&nbsp; I looked down to my lap.&nbsp; "This is the first time I've been away."

&nbsp;

"First time?!" he said sitting up.&nbsp; "What on earth are you doing in the middle of the dessert on your own?"

&nbsp;

"I... I don't know..." I started to tear up as all the frustration bubbled to the surface.

&nbsp;

"Whoa, whoa, calm down. &nbsp;I didn't mean to make you cry."

&nbsp;

His words didn't help, and the tears continued to flow.&nbsp; The uncontrollable feeing of hopelessness started to take me over.&nbsp; I was tired.&nbsp; I hurt inside and out.&nbsp; I had no idea what or where I was going.&nbsp; And I just wanted to be back home.&nbsp; I pulled up my knees and hugged them, burring my face and feeling my mud crusted pants dampen from my tears.

&nbsp;

I felt a hand pat me on the back and I heard the drifter try to comfort me some more, but I was so far out of my league there was nothing he could do to help me.&nbsp; I started trying to tell him about everything, but the tears stole my voice and scrambled it into inaudible whines muffled through my legs.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

"Now look here.&nbsp; If you don't stop crying, you are going to dry up like a raisin.&nbsp; Think I'm lying?&nbsp; I've seen it happen before."&nbsp; He made a loud silly sucking noise like a raising drying up quickly, and I giggled past my tears.&nbsp; "That's right, you'll just shrivel up and be no more, so you'd best stop crying, don't you think?"

&nbsp;

I looked up at him and his warm face held a wide smile.&nbsp; I smiled back and started wiping away the tears and looking down at my muddy paws.

&nbsp;

"Welcome to the dessert, kid.&nbsp; You're going to get that stuff in places you didn't even know you had.&nbsp; It's why I got rid of my mane."

&nbsp;

I suddenly recognized him as a male lion.&nbsp; His mane had been cut down haphazardly, like he had down it himself.&nbsp; But I didn't see a tail.&nbsp; I decided it would be rude to ask, so I stayed quiet.

&nbsp;

"How long have you been here?"

&nbsp;

He put his fist to his chin and looked up in thought.

&nbsp;

"Don't know." He smiled.&nbsp; "I don't keep time or calendars; I just go by what the earth tells me.&nbsp; But if I had to guess, I'd say a few years at least."

&nbsp;

"Wow," I said, knowing that I had only been alive for just slightly over a few years.

&nbsp;

"Ahh, it's not that bad.&nbsp; Once you learn where the food and water is, life here is pretty good.&nbsp; Well, the company is a little scarce, but you being here right now means it's not totally lonely."

&nbsp;

"Why do you stay here?"

&nbsp;

"Well, it's something you'll understand more as you get older, but some folks, like me, just can't stay in one place.&nbsp; There is like this great big call to us to go and see the world.&nbsp; And in my case, that big call has been calling me everywhere."

&nbsp;

I nodded, not really understanding why anyone would give up a warm safe bed for a tree in the middle of the dessert.

&nbsp;

"Something tells me that you have a similar call."&nbsp; He looked me over.&nbsp; "But I don't think you realize what it is or why you have it."

&nbsp;

The memory of the words of the toad entered my head.

&nbsp;

"And you wanna know something?" he smirked.

&nbsp;

I looked up at him and nodded.

&nbsp;

"I think I can hear my call, and it's somewhere past that mountain."&nbsp; He pointed off to the great red mound still seeming impossibly far away.&nbsp; "Kid, I'm coming with you."

&nbsp;

I felt my cheeks lift up in a great big smile.&nbsp; That was the best news I had heard in a long while.

&nbsp;

The lion looked off towards the mountain for a while, thinking to himself and I followed.&nbsp; He turned to me and I looked at him.

&nbsp;

"We leave tonight!&nbsp; There is a lot we need to prepare, so let's get it all done before sun down!"

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