We Meet Again (Judith and Alcatraz)

"If you don't let anyone in, if you don't let people trust you, then you will be alone- in the end, forever; and it will be your fault, and no one else's, all because you couldn't admit to your mistakes and move on!"

Razor's words were haunting her like a ghost, Judith having left the rogue a couple days ago at the pass. Restlessly she traveled, lips set into a firm line and paws forming callous after callous.

"You will be alone- in the end, forever..."

She heaved a sigh, the wolf bitch staring out across the forest. She could see the meadow stretching far as the eye could see and yet, it didn't look as beautiful as she knew it should.

Forever. The phrase stuck to her head like a leech and Judith hated that this Razor fellow already had cast a deep effect onto her.

Heaving a sigh, she let herself take a rest beneath a lonely tree. Faint sunlight streamed through the dreary gray clouds, allowing the drowning woods some peace.


Alcatraz bounded through the field heading north toward Kausen territory. He did not know where he was headed exactly, he just wanted to get away from Blutwald. It was midday and he had been walking since the night before.

A breeze brought a familiar scent wafting into his nose. He furrowed his brow. Judith? He lifted his head and looked around. Sure enough, in the distance, a lonely tree stood. And was that a wolf laying down under it?

It was in his path, so Alcatraz was not inconvenienced at all by bounding over toward her, although he probably would have gone out of his way if he had noticed her elsewhere. After all, he had no real destination in mind.

"Well, skin me alive." he growled to the female as he approached,  "You survived." It was not an unfriendly growl, just the kind of growl that was naturally in his speaking voice. His tone held no real emotion, except maybe it was a little surprised at her appearance.


Judith's eyes were closed but she could hear Alcatraz's heavy paws as he came her way. She heaved a sigh, sounding tired as she rested her chin upon her leg.

Managing a smirk, she peeked an eye open to look at the brown wolf's large form. "Yea," she mused. "Pity, isn't it?"

The loner huffed, scowling suddenly. "Why are you talking to me? I left early to avoid this," she said, sounding dull.


Alcatraz shrugged and sat down. "Coincidence. I am headed north. I didn't know you would be here." he said to her. "Is your leg feeling better?" he remembered that terrible moment when he had to pop it back into place.


Judith just pinned him with a look, though said nothing as she raised her head up from her paws. "My leg?" She scoffed, "It was nothing but a splinter honestly, there is no need to ask of its condition."


Alcatraz answered her gaze with a cool one of his own, wondering why she was so grouchy this afternoon. "I am happy to hear that." he said. He thumped his tail heavily on the ground. "So what are you doing out here anyway?" he asked her.


“What?” Judith inquired, giving the male something of an offended look. However, if one knew Judith well enough, they could see it was only a cover up for a little humor. “Am I not allowed to enjoy the scenery as you?” She raised her brows.

Alcatraz got that she was not truly offended and he smiled a bit. ”I suppose you are allowed to.” he agreed, settling down onto his belly, happy for the excuse to rest after a long day of travel. ”Any news on your mother?” he asked her, although he had a feeling he knew the answer, since she was here.

The lean-faced loner let her head fall upon the crook of her elbow. His question caused her to perk her light-colored ears, slightly peeved to be reminded of the woe of her life. “Unfortunately, no,” she told him. “Only more goose feather.”

Alcatraz shrugged his large shoulders, ”I’m sorry.” he said, ”I suppose it is only a matter of time.” he said, shifting his pale yellow eyes to the ground. He looked back up at her, ”Anything interesting happen to you since you left?” he asked, trying to keep the conversation going. He just didn’t want her to ask about him. He didn’t want to talk about Ivan, even if she most certainly saw the fresh scar torn into the top of his shoulder.

“I’ve been bading time for so long as is, its as if the universe itself is against the idea of mother and I reuniting.” She looked irritated and tired, face gaunt from hunger and lack of sleep. At his question, she did welcome the change of topic. “I saw a rock, does that count as interesting.” She wanted to be nosy about the blood scent he carried but decided to remain aloof of her awareness of the cuts.

Alcatraz watched her expression mildly, ”Well… only time will tell.” Alcatraz said. He snorted in amusement, ”I suppose.” he said, sitting back up onto his haunches, ”So what are your plans now? More wandering?” he asked. He knew that he should get moving soon as well. He was still too close to Blutwald than he wanted to be.

“I need to have a serious discussion with time then,” Judith said, brooding as she suddenly found herself glaring at a nearby rock as if it had wronged her. At his inquirement, she turned back to the big brown male. “Yes,” she replied, not missing a beat. “There is to be no resting until I see that mother is safe and sound. Honestly, I cannot think of anything else as a future.” She smiled woefully. “And yourself? If I may so rudely intrude?”

Alcatraz frowned as he listened to her. Judith had been through a lot in her life, and he knew her guilt was tearing her apart. It was clearly a load she would carry for all her life, until her mother was found. It was tragic, Alcatraz thought, that she could not move on… she could not be happy. Not until the impossible happened. Well, not impossible, but extremely unlikely. It was a big world, after all…

Alcatraz shrugged casually as she asked, ”I dunno. North, up toward the mountains there.” he said vaguely. He didn’t have much of an idea. He just wanted to get as far away as possible.

“I would be weary,” Judith warned, deadpanned as she looked at his face. “I hear rumors of a pack around those mountains, rather religious and nasty of outside influence.” She narrowed her eyes, heaving a sigh. “I suppose this is where we part then again, Alcatraz.”

Alcatraz nodded at her words. He would take them very seriously and be sure to steer clear from any pack scent he came across. ”Alright. Thank you…” he said. He heard her sigh and nodded. He supposed she was right. It was time for them both to get moving. ”I suppose. Where are you headed now?” He asked, raising to his paws.

“Do not thank me, I feel I owe you for saving my life not only once but twice.” She got to her paws. “I don’t know,” Judith replied, sounding frank. “Anywhere, maybe.” She moved to walk passed him, stopping. “I wish you luck.”

Alcatraz met her gaze evenly, ”Well, you may have just saved mine.” he answered. Now he knew to be weary, and steer clear of other wolves in case they were part of this nasty pack. He dipped his head politely to the female. ”Yes, and to you. Farewell, Judith.” he said, trotting toward the northwest across the grassy plains and sparse shrubby trees. He had a feeling that even if they were parting ways for the third time, this would not be the last that they see of each other. They always seemed to find a way to meet again, whether they knew it or not.