Free Frost Arch by Kate Bloomfield Page B

until at last whatever was in it tumbled onto the bed with a soft thump.
    I let out a gasp. It appeared to be a ball of quivering white fur.
    No … The fur seemed to have four unmistakable limbs. I watched as the ball of fur uncurled itself and flapped its tiny white feathered wings. I gaped. What was it? I edged slightly closer and it shook with apparent fear.
    I let out a small gasp as I realised what was before me.

Chapter four
     

Fury Little Friend
    The tiny baby fox blinked at me several times, his back arched and his tail between his legs. His fur was whiter than the freshly fallen snow outside and protruding from his shoulder blades were two unmistakable little wings. They looked barely big enough to lift his chubby little body from the ground. Very carefully I edged closer to the bed, curