Previously:
When I got up to the door, I felt tears of joy slip down my cheeks. I pulled my dad into a hug. He laughed.
"You're here, you're really here!" I said.
"I thought I'd never see you again!" My dad cried.
Hazel bounded into the doorway. She saw me and grinned. "Hi, Nico."
But then both of their expressions turned grim, just like Will's. My dad pulled away, serious.
"Nico there's something we need to tell you."
--------now------

"What is it?" I asked, "and where's mom? I want to see her!"

"Nico this is about your mother. The drought is getting terrible and there have been wildfires."

"But our house is still standing. Where is she? MOM?" I called. There wasn't an answer.

"She was in the woods. She couldn't get out in time."

It dawned on me what they were trying to tell me.

"No." I whispered. I looked up at them, wondering if this was some sort of joke. If it was, it wasn't very funny.

"Nico, it happened yesterday. She was in the woods, heading for the market on the other side of the forest. There was a wildfire, and she didn't return."

I fell into Will's arms. He tried to help me up, but I turned into a cat and ran. I ran into the forest.

Maybe I can find her. Maybe she's just trapped somewhere. She can't possibly be dead! I never got to see her again!

As I bounded from tree to tree, and I saw all the ash, I realized that she actually was dead.

No! I can't believe it! She can't be dead!

I heard voices behind me, but I didn't care. Right now, my mission was to find my mother.

I searched the ashes. I stuck my head under logs. I never found her. I ran farther into the woods.

She isn't here! She's dead, Nico! Give up on finding her!

I have to find her! She can't be dead! I never got to see her!

She is dead, whether you got to see her or not. She's with Bianca.

No, she couldn't be dead. I will not accept it.

Nico, the sooner you get over it, the better.

She wouldn't want me to be happy without her.

She would want you to move on.

I tried to quiet my mind, which was at war. It didn't work. I just kept fighting with myself.

I was about to head back, though, when I heard a growl from behind me.

I whirled around, ears back. A pack of wolves came out of the shadows. I felt sick. I hissed at them, but I couldn't do much. A small cat won't survive in a pack of wolverines.

They circled me, not allowing a way out for me. They took their time, too.

The lead wolf was supposed to give the cue to attack so it was him that I kept my eyes on. They growled. I tried to make myself bigger, but honestly I probably looked stupid with my fur all puffed out.

"Nico?" I heard Will call from a while away. I meowed as loud as I could.

That wasn't very loud.

"Nico, please, come here. We can talk about her! I know you'll miss her. But please, come here!" He tried.

They wolves realized their prey might have backup and quickened their circle.

"Nico? Is that you?" I heard Will call. I meowed again.

The wolves were almost on me now. They were going to attack soon.

Will burst into the clearing. He paled when he saw what trouble I was in.

He did what first came to mind. "BAD DOG!" He yelled, grabbing a long, thick stick and running over.

The lead wolve pounced, cuing the rest to follow suit. I meowed my fear.

Will started hitting the wolves with his stick. They whimpered and left the fight for a bit, until they decided it was safe to join back in. I turned human, hitting away the wolves muzzles when they got close. I still ended up terribly scratched, though.

The lead wolf pounced on me and I screamed. Will hit it with his stick, but the wolf just growled and turned back to me. It's tears were bared. It was getting closer and closer to my face. I turned away from it, terrified. It's paws we're pinning me down.

Will hit it again, this time on it's ribs. The wolf, once again just growled and him.

Will looked as scared as I felt. He hit the wolf over and over. Finally, the wolf retreated.

I just laid there, my eyes closed. "Oh gods...."

Will came over and sat next to me. "That was scary."

He took my hand as we were laying there. I glanced down at it, but I didn't move. "I hate wolves."

"Do you hate all dogs? Since, you know, you can turn into a cat?" He cocked his head.

I blushed, embarrassed, but nodded. It was true.

"I know what I'm not getting you for your birthday, then."

Finally I decided I should probably get up and do something. I went over to the carriage and headed back to the castle. When we got back, I went in may room. Will sat down beside me.

"I'm sorry about your mother." He said.

"Go away."

Will looked hurt. "I can help you feel better."

"No. Go away."

"But...."

I didn't say anything, so he left. I suddenly felt very guilty. He was just trying to help. He didn't deserve that.

But I walked over to the door and locked myself in my room. I sat back down on my bed, my head in my hands.

My mother is dead, without my getting to see her one last time. Will probably hates you now because you were rude. Is there anything else that could possibly go wrong? It doesn't seem like there is.

It seems like the world is against me again. It seems like the entire world hates me,  and most of the people that hate me, I can't blame them.

Okay so that chapter is up now.
Vote if you liked it!
Comment if you didn't!

Word count: 1037 words