Rogue Angel - Footprints Part 21

One, two, three!

Annja jumped up and crashed through the ma.s.s of pine branches and boughs that they had just thatched together a few minutes before. There was a ripping sound as the branches tore away from the top of the structure. Annja's arms went through first, followed by the rest of her upper torso.

As she went through the roof, Annja closed her eyes and saw the sword in front of her in her mind's eye.

She reached for it and felt the hilt settle into her hands.

Annja opened her eyes.

The outside of the shelter was a horrible mess. She hadn't realized how much work Joey had put into making it. Branches and boughs lay scattered at the base of the shelter.

And there in front of her lay the creature.

Cheehawk.

"No!"

Annja let her arms come down and released the sword. It disappeared in an instant. "Oh, my G.o.d, no."

Joey poked his head out. "What's the matter?"

"It's Cheehawk."

Joey crashed through the remainder of the shelter not seeming to care about keeping it intact any longer. Annja could see the sorrow in his eyes the moment he saw the wolf.

Cheehawk's entire left side looked as though it had almost been torn wide open. b.l.o.o.d.y chunks of flesh clung to his fur and Annja could even see bits of white bone protruding through his flesh at odd angles.

No wonder the sound had been so horrifying. Cheehawk was in absolute agony and had been dragging himself through the woods looking for Joey.

Joey pressed his face into Cheehawk's neck and stroked the wolf. "Who did this to you?"

Cheehawk's whine reduced to a whimper as he struggled to lay flat on the ground to rest. Behind them, Jenny came out of the shelter and cried out in shock when she saw the damage to the wolf.

"Who would do such a thing?"

Annja frowned. There were three people she thought might be likely candidates for such brutality.

Joey looked at Annja. "It was them. They did this to him."

Annja didn't say anything. Her heart felt heavy, watching the extreme agony that Cheehawk must have endured on his journey. He was such a beautiful animal and the reality of the situation hit her hard. Cheehawk would not survive his wounds.

As soon as she thought it, the wolf lifted its head and stared at her. Annja felt like his eyes were peering into her soul.

She shook her head. "No."

Joey looked at her. After a moment he seemed to understand. "Annja."

Annja kept shaking her head. "I won't do it."

"You must."

"No."

"He's asking you to. Would you deny him the right to be free of his pain and suffering?"

"Of course not, but-"

Joey frowned. "There's no but. Those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds didn't show him any mercy. They just did this and then left him to suffer. The cruelty and indignity of it is horrible."

Annja felt her throat go dry. "I don't know if I can."

Joey nodded. "You have to. He has asked."

Annja walked behind the shelter and summoned the sword. She stared at it for a long moment and knew it was the right thing to do.

Jenny gasped when she saw the sword Annja held. "Where the h.e.l.l did that come from?"

"Long story," Annja said. And then, as if she was in a dream, she felt herself walking toward Cheehawk. She knelt next to him and stroked his fur.

The wolf looked at her. Annja could see the plaintive look and knew it would have to be done. She glanced at Joey.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Is he sure?"

"Search your heart, Annja. You know it's the right thing to do."

Annja took a calming breath. "I know." She stood and gripped the sword.

Joey whispered something into Cheehawk's ear and then nuzzled him one last time. The wolf lay its head on the ground as if it knew just how to position itself.

Joey stepped back.

"Annja," Jenny said, "what in the world are you going to do to that poor wounded animal?"

Annja shook her head. "Not now, Jenny. Not now."

Annja raised the sword over her head. She closed her eyes. Forgive me for this. And may it release you from your suffering.

She cut down.

Chapter 12.

Joey managed to find a branch suitable for sc.r.a.ping a hole out of the muddy earth and got to work making a burial plot large enough for Cheehawk's body. When he'd finished digging it out, he laid a bed of fresh pine boughs, and then with Annja's help they carefully laid the mighty wolf in the ground.