Belle

Belle wandered. She'd lost the trail of Leo long before she came here. Belle whined as she sniffed some garbage. She pushed over the can and ate whatever was there. She thought the humans might leave her alone if she was careful. Belle went into a trot and padded up the sidewalk, licking her lips.

Runt

Runt, along with his unofficial guardian, Blue Moon walked down the streets. Word from some of his packmates said that Risen and Lyckos wee plotting against Tainted. Runt's mother. Runt's leader. He wondered what the outcome of the Rebels would be. If they killed Tainted, would everything be restored to how it was before Hydras' 'death?' Would the Lurkers and Haunters go on hating each other and forgetting everything else? If word got to Tainted fast enough that she could make a run for it, would Tainted's pack remain safe? The thoughts plagued Runt.

The young hybrid noticed a familiar sight: Belle. The wolf that one of his mother's snakes had nearly killed. "So you're still alive, huh?" He said dully, his voice holing little emotion. He didn't really care about anything anymore. All he wanted was peace, but whether he liked it or not, he got war. He had the blood of the Haunters, Lurkers, and Rebels within him, packs that hated each other with all that they were. But back in his lineage was his dead grandmother, Tahti. She was all that kept him going.

Belle

Belle looked at them dully. "I guess." She said approaching them. She stared at the ground. Her life seemed hopeless now.

Runt

Runt stepped back when Belle approached him. "I suppose you'll be happy to know that my mother is going to be tortured and killed by two different packs." He said, a bit disgruntled. "I'm sure you remember her. She's the one who tried to kill you after your friend wouldn't leave my cousin's land and after you betrayed my cousin and his mate." Surely Belle remembered Runt's mother, Tainted, Runt's cousin, Kahvi, and his mate, Saydin. And, of course, all those feisty snakes.

Belle

"Yes. I remember Tainted and the arrogant horse named Leo." She said not looking at him with little emotion. "Her death would not make me happy." Belle stopped and looked at him. "He was looking for a fight, but came to the wrong place." Belle said solemly. "So where are you headed in this city?" Belle asked with some returning happiness.

Runt

Runt sat down, lowering his head. "Thanks for not holding a grudge against my mother." He said dully. He looked down the street. "I don't know where I'm headed. Inevitable doom, for sure. Every pack in the whole damn Valley hates my family. My father is from the Shadow Lurkers, but the Shadow Lurkers hate me now. My grandmother and grandfather are both from the Shadow Haunters, but they hate me too. Last I heard, Risen and Lyckos were working together to torture my mother."

Blue Moon looked down at his hybrid friend. "Perhaps we could ask Belle for assistance?" He suggested. Runt shrugged. He looked at Belle. "If you're not busy, can you help me get my mother to the human lands? I've never been too far into the residential areas."

Belle

Belle nodded. "I'm not mad. I was just protecting my friend." She thought about his question for a minute. "As long as She does not try to kill me." Belle said, worrying that she may be walking back into the lion's den.