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Nothing Special

One

Cliff’s eyes opened for the first time to find a warm light weaving its way through the woven branch canopy over his head, golden shafts reaching down and touching the soft dirt that encompassed him and his little siblings. Turning his head, excitement filling him, he looked at his siblings for the first time with a tense thrill.

He had four other siblings. He had known that already, deep in the back of his mind, if only subconsciously. Two sisters, two brothers. All of them younger than him, even if only by a few moments.

Cliff was the biggest and knew already that one day he would take over his family’s pack as the alpha. Next in the line was Fern, the eldest of the two females. She turned her own brown eyes and looked at him, her soft, caramel-colored fur rich in the shafts of light.

Then was Tree Frog, the other sister. She was light gray and just cracking open her eyelids to catch the first glimpse of light and the world.

Vulture, the little brother, was about the same size as Tree Frog, just a little longer. Almost black and lithe, he was Cliff’s favorite to play with, rough with his mouth but submitting. Cliff liked when his siblings would submit to him.

Then finally was their runt, Bone. He was skinny, oh so skinny, his gray-blue-brown fur clinging to his skeleton without any muscle to back up his frame. Cliff was shocked that the littlest littermate hadn’t starved yet.

He watched as Vulture wiggled to his feet, pouncing on top of Fern and wrestling her into the ground. Bone dodged away from their tromping feet. He didn’t like to play. Something was off about him, Cliff could feel it.

This is my family, my pack, Cliff thought proudly as Tree Frog tromped around their little den, exploring with her new eyesight. I’ll lead them one day. But for now… I’ll watch. I’ll watch them and get to know them and be there for them. He looked over at Bone, who had his frighteningly blue eyes fixated on his soft-furred paws. And I’ll watch that one, just to make sure. I’m sure that he’s fine. He’s nothing special.

- President Loki

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