The knocking became persistent. 

"Yayha, Redalynne. It's urgent, please. It's about Drav."

Red peeked out her window. Dravs mom stood pink eyed behind Elder Baiza, and one of the male elders, Tan. She clutched onto her husbands hand. Red heard Yayha come down stairs. She opened the door.

"Please come in," said Yayha.

"Thank you. Sorry to bother you so early," said the gruff voice of Tan. "Is Red awake. We just have a few questions."

" What are you talking about," asked Yayha. "I have the right to know.

Tan looked at Baiza. Baiza cleared her throat. "Drav wasn't up for breakfast this morning."

Dravs moms voice cut in. "It's not like him," she sniffled. " He's always up. I went to his room. He was gone."

"You don't say," said Yayha.

This time Dravs dad spoke up. "One of his bedroom windows were open. The other was smashed by a rock."

"He doesn't like to sleep with a draft," said his mom. "He wouldn't leave the window open."

"And one had a rock thrown right through it, "yelled his dad.

"Klin please," said Dravs mom, Ruby.

"I heard it smash. While I was cleaning Hampshire's sty," said Klin. "I ran to see what happened, but I couldn't find anyone close by.

A hard ball bobbed down Red's throat as she evesdroped.

"I stayed in the barn for a while. My shotgun, let's just say she was ready. I didn't hear anything and it was getting late. I went inside and dozed off. I should have," he started to choke up. " I should have stayed up longer."

"Now, now," said Elder Tan. He gave Klin a pat on the back. "It's not your fault. If you could, Yayha. Could you fetch Redalynne."

She heard the creek of the stairs as Gramma rushed up them. Red laid down and pulled the covers over her eyes. She didn't want to be caught awake and listening in. Gramma pulled the attic cord down, making light seep through the cracks. Red stirred.

"Redalynne. We have visitors and it is urgent. You have to wake up now," said Yayha.

As she walked down the stairs Ruby's eyes met her. Their was an accusatory leer in them.

"Ah, Redalynne," said Baiza, smoothing out her hands. "Please, we must ask you a few things."

Red gave her a nod.

"Now, first off. When did you see Drav last?"

"When he took me and my things home," said Red "Just before eight stone I believe."

"And you didn't see him after," asked Tan.

Red shook her head. "I took a walk around town after. Visited the pond "

"Did you notice anything, peculiar," asked Tan.

"Drav has gone missing my dear," spoke Baiza. "Just vanished. I am sorry," she grabbed Red's hand. "I am sure we will find him, so don't worry."

"We are going to search for evidence," said Tan. "You may come. I am sure it would be great help. As a wife to be, it's great to show devotion."

"I don't understand," said Red

"What d'you mean," Klin spoke up. "My son is gone, missing. What is there to not understand."

Tan interupted him. "It is strange, Redalynne. That is why we would like your help. Any help you can do will suffice."

The walk to Dravs had a bitter chill. It could have been the chill of the early morning, but to Red it seemed like more.

They entered Dravs room. The rock Red had thrown still lied on the ground, surrounded by shards of glass. There was nothing else out of order, according to Ruby. Ruby walked to the window. Dravs room was on the first floor, so he could have easily left. Or maybe someone could have easily let themselves in. With the other window broken, the latch would have easily been turned. She motioned for the elders to come towards her. A wispy finger pointed outside to an animal print in the mud. It looked like it belonged to a wolf. Dark spots of blood surrounded the print.

"This is concerning," said Elder Tan. He looked back at Baiza. Baiza gave him a look of shock.

"We may have to do a search, out there," said Baiza.

"What have you done," screamed Ruby. Her eyes strongly on Red.

"Oh calm yourself Ruby," said Yayha. "Red has nothing to do with this. Right Red."

Red nodded back, as everyone's gaze fell on her. Something in the deepest pit of her mind told her differently. Did she possibly have something to do with this. She let that thought quickly go, because how could she.

