3rd Person

The closer Paisley drew to her siblings, still carried on the back of her mysterious rescuer, the clearer their confused expressions became. “What is that?” Riley asked curiously, c*****g her head as she studied the creature supporting her sister.

“I dunno, I was drowning an’ I thought it was gonna eat me, but then it saved me instead.” Paisley explained weakly.

“We’re so sorry, Paisley.” Parker frowned. “We never should have made you swim. Are you okay?”

“I’m really tired” Paisley admitted, “drowning is hard.”

The other pups murmured sympathetically, then reached out their hands to help their sister onto the rocks. However, when Paisley extended her own arms to them, the creature transporting her swam back out of reach. It was managing to fight the current somehow, keeping them in place while Paisley conferred with her siblings. “l think it wants you to climb on too.” She guessed, unsure of what else its strange behavior could mean.

“How can you tell?” Ryder wondered aloud.

“1 dunno, but I think it wants to help. Paisley shrugged. “Is a nice monster.”

The other pups exchanged wary glances, but intrepid Riley was the first to take the leap. Setting her jaw, she slid off the rocks and into the water, paddling over to Paisley and her rescuer, then climbing onto its back beside her. Parker was next, bracing himself for the return to the icy waters before diving in, and latching onto the unknown animal when he realized how warm it was.

Ryder reluctantly fell into line, and the next thing they knew, they were gliding along the swift river, moving faster than even the current.

They couldn’t be sure how long they traveled, how far they went or even where they were headed, but eventually their living raft veered towards the shoreline, and swam far enough into the shallows for the pups to disembark from its back.

Wading along the rocky shore, the quadruplets were finally able to get a good look at their savior. It raised its head above the surface, staring up at them with such a benevolent expression, they couldn’t help but reach out and pet its head. It had huge, expressive eyes, and a very round snout -almost like a cow’s. “What is it?” Parker whispered.

“I dunno, but is definitely a friend.” Paisley answered.

“Thank you for helping us.” Riley told the animal.

asked, “just

about fluffy?” Riley suggested with a

at her

why it’s funny.” Riley rolled her fluffy” Parker

smiled, “Fluffy

not familiar. In fact, it was unlike any forest they’d ever seen. Back in the Nightfang territory there were tons of mountains

with roots as tall as they were. All manner of strange critters rustled through

really, really lost.” Ryder announced, to no

clue how to find their way home, let alone make it through the night in a

Mommy and Daddy” Riley admitted in a small

Parker agreed with a sniffle.

anything the pups had experienced back home. Seeking shelter in a hollow tree, they snuggled close

didn’t really know how to do it, but she remembered how much better she felt after Jane sang to her in the hospital. She had to guess that her mother had sung the same song to her siblings in their times of need as well. So as their shivers of cold and fear gradually lessened, she opened her mouth and began to sing, unknowingly repeating the same lullaby Jane had serenaded her babies with

you thinking

of his nights tossing and turning rather than actually resting. It was some relief to Ethan that

boys have really bad motion sickness.” She whispered, “Parker once got sick just sitting in a

a seat next to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, relieved when she accepted the comfort rather than pushing him away. “They get that from you, if I recall.” He murmured, remembering the one and only time he’d taken her sailing. It was just one more reason not to take her on

there to take care of them when they’re sick..” She trailed off, clenching her eyes shut and shaking her head.

doesn’t get seasick.” Ethan assured

what I mean, Ethan.” Jane

really rather them be scared and alone, than

be scared” Ethan remarked simply. “And this might make me sound beyond selfish, but I can’t help thinking that if we don’t succeed.. if we can’t get them back, you’re all l

us, Ethan.” Jane insisted. “It’s about them. They come first,

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