Chapter 8: The lone Wolf.
Riley was darting straight for the woods, he looked behind his shoulder, He saw Dug and Alpha running down a trail off to his left, Riley could hear Dug yelling at Alpha,
Dug- Alpha wait, stop! You don’t know if he is there, wait! The sound of Dugs voice slowly fades into the woods until nothing could be heard. Riley came to a huge bush that cut into a open area. Riley felt his collar vibrate and Wane was calling on the other line.
Wane- Riley! I need you to report to the base pronto, I need to talk to you about last night.
Riley- But, I did not do anything last night but patrolled around the jungle.
Wane- Do not lie to me Riley, we have been at this point several times, you will not walk your way out of this one, do not make me send the other wolves out to find you. You do not want them to bring you back here hurting. Now do as I say and find your way back here, this is your only warning. Wane ended the call. Riley sat in the middle of a trail putting his paw to his face and sobbing, Riley always felt he could never do anything right with these wolves.
Riley- I really don’t want to go back, the wolves will gang up on me and attack me anyway. I am better off quiting the pack and joining Dug and Alpha on their quest. Riley just ventured along the trail and came to a set of pine trees and bushes, he looked at the bushes they looked highly poisonous, Riley stepped away and kept walking
Riley- Antiaris toxixaria, I am not going through there. Riley came to a cave at the end, he walked inside. There was a pan and gravy bowl on the ground and dog beds along the wall. Riley had made his way to Dug and Alpha’s camp. Riley looked around and felt a vibration on his neck, the collar tracker was activated. Riley quickly left the cave and went back on the trail. He went through the double trees and came out to the hillside. This is where Dug and Alpha met the other wolves. Riley went down the trail and went down a dark path leading through a thick set of wood. After a while Riley finally started hearing his other fellow wolf pack members. He pushed his way through some bushes; surrounded by trees, their leaves blocked a lot of sunlight out. Riley peaked through the bushes and there it was, a giant round machine with a antenna on top was being worked on by someone Riley could not recognize. There were seven wolves and a Doberman standing at the base of the weapon watching the man. Riley smiled, It was Britney. She was the only dog in this wolf pack, apparently everyone liked her despite her being a dog.
Britney- Hey, master what tool do you need next?
Man- hand me that screw driver with a solid base, that would be the flathead. Britney shuffled through the toolbox and picked up the screwdriver with her mouth and handed it to the man. Riley just stared at the female Doberman, she looked almost exactly like Alpha, but she wore a pink translator collar around her neck. The man and the other wolves went inside the big base. Britney was the only one that remained in the yard. Riley walked up to her and sat down next toher. Britney turned and saw Riley next to her.
Britney- Hey Riley, what is the mater sweet heart? You look down again, are those wolves being mean to you again?
Riley- Yes Britney, no matter what I do it is never enough for the others. Nobody likes me, accept Charlie and Wane, the other thirty two wolves hate me! I don’t know what else to do Britney, its like I am giving up! Britney barked at him and put her paw on his back.
Britney- No, don’t you dare, I will be so mad at you. Let me tell you something honey, you got to stand up to them. They will keep abusing you until you say something to them. I can’t always fight your battles sweet heart, you need to be a wolf and fight back. Then Wane saw Riley and came charging out the base.
Wane- You are in big trouble mister, get your butt in that base this very second or you will wish your momma was here to save you. Riley took off inside the base. Wane turned and looked at Britney and said,
Wane- I don’t want you talking to that looser, you are better than that sweetoms. You are probally the most liked animal here my pretty. You know sugar plum, I am still waiting for that date, come on you don’t want a wolf, hey Britney I hear that wolf hybrids are the new dog now. Britney gagged at Wanes remark, she would never mate with Wane even if he was the last wolf on the planet.