"We will need to search out there," repeated Baiza. "OK. I will gather the other Elders. Ruby, Klin. We should see you in another hour. Yayha, Redalynne. We will come get you before we leave. Yayha, do you have your key?"

"Yes," said Yayha.

Red and Gramma went back home. Red started breakfast as Yayha rushed to her room. Red could hear her move stuff around and scramble from the floor below. Her Gramma started to stomp, and make long breathy sounds.

"Higgons, I am sure I locked the key in the box. You saw me right," said Yayha.

Higgons mewed back.

"And only I know the pin. Did I leave the key somewhere else?"

Higgons mewed once more.

Red knew where the key was, but if Gramma knew she took it... She kept it to herself, and just hoped that Yayha wouldn't bother questioning her. She mixed the eggs and sprinkled in some shredded cheese. Yayha continued to tear apart her bedroom. Higgons padded downstairs and glared back at Red. He may have known the truth, but he had an inability to snitch on Red. Luckily for Red, Gramma could not speak cat.

Red finished up the breakfast, and a knock came at the door. She let Drav's parents and the elders into the home. "Gramma," she called out.

Yayha made her way downstairs. "Hello, everyone. Ah, breakfast smells good Redalynne. May we eat quickly before we go. I am rather hungry and that smells lovely."

"Go ahead," said Baiza.

Breakfast was eaten with haste. Yayha wiped her mouth, dropped the napkin on the table then stood up. She flattened out her dress, and made her way to the door. She motioned for Red to follow, not concerned that her plate and mouth were both half full.

The elders were waiting. the large gate behind them. Beside the elders stood Ruby, Klin's arm wrapped tightly around her shoulder. Red realized that this was first time she has ever seen Ruby and Klin get so close.

"We have found a hole," said Klin as he patted dirt off his knees. Looks like something decided to dig under the gate."

"Do you have your key, Yayha," asked Tan, as he put up a hand to hush Klin.

Yayha fumbled around in her pockets for a minute or so. "Must have left it at home. My brain is so scattered. I apologize."

Red knew that was a lie, Yayha didn't have her key, but of course she couldn't say anything so she just stood there, in her usual silence.

"Well, I still have my copy," said Tan as he grabbed a set of keys on a ring. "This would be quicker since you have the one key, and I have many, but that's fine." He fumbled around with the keys, testing a few out.  The keyring jingled as he unlocked the gate.

Ruby hugged herself tightly, as a chill came over her. She peered around, as she trodded along. The lavish amount of trees surrounding her, gave her a sudden feeling of claustrophobia.

"Will this take long," Ruby asked with a shiver.

"We are hoping not, said Elder Roos, another male elder. He had long hair, and tanned skin, taught like leather. Roos was the youngest of the male elders.

On they walked, as they searched. Klin had a rifle in one hand and a torch in the other. He took the lead. Roos took the back, holding Klins shotgun, and a torch.

"Drav," yelled Ruby, her hands cupped around her mouth. "Drav!"

The sun peeked its crown up from the distance . Soon it would serve more light, but for now it was too early in the morning and the darkness still took over. Klins torch swung back and forth

"Drav," Ruby continued to yell.

A crane made a loud honk, from the sky above. Its call echoed. Slowly everyone pressed on. Ruby called Drav's name a few more times. Klin came to a stop, and his sholders started to tremble. He got low on his knees. A yell escaped his throat, sending dozens of avians off in flight. Ruby ran up toward him. Her breathes became panicked. He grabbed a body, and turned around.

Drav's corpse remained limp in Klin's arms. He had bite marks all over his face and collar bone. His right arm had been chewed to bits, with his scapula bone protruding through the flesh. It looked like razor sharp claws ripped his chest open. Gashes of skin and blood shined under the torchlight.

"WHY!," screamed Ruby, "Why."

Yayha grabbed onto Red's hand, her grasp almost bone crushing.

"How horrible. No one should ever witness such a thing," said Yayha. Her eyes met Red's, with a look of condescension. "He would have made a beautiful child."