Page 4 of The Rabbit's Foot
“Nothing can ever be fucking easy,” he bitched. He got on the bike, then headed back to the cave. Crawling along on a machine that he’d easily pushed over 125? Talk about making it feel like a minivan.
By the time he got back to the cave, Mal was soaked, as was his cargo. He carried the bags inside, making two trips to keep them from ripping, and found his friend was still asleep. That was good, because rest would help.
Help fix a missing foot? Don’t be stupid.
Mal bit back a growl. He was in unfamiliar territory here. If a wolf became infirm, they were generally rejected by the pack. And for stupid reasons. They weren’t animals; they weren’t humans. They were the best of both worlds, but too many packs figured that only the strong survived and the weak needed to be cast out. Not all were like that, but many. The Forest Walker pack had been one of them.
The rabbit twitched, then lifted its head. Mal put everything down and approached slowly, his hand outstretched.
“Hey, hi. Remember me? My name is Mal, and you’re in…well, a cave with me. Don’t worry, I’m not planning on eating you or anything.” He winced, remembering the rabbit he’d buried earlier. He needed to figure out a few things before they moved forward. “Can you hear me?”
The bunny tilted his head, then nodded.
“And no problems understanding me?”
If a bunny could scowl, this one was. It put its face nearer to the floor, and a strange rumbling came from it while the beast shook its head.
“Good. I only know wolves, so I’m not really sure how things work for rabbits.” Mal pointed toward the bags. “Are you hungry? I figure if we can get some food into you, maybe you’ll be able to shift and help heal….” He looked down at the same time the rabbit did. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
The bunny’s nose fluttered, and Mal couldn’t help but smile.
“Hungry? Good. I… don’t know what kind of food you eat. I went with fruit and hay, but after you shift, you can tell me what you like, and I’ll go back to town to get it for you.” A loud peal of thunder rattled the cave. “Maybe after the storm passes.”
He went to the first bag, pleased the hay bales were wrapped in plastic so at least they’d be dry. He undid the clasp and pulled out one of them, then went over and placed it beside the rabbit. He sniffed it a few times, then leaned in and nibbled.
“Good. I’ve got some fruit to go with that. Water too. We need to hydrate you.”
He set about getting everything ready while listening to the bunny chomping on the timothy hay.
“I have to ask, and I’m sorry for being blunt. We wolves aren’t really good with subtlety. You know about your foot, right?”
The bunny sighed and nodded.
“Okay. Was it from an accident?”
This time the rabbit’s lips curled back to show its teeth. It shook its head violently.
“Right. Someone did that to you.” Mal’s blood heated again. Fuckers would have to die. He went back to the bags, grateful for something to occupy his hands. “Let me get you some water.”
He pulled out one of the plastic bottles and unscrewed the top, then filled the dish with it. He placed it in front of the rabbit, who sniffed it.
“I swear, it’s not poison. Here.” He swallowed down the remainder of the water, taking relief to his parched throat. When he finished, he wiped off his mouth. “See? It’s… well, I wouldn’t exactly say good, but it’s clean so it’s better than nothing.”
The rabbit dipped his head into the bowl and lapped at the water, a curious purring emanating from him.
Mal wasn’t sure where this was going to lead. Should it lead anywhere? He could leave, since the rabbit was awake now. But….
Fuck. He couldn’t leave the rabbit alone. He hadn’t saved it from those men to walk away now. No, he would see this through. Then, once it was all settled, he could leave with a clear conscience.
Probably.
* * *
Alp bit back a moan as the water sluiced down his parched throat. Maker, how long had it been since he had an unlimited supply of water and not just enough to keep him docile? How many times had they taken it away from him when he wouldn’t obey, then left him without for days on end until he practically begged them for some?
When the wolf—Mal—moved, Alp shuffled around the water, guarding it greedily.
“Drink all you want,” he murmured from behind Alp. “I have five more bottles.”
