Secrets

Chapter 41

Dropping the dead squirrel, Tiberius turned to run. However, it was too late as the fox grabbed him by the back of the neck. Snarling, the wild canine threw the old hawk across the small clearing. Hitting his head on a rock, Tiberius didn't bother getting back up. The fox, its attention no longer on the squirrel, moved towards the hawk.

"You leave him alone!" Gidget barked, abandoning her hiding spot. Rushing at the fox, she jumped and performed a powerful karate kick, her paw striking the larger canine's left hindleg. Yelping from pain and surprise, the fox fell over. Getting back to its feet, it growled at Gidget and lunged at her with jaws wide open. Eyes widening, the Pomeranian turned tail and ran.

Paws almost skimming over the ground, Gidget could hear the fox giving chase, intent on getting her now. Frantically looking around at her surroundings, she saw a giant maple tree up ahead with low hanging branches. An idea popped into her head as she made a mad run for it and took a flying leap. She luckily grabbed onto a branch.

Unfortunately for Gidget, the fox was right behind her and jumped as well. Snarling as it gripped the tree bark, it started climbing after her. Gulping, Gidget made her own descent up. The two canines climbed higher and higher. The branches were beginning to break under their paws too. Looking down, Gidget realized that the fox was gaining up on her. Moving closer towards the trunk, she waited patiently. The moment the fox reached her branch, she moved forward and punched it in the muzzle, causing it to fall. Watching the fox, Gidget cringed when she heard bones breaking once it hit the ground.

Breathing heavily, Gidget slowly made her way back down the tree. Glancing over at the fox's mangled body, she shuddered. "I'm very sorry... but I couldn't let you hurt my friend," she whispered, feeling bad for the fox. Just then, she remembered Tiberius. Worry clenched her heart as she raced back to the small clearing where she had left the old hawk. Upon arriving though, she found nothing.

Tiberius was gone.