~How could things possibly be worse?

[Aspen]

Avalon slunk quickly through a hole in the back wall of the small abandoned shack that she called home. She crept through the back alley, listening intently to the sounds comnig from the main street. She froze as she scented someone else nearby. She darted into a nearby mess of undergrowth and hunkered down, praying she wouldn't be spotted. A giant German Shepherd sprang out of the bushes, dragging a skinny mutt by it's scruff. The mutt was struggling, pleading to be released. Avalon winced as the Shepherd slammed the mutt to the ground. She strained to hear the conversation, but was only able to here a few words here and there. She could guess what it was about though. Agro's guards were coming to 'cleanse the villiage', just as had been promised by Agro himself. Supporters of Apollo and Aspen were to be 'dealt with accordingly'. Avalon squeezed her eyes shut as the Shepherd lunged forward and ripped out the mutt's throat. It's chest heaved as it looked down at it's kill and then padded away as if nothing had happened. Avalon shuddered. Things were worse than she could've ever imagined.

[Aspen]

_{Feeling very alone for the first time in her life, Avalon lifted herself to her feet and trotted silently over to the limp body of the other dog. Her stomach twisted as questions rapidly flew through her mind. Is he someone I know...knew? What if I recognize him? Why didn't he run away? By the time she reached the mutt, she was so afraid of recognizing him that she almost turned around. She forced herself to look and breathed a sigh of relief. This made her feel terribly but she could not help it. She had never seen him before. She dipped her head in respect for the dead and began making her way for the cliffs, leaving the cries of sorrow and pain behind her. She would return, yes, but not until the guards had left the village.}

[ashpaw]

Thistle walked quitely through the villiage. As she walked through it hoping no one would scent her. There were guards everywhere. She crept silently through the shadows, stalking a scrawny rabbit. She knew her Annabelle would be hungry when she awoke.

Thistle padded back the abandoned house where she lived, and saw her beautiful pup still sleeping. She had caught only the rabbit. Not much, but it would do for now.

As Annabelle woke up, she smelled the nice, warm, yummy smell of a rabbit. She jumped up. She sprinted over to where the smell was coming from. She began to hungrily gobble up the rabbit. Her mother watched Annabelle eat. After she had finished her dinner, she ran to her corner. Her mother had recently found her a nice bone to chew on. She knew it wasn't much but it was better than nothing.

Thistle told Annabelle to stay in side while she went to scout the village once more. Annabelle wanted to come and so Thistle allowed her to come, so long as she stayed silent. As they padded along the villiage Thistle kept trying to sneek a peek to see if there was any way out. She knew there must be an unguarded place somewhere. All Thistle wanted was to raise her pup in a safe place. She had tried hiding what was going on, but Annabelle had all but figured it out.

[Blizzard]

Blizzard looked around the corner. No one, good. The area was clear. She hated having the feeling that she had to stay hidden or die. It just wasn't right. She wanted to be free. She missed waking up as the sun was rising to go on her morning run. She loved adventure, and staying hidden didn't count. A free-spirit like her needed to be able to roam the streets freely and do as she pleased when she pleased. She started padding foward, slowly. After a few minutes of walking, she heard a noise behind her and started running. She couldn't be caught now. If a dark alligence ever found her, she'd claim that she was dark. As she was running, Blizzard turned the corner and ran into a dog. She looked up. The dog had a puppy with her. "I am so sorry!" Blizzard started to apologize, but then remembered, not everyone was friendly anymore. "Wait. What's your alligence?"

[ashpaw]

Thistle took a step back as the young dog approached them. She pushed Annabelle behind her. Thistle had a guess this dog was light, but she wasn't sure. But she had to take the chance. "We are light. What is your alligence?" Thistle was ready to run. She nodded her head to Annabelle who had no idea what was going on.

Annabelle looked up at the dog. Then saw her mom had pushed her behind her. Annabelle knew if the dog said dark she had to run for her life. Annabelle waited patiently. The dog looked like it was scared to death and just as hungry.

[Blizzard]

Blizzard grinned an evil grin. She thought she'd play a trick on these dogs, something she hadn't been able to do in a while. She had to execute it just right, just enough so she'd be able to get a laugh, something she longed to do. "Light? Supporters of Aspen? Well, I'm a supporter of King Agro, and I plan to kill anyone who feels differently. So, which one first?" Blizzard asked, waiting to see the look of fear on there faces. "Oh, and don't bother running, because this whole area is surrounded," she added. If they were brave, they'd stay and face her, if they weren't, they wouldn't be useful for her plan.

[ashpaw]

Thistle looked at the dog with a violent stare. She had learned had to fight and she was pretty good. "So your support of that awful king." She said with a mean smile. She was ready to fight if she must. She would do anything to protect Annabelle, she had let her mate and other pup die because of Agro, and she wasn't about to let Annabelle. You could see the hate in her eyes. Her smile turned into a snarl as she went back to her memory.

