What, you think I don't know you're there? Tobias turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of the two boys following him out of the corner of his eye. Brad and Greg weren't exactly inconspicuous, were they?
Tobias wasn't stupid enough to lead them back to the trailer park, or his Uncle's place. He wasn't terribly proud of that trailer, or his perpetually drunk guardian. But then, he wasn't going to lead the two bullies back to his den, either. He was prepared this time; the two boys were carrying baseball bats again.
Tobias kept to the side of the road, close enough the the shrubs lining the side brushed against his right arm. He kept a steady, relaxed pace, pretending that he was oblivious to their presence. The turn was right...there. He turned suddenly, crashing through the foliage along an unseen path, leading the two away from civilization and further into his own wild realm.
He paused for a moment, dropping his book-bag off to the side of the path before gong on. Determination boiled in his veins. He would be a victim no more.
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Brad and Greg stumbling after him, cursing. He smirked, then focused on his invisible path, drawing on his second voice.
(Brothers, siblings, do you hear me? It is I, White Paw.)
His mind was filled with the delightful yips and barks of the pack's cubs.
(White Paw, White Paw, are you coming to play?) Long Tail asked.
(Soon, sister, soon,) he answered, navigating his way through the trees. He paused and darted behind a tree, silencing his breath. He could hear the two bigger boys crashing through the undergrowth behind him, cursing.
"Didja see where he went?" Greg demanded.
Brad growled. "No. The little runt's probably hiding. We'll finish him off this time."
Tobias set his jaw determinedly. If no one would listen to him, he would have to take care of this himself. He saw them coming, heard their footsteps get louder and closer. He saw a flash of blue denim, a glimpse of mousy brown hair through green leaves and took off running.
He broke through the branches, the sudden noise startling birds out of their hiding places.
Exultant whoops and triumphant yells pierced the air behind him. He smiled to himself. The fools were taking the bait. He ran a wild course, glancing over his shoulder in what looked like fear to see whether or not they were keeping up.
A low branch lashed him across the chest, but he ignored the sting and burst into the clearing. He sank down to his knees, gasping for breath. A grim smile crossed his faced when he heard the other two behind him.
"Foundja," Brad crowed. There was gleeful malice in his voice. "C'mon Greg, let's finish him, right here, right now."
The bat sang through the air behind him, and Tobias whipped into action.
He flung himself sideways, one leg sweeping out in a devastating kick. Greg hit the ground with a cry, and Tobias rose up to his feet, stepping over his writhing body. He faced Brad, eyes focused.
"Oh, so the little white mouse decides to fight back," Brad jeered. And then he swung.
Tobias dodged nimbly, eyes always on his attacker. There was a roar from down below, for Greg had forced himself up. Tobias crumpled to the ground as the bat connected, pain exploding across his hip. Adrenaline spurred him on, and he grabbed Brad's ankle, yanking him down. Greg's bat cracked down again, but Tobias hung on doggedly. He was going to stop them, or die trying.
(White Paw!) Long Tail yipped in his mind, and the bushes came alive as the pack sprang into the clearing.
Brad was the first to give in when Black Fur and the other older males started circling. "Take Tobias, he's weak!"
Wow, they know my name, Tobias thought, watching as Greg began crawling away.
"There, see? Good wolf," Brad gasped out when Long Tail trotted over to Tobias, nuzzling him. The bully's gleeful expression turned to something like confusion mixed with terror when Tobias sat up, painfully, weaving his fingers through Long Tail's fur.
His eyes were black and endless, icy. "Game over, Brad. You wouldn't stop my pain." Black Fur leapt at Greg. "I can't stop yours."
The two sets of screams pierced the cool autumn air as the pack dove in, snarling.
Tobias sat at the edge of the clearing, stroking Long Tail's fur.
(We're allowed to eat two-leggers now?) she asked.
He shook his head, watching dispassionately the scene before him. (No, sister, just this once.)
She laid her head on his knee, barking softly.
He sighed and shut his eyes. He'd done what he'd seen necessary.
Couldn't stop it now, anyway.