The Hidden Path

[smile, WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?!]

Princess, a tamed fox who lives with her boy, Henry, is living a happy, wonderful life. But then something happens. Her family leaves their home; but without Princess. She must go on a treacherous journey filled with pain, wonder, and friendship. But when she finds where her boy could have gone and finds a much bigger city than where she was before, she's disheartened. How can she find him in such a vast place?

As she continued her search, discouraged but still determined, a sly city-fox finds her and is of no help at first. Now, more discouraged than ever, she almost turns around and gives up. Suddenly, a country-fox shows up and is determined to help her. They search the city and Princess knew she could do it with the help of this kind fox. The only question is . . . were her senses correct? Was her boy even in this vast place?

[smile, WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?!]

CHAPTER 1


Princess prowled through the bushes, her brush twitching. Her whiskers trembled in excitement. The mouse was paw-steps away. I'll get you if you just stay there! She thought, her body quivering harder. When the mouse's scent grew tantalizingly stronger, she leaped. Princess's fore-paws landed on top of the mouse, but she couldn't move.

Her brush was trapped in the bush. "Skulks be ill-fated!" Princess cursed. The mouse scurried away, terrified. Princess turned to the terrible bush. "Thanks!" She whined to the bush. She tried to pull her tail and her fur ripped, causing her to shriek. Princess stood up, her tail still refusing to leave the bush's grip.

"Henry!" She gekkered nervously. Is another fox going to find me and kill me before I get out of this? She thought, watching the sun set slowly. The distant howl of a wolf made her jump, which only hurt her tail even worse. She shrieked again. Fear coursed through her veins.

A hawk’s call echoed trough the trees. Princess looked up, terrified. There it was, circling far above. She yanked on her tail, trying to dislodge it from the evil bush’s grasp. She whimpered in pain as the thorny branches clung to her brush, not letting go.

The sun sank lower, dipping into the far off mountains. The forest around her grew darker . . . and more dangerous. The night predators would be emerging soon to hunt in the light of the full moon.

Princess gekkered for Henry yet again. No reply. Something stirred in the bushes behind the house and Princess slunk closer to the bush. Her tail was still aching and bleeding terribly, and still wrapped in thorns from the bush. She tried to pull again. More agonizing pain came with that, so she stopped and began to whine for help. When she stopped, trying to catch her breath, something lurking in the shadows caught her attention.

"Go away!" Princess growled, curling her muzzle to look fierce. The shadow started prowling towards her and she whimpered ever so slightly, but not loud enough to be heard. When the shape entered the dim light, she saw it was a dog fox.

"What are you doing here?" He asked threateningly. His tail whipped this way and that, and his fangs were gleaming. Princess glared at him, unflinching.

"I am trapped in this bush, and I can't get out. Could you help me so I get off of your territory?" Princess asked hopefully, although doubting the fox would let her off so easily.

"Why would I do that?" His menacing voice seemed to call other foxes, because three more foxes rushed from behind a nearby building, straight for Princess. She flinched away.

"Yeah, why would he do that when you're great for bait?" One of the newcomers said, laughing like a hyena. "Get it? Great for bait? It rhymes, and—" The fox was cut off by the leader, who whipped a paw at the fox's head. The fox tumbled over and the leader curled his muzzle.

"Shut up, you fool!" He snarled. His attention was then back on Princess. "We'll use you for bait. After you're dead, scavenging rats will come for you, and winner, winner, ratty dinner for us." He said, a smirk lighting up his features. Princess growled at him and, because he was close enough for her to reach his paw, she ducked down and bit his paw as hard as she could. Warm blood seeped into her mouth, and she spat at the dog fox in disgust.

"You're evil!" She said. The fox was roaring in pain. He raised his good paw for the final blow. Princess waited for darkness to overwhelm her as the fox got ready to kill her.