Britney- First of all, that whole statement is one hundred percent wrong. You and I I will never be together and never will be together! I would never mate with you, because you are a mean selfish self-centered animal, and you hurt Riley every day. We are done here see you later Wane. Britney walked towards the doorway of the base. She jumped up and entered the giant room. Riley just smiled and said he would have her one day. Wane walked in the giant noisy base, He closed the door behind him and entered a dimly lit room. This was the holding area of this giant structure. Wane got on the loud speaker and told everyone to quiet down. He stood on a stage along the wall and started making announcements,
Wane- Alright everyone, lend me your ears; I have some critical highlights to go over with you guys. Alright as you all know we have guests that have returned to our jungle, they managed to bypass two of our traps, and now are here, their names are, Dug, I hate that runt more then you guys know, and Alpha. These two canines are here for a mission, to destroy our weapon. We must not let them succeed if master finds out that they destroyed his weapon, master will destroy us! So let’s all work together and bring these two in. RILEY!! Step forward, NOW! All the wolves were squinting and showing their teeth at Riley, Ralph clawed him in his back and forced him to step forward. Riley walked shaking as he came to the base of the stage.
Wane- I want to talk to you come here. NOW!!! Wane yelled as loud as his collar would allow him. Riley walked up on the stage. All the wolves were staring him down like vultures.
Wane- I will ask you one time Riley where did you go last night and don’t even lie because I will pull up the video and show the other wolves. You do not want me to go there Riley, so just come clean and say the truth. Riley’s heart was pounding and was shaking; he was so scared to say the truth. Riley felt like he had nothing to lose anyway, so he told them the truth.
Riley- It is true, I went to see the dogs last night we hung out and we chatted about the old times, nothing else happened I ashore you. I just got tired of being hated by you guys, so it felt good to be loved for once. The entire room filled with snarling wolves. The pack slowly approached the stage gaining on Riley.
Ralph- Please let me be the one to end this traitor Wane, I hate him the most, and I want him gone! I will have many enjoyments for when you meet your final match. They grew closer and Wane silenced the room with a furious bark. Wane looked at all the other wolves with evil eyes and they all retreated.
Wane- Riley can I talk to you privately, Charlie can you come to as well? Wane walked through a doorway and came into a very long narrow hallway. There was a catwalk above them which led to the bridge. Wane stopped and grabbed Riley by his collar and held him close to him.
Wane- Listen wolf, I am tired of cutting you slack, you do realize the trouble you are in right Riley? You made the pack resent you even more. Ralph wants to rip you apart, he hates you with a passion, but I will give you one more chance to prove yourself to us. I swear to gosh, if you fail us one more time that will be it for you Riley, do you hear me? Riley shook his head yes and Charlie looked at Wane with a sour look,
Charlie- you know Wane, this right here is why the other wolves hate him, you coddle him and give him every chance in the world. If that was one of them, you would have terminated them right there on the spot. So it is not fair to the others that he gets every chance, when the others live by their duties and respect our family. Wane snapped his claws at Charlie and told him to be quiet. Wane called for master. A tall skinny man with a straight mustache, and grey eyebrows, spiky grey hair and wore a heavy camo jacket came walking out of one of the rooms. Wane smiled at Riley and offered him his own special mission.
Wane- Master Cole has a mission for you Riley, and Charlie will go with you to make sure you do complete it! If we find out that you back out or run away we will track you on your collar and remote shock you, to subdue you, then we carry you back and terminate you! So, please do your mission, make me proud. Don’t lose the only wolf friens you got here Riley that would really suck. Poor Charlie has lost patients with you too Riley, he is actually the second nicest wolf in this pack and he is even tired of you. So please, please make me proud I would hate to have to eliminate one of my own family members, or kick him out for treason.
Cole- Alright wolf here is your mission, you are to set up an ambush at the camp site of those two dogs and fall back to the base. I will speak to Charlie alone if you don’t mind. I need to tell him what he will be using for the mission. Ralph did as he was told and walked back to the rear of the base. He opened the door back outside and jumped down and entered the yard. The surrounding trees all around the area were peaceful. He walked up to the weapon and stared at it. There was a hole in the middle of it, to Riley’s eyes it looked like a keyhole, which would be used to activate the weapon. Riley looked at the sky it was starting to get a little dark in the distance. His excellent hearing could hear what sounded like thunder in the distance as well, which means a storm was coming. Riley started venturing through the nearby woods, He caught a glimpse of something, it was sticking out one of the bushes and he followed it down a long aisle of bushes. He picked up a scent with his strong nose and followed it. He kept going and came to a small circular area; in the middle was dead flowers and something sticking out the dead patch. Riley walked up to it and to him it looked like a buckle to a watch, he pulled it out with his paw and it was a collar, a translator collar to be exact. The name on the collar said Burns! Riley looked at ir some more and knew who did it. He showed his teeth and made a evil face. He heard his name being called by Wane, he quickly threw the collar back in the patch and ran through the thick bushes back to the base.