Annabelle looked at her mom and saw how really danger this dog was. Her mom would protect her she hoped. Thistle looked like she was about to attack and kill the dog. Annabelle's eyes where wide with fear. She knew what they were doing was right. But she never knew it would risk there lives. She snuck behind her mom so the dog couldn't see her but she could see the dog. She curled up in a little ball. Annabelle whimpered.

[Blizzard]

Blizzard let out a small grin. They would be useful. They would help her. They weren't cowards, and they weren't afraid to fight. "Wrong. I'm in support of the rightful heir to the throne. You and I are on the same side her. I have a plan that I think might interest you," Blizzard spoke quietly. "But if you're interested, now is not the time or place. Meet me around the corner, at sunset." Blizzard hoped they would help her. She was running out of time. She needed to escape, soon. She couldn't continue living in fear, or in the dark.

[ashpaw]

Thistle loosed up. "We migth be intersted. We will meet you there. By the way, my name is Thistle, and this is my pup Annabelle." Thistle knew this dog was in a hurry to escape. Mabey thats what this dog is planning to do, and mabey she can also help us escape.

Annabelle looked around getting tired she hadn't been feeling so great, and hyper since Agro became king. Annabelle knew she had to say something nice. "Hello it is very nice to meet you!" as she said that she smiled. She waited for the dogy to reply.

[Blizzard]

Blizzard smiled. "It's very nice to meet you, too Annebelle!" Blizzard turned her attention back to Thistle. "Be there on time because I won't be waiting around. The longer I wait, the more danger I'm in. I can promise the safety of your puppy, for tonight at least," Blizzard whispered. She was finally getting an adventure, and she felt her heart beat speed up at the very thought. She was eager to excape. She thought she might go join the forming rebels, but wasn't sure if she'd have the guts. It would be the ultimate adventure, and that was something she couldn't deny. But was she willing to risk her life? Blizzard turned to leave. "By the way, I'm Blizzard," she spoke softly, before running away.

[ashpaw]

Thistle waited with Annabelle at the spot where Blizzard said to meet them. She looked around hoping to see her. Thistle sat down, but always ready to jump up and run. She knew the guards are questioning and who knows where they are.

Annabelle looked up at her mom who stood beside her. Her mother had told her to sleep a lot during the day. She sighed and waited for Blizzard. As Thistle sat down, she knew it was ok. Annabelle collapsed down next to her. Annabelle looked around, she hoped Blizzard would get here on time. They where early. Her mother said it was better to be early then late. But Annabelle hated that saying because then when they go there early they always had nothing to do.

[Blizzard]

Blizzard emerged from the shadows. "You're here," she spoke, suprised. "Well, I'm going to go ahead and tell you my plan. There's no sense in waiting any longer." Blizzard sat down and began explaining. "Ever since I was young, I always loved adventure. I could never resist one. I love being free. I loved running. But ever since Agro took over, I haven't been able to do anything I loved. I just want to escape this place, and I'd need your help. I have a plan, sort of, but I can't do it on my own. I don't know exactly where we'd go, but that's part of the fun, not knowing. I'd just need you to trust me. Are you in?" Blizzard asked. She knew it was a lot to ask of someone, but she already knew that Thistle was no coward, but she didn't ever want to put Annabelle in danger.

[ashpaw]

Thistle looked at Blizzard as she told them her plan. "I actually was looking for a way out. Annabelle and I are in." Thistle said with a smile. But one thing made her worried, it was putting Annabelle in this plan. She might be in danger. NO! Annabelle will be safe with two dogs to protect her.

Annabelle jumped up, in a quite voice still she said "Oh boy! An adventure! We will have lots of fun!" Annabelle looked at Blizzard. Her eyes shone with exciment. Annabelle wondered when this plan would get started she hoped soon. "Ummmm when can the plan get started?" Annabelled said.

[Blizzard]

Blizzard smiled. "Good, I thought you might be interested. Meet me here tomorrow, same time," she spoke as she was walking off. She stopped, and looked back over her shoulder. "Oh, and Thistle, don't back out now. If you're having second thoughts, make you mind up quickly. I'll need you to be completly focused, if we wish to escape. I will do my best to protect you and Annabelle, but no promises. And don't tell anyone else. We don't want anyone to know." Blizzard started walking again, thinking she had covered everything. She stopped suddenly. "Thistle, one more thing. Don't be late. If you're late, you're outta luck. I won't be waiting around for long." With that, Blizzard turned the corner and ran off.

[ashpaw]

Thistle ran beside Annabelle quite as possible she would stop often for Annabelle. She looked around a lot to make sure no dog was near. Then continued to the place. Thistle sat down when they got there. She was a little early and knew that Blizzard would be here any minute. Thistle sat down.

Annabelle got tired quick, she had shorter legs then her mother of course. She was so glad that they could rest at points. Annabelle ran as quite as possible. Annabelle layed down next to her mom. She was tired from running and wondering when Blizzard would be here.