The Caverns

Annora was alone, all alone. She had traveled to this territory knowing that there was shelter at the top. The idea of being out here by herself was invigorating to her. But, there was also a twinge of something else; something that she could not figure out yet. Annora decided to climb up the mountain, braving whatever elements were thrown her way.

Annora stumbled once, instantly losing her footing on the icy surface. Her paws slipped out from underneath her, and her legs splayed out in every direction. The female’s chin hit the ground solidly, causing her to bite her tongue, and small tears to spring up in her eyes. An immediate low growl of self-rebuke involuntarily surfaced. She was usually so nimble and surefooted, but Jack Frost often contested this notion.

Summoning whatever dignity she had left, Annora clambered to her paws. The iron-like taste of blood ravaged her taste buds, causing the female to want to spit, though she did not. Those golden eyes of hers glanced about the territory. What was she doing here? What in the world had made her travel up this harsh terrain of all places?

Well, the prospect of shelter and potential solace definitely were pluses in Annora’s book. She had closely searched the place, and found nothing to deter her at this point. She just had to make it up this hill. The she-wolf rolled her shoulders in their sockets, and planted her paws as firmly as possible. She said a silent prayer to herself, and restarted her ascent.

 
Annora had made it up in her mind that she was going to push on, and so that is exactly what she did. After what seemed like a relentless journey to the top, finally the she-wolf found herself at the mouth of one of the caverns. Examining things further, there were two options that she could take. A) Annora could head into this cave she stood in front of or B) she could go to one slightly to left. Both had their own appeals.

Cavern A looked deeper, which offered better shelter, but potentially more visitors. Cavern B lacked depth, but more solitude. Annora paused for a moment to listen. To feel. Her eyes closed briefly as the wind teased her onyx black coat. Which would she choose?

Stepping forward, the female went into the first cavern that she saw when she had first arrived. The likelihood of someone making the trek up here was slim to none. And if they did, they were likely crazy. If they were crazy, she had a better chance to fend them off. Score one for her.

The thought of that made Annora question her own sanity though too. Of all places that she could have chosen, it had to be the one with the most hazardous trip. Literally. Shaking her head lightly to herself, the she-wolf padded into her cave of choice. A sigh of relief echoed throughout the place as Annora lay down. She curled up into a tight ball, and put her tail over her nose.

She did it.

KISSED BY A ROSE