Wane- Where did you go Riley? We have been calling for you for five minutes, what’s up? Riley just smiled and said ‘just exploring Wane, just exploring’ Wane and Charlie came out the base and saw it was getting darker.
Charlie- Storm’s coming, let’s get this job done and get back here before it pours. That cloud is still a good ways away but all behind it to the horizon it is dark grey. Wane wished the two wolves luck, Britney came running outside and came and hugged Riley.
Britney- Be safe my boy, please do whatever Charlie asks of you okay? I really don’t want to lose you Riley, remember what I told you. Alright, be safe, see you soon. Britney walked back to the doorway and waved good-bye. Charlie led Riley through the mystery of the jungle. Riley asked about the dead flower patch and why a translator collar was there. Charlie stopped suddenly and turned his head, and stared at Riley. Like Riley was not supposed know about it.
Charlie- How do you know about that Riley? That is classified information. How in the world do you know about the collar? HELLO!!
Riley- because, I was exploring the jungle while you guys were talking and I came across it just a while ago. Charlie was shocked; the look on his face said it all. Charlie led Riley deeper into the woods, they came to a cave. It was Dug and Alpha’s cave.
Charlie- Perfect, this is where we will set up the trap. We will lay the traps two in a row on either side of the path, and two on either side of those two tress, and one in the middle, and finally two more on the other side. Charlie was carrying a bag on his back and threw it on the ground and revealed the traps. Riley could not believe his eyes, Wane was trying to kill Dug and Alpha.
Riley- Just what insane heckfire are you doing with those smart mines? I know you are not trying to set them up and blow away Dug and Alpha. You really think that will outsmart these two they are pretty smart. These two dogs are nothing like the old dogs. I seen them in action, Alpha has got pretty good eyes he can track almost anything that gets in his path. I promise you they will find these in the ground on their way back to camp.
Charlie- I know darn well you are not standing up to me, do you want me to get Wane on the line? He is already mad at you for not telling the truth about last night. If he finds out that you did not complete your mission, I cant promise you will have a home to come back to when we are done here. Riley looked at Charlie sad and Charlie handed him the first mine. Riley refused it. Charlie started growing angry at Riley.
Charlie- Riley, I will not ask you again if you do not come set these traps like Wane asked you to do, I will call Wane and have him take care of this situation! Riley just sat with his back turned to Charlie. Charlie lost all patience and called Wane on his collar Charlie told Wane that Riley was refusing to plant the mines, Wane wanted to speak to Riley Charlie walked over to Riley and Wane yelled through the communicator,
Wane- RILEY!! Get your butt in gear right this second and do your mission, do you not remember what I said I was going to do to you if you did not complete it? When you get back we will take your collar away and release you into the wild like a regular wolf. Just like how we found you before. Now if you want to go that route keep pushing me. Now suck it up be a wolf, and do your freakon mission, NOW!! Wane hung up and Charlie handed him the first mine. Riley took it and set it up in the ground. Charlie handed him the second mine. Riley set that one up as well and activated it. Then the two wolves moved to the two trees in the circular area. Riley placed two more mines on either side of the two trees. Then they came up and laid two more just beyond the opening. Charlie smiled as Riley laid the last trap and activated it.
