All I’ve Ever Done

Fox shivered on the cold surface of the boulder beneath her paws. Winter was here in all it’s glory. She fluffed her fur as best as she could to fend off the harsh wind, and raised her eyes to the sky to watch for Cardinal. The sun was setting, and it would be dark soon. Moon would awaken and if Cardinal hadn’t retrieved Life and brought it to her soon, the window of opportunity would close.

“He’s not coming.” a voice low beneath the stone called up, and Fox looked down to see Rabbit herself, looking back up at her.

“What are you talking about?” Fox said, confused.

“Cardinal. He isn’t coming Fox. I knew you’d be waiting, and I thought I owed it to you to let you know. Wolf is coming, he doesn’t like being disrespected. You should start running.”

“Yes.” Fox responded. “That is what you taught me best. To run.”

Rabbit looked back, her expression sympathetic but resolved.

“Why wouldn’t he come?” Fox looked back up at the sky desperately.

“Maybe because you threatened his family.” Rabbit responded cooly. Fox hated how calm she sounded.

“How do you know any of this?” She snapped back, jumping down to the ground, to stand in front of Rabbit, who faltered slightly at Fox’s sudden movement. Wolf was right, Rabbit would never trust her again.

“He came to me.” She said. “He knew we were friends, in the beginning.” She trailed off and Fox felt another stab of hurt with those words.

“We were friends?” she repeated.

“Yes well, things change Fox. We learn, we grow, and we move on. And that’s what you should do now. Move on.”

“You never cared about me.” Fox whispered, letting Rabbit’s words sink in. “You don’t like who I am, so you want to chase me away.”

“That’s not true.” said Rabbit.

“Isn’t it?” Fox said, lurching toward Rabbit, baring her teeth angrily. Rabbit responded as Fox expected, but had hoped she wouldn’t. She jumped backward, poised to dash away.

“I’m just trying to help you. That’s all I’ve ever done.” She whispered.

“Well why don’t I help you then?” Fox glared. “I’ll give you until the count of three to run. Run as fast as you can, and don’t ever let me find you again. Or this time, I will eat you.”

Rabbit’s eyes shone in the fading light as day took it’s last stretch before night.

“One.” Fox started. Rabbit continued to stare at her in disbelief.

“Fox,” She began,

“What?!” Fox snapped. “What could you possible have to say now?”

Rabbit shrunk with sadness, and looked around them, assessing all possible escape routes.

“Are you going to run? Two!”

“I’m sorry it ended up like this.” Rabbit whispered.

“Me too.” responded Fox. And just as she opened her mouth to say “Three.” Rabbit was gone.

Fox took her leave across the river just as she had planned, stepping gingerly across the ice so as to not get wet. She traveled as far as she could, until exhausted, she fell asleep beneath another tree. All the while, Moon watched, her heart broken and brimming at the same time. Fox had learned her place in the world. Not a Rabbit, not a wolf, she was her own entity. Powerful and confident, but still alone, which was never Moon’s intention.

So it was there, beneath the tree, that Moon kissed the earth once again. And as flurries fell all around, Fox opened her eyes to see a face she’d never seen before. Rust-red fur, black soil-dipped paws and ears. And tufts of white around the ears, face, belly, and tail. “Hello,” Fox stood and greeted the new creature. “You must be new here.I’m Fox.“Who are you?”

“I think…” the creature began. “I think I’m Fox too. Although that’s all I know.”

“Are you hungry?” Fox smiled. “Let’s get you something to eat.”

________________ *This piece was written as a part of a series for #Folktaleweek2021 in response to the prompt “Sky” for 11/20/2021.

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-Jessica