Riley- Mission accomplished, can we go back to the base now? The wind started to pick up, the dark grey clouds were almost on top of them, the wind started blowing much harder and the sound was violent. The two wolves ran through the opening of their path and came back to the hillside. Charlie started running down the trail of to the right which took them back to the base. Riley stopped, he looked bellow on the bottom, Dug and Alpha were running towards Riley and Riley had to move fast. He cut around the corner and hid behind a bush. Dug and Alpha came up the hill. Riley immediately noticed something different about one of the dogs. Alpha, he did not have a chipmunk voice anymore. Instead he had a normal voice. Like a regular voice. He noticed the collars on both of their necks were also different. They were completely new collars! Where in the heck did they go? Riley watched as Dug and Alpha disappeared behind the aisle of bushes. Riley just now also realized that Charlie had left him behind. Charlie was nowhere in sight. The dark clouds were now coming overhead, the wind picked up even more, and the sound got crazier. All the trees were blowing rapidly in the crazy wind. It was getting even darker now. Riley cut through some bushes and made his way deeper in the dark jungle. He was starting to get scared, then, BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! Multiple explosions went off from behind Riley! He jumped ten feet in the air and knew that it was where Dug and Alpha went. Riley howled in the loud howling wind and cried. He felt responsible for the loss of our buddies. Riley then got the feeling maybe they didn’t get blown up; maybe it was a wild animal. Riley walked down a long trail, lost, alone, and now was the lone wolf. Then, the rain started coming down the wind started blowing rain everywhere and Riley was now stuck outside in the middle of a thunderstorm. It was very dark now, rain started coming down like a monsoon. Riley needed to find a place to get warm and get out of the storm. He could not see anything. His eyes were filled with rain water and he tried his best to clear it. Riley then saw a cave in the distance. He ran through big puddles of rain water and came to the entrance. Lightning struck and he swore he saw two figures run and hide in the distance. The shapes he could not read but he watched them disappear. Riley got up and was now soaking wet. He ran to the cave entrance and looked inside. It was a dark and lonely cave. Riley came in and shook all the water off of him. Then his collar ring it was an incoming call. The collar said it was Wane.
Wane- Well I was going to congratulate you but you are nowhere to be found. You finally complete your mission and ready to give you praise and you are not here. What the heck Riley! What is your explanation for this? Riley could not thin of an answer. Then he finally said,
Riley- I got lost in the jungle the storm was coming and I got lost. The rain really was coming down and I could not see anything. I am stuck in some cave and I am trying to dry off. I am going to spend a night out here tonight Wane, if that is alright with you? Wane said that was fine and ended the call. Riley had no idea where he was. He noticed stuff marked on the back wall and got up went to examine it. It was a map outlining the labroith where the bird lived. On the wall bellow it said Operation Fall down. Riley had no clue as to what this was but he dismissed it and went back to the middle of the stone room and layed down. Riley saw a passageway leading off behind the wall. He looked in it and it led down to nowhere. Riley said no way and retreated, but as he was walking his rear foot got caught on one of the loose rocks and rolled down the dark tunnel system. Riley activated his flashlight on his collar. It was pitch black. He was shaking and scared at the same time. Riley turned the corner and swore he saw a figure move around the other corner. Riley was now losing his mind. He saw the figure disappear and then he came to a huge hole on the left wall next to him. He could not see anything. He need to find more light so he located a oil lamp and picked it up. As he came back to the location he flung the lamp and lit the oil in the fine openings. A horrifying thing lay before his eyes. There were skeletons everywhere. A mountain high stacks of bones. The skeletons looked like canine skeletons
Riley now wanted to get out and so he saw a ladder, but he had to crawl his way through the bones. But before he left he saw something laying on the floor in the corner of the back wall. It was a collar, but it looked very basic, like the first generation collars. The name on the collar said, Weeley. Riley knew that someone had ben involved with these dogs for decades. Riley also knew that somebody was not telling the full truth, Riley jump for the ladder. Hanging on with his front paws, he was kicking his hind legs around like crazy. He climbed his way up the rusty old ladder and came to a sink hole. Riley dug his way out the hole and came into another room there was a single lantern lamp on a table in the room. Riley walked through and there were plans everywhere. At the center of all the stuff on the wall, there was a picture of a skyscraper, with a name in red letters, Lamdaton Industries. The future is now, and the future can’t wait. So come on board and see what this company has to offer. Riley did not like the looks of this; he now started to wonder if someone from this company is linked to all the unusual deaths that have occurred of the past several decades. Riley started taking snaps of the plan board and retreated back outside. He saw a thick set f bushes straight ahead and went through them. He came to a long path leading to the back of a cave. He trailed it and found himself in the midst of a bear. He was big black and also wore a translator collar around his neck to. Riley was more preoccupied by Dug and Alpha. He was so happy he could not speak.
Riley- I thought you guys were dead! I heard multiple explosions earlier; I assumed you were done for. The two dogs stared at each other and then looked at the bear. Dug and Alpha had mad faces on and they were not happy. Riley also had information to give. The situation was getting uglier by the minute. The bear wanted to speak and he revealed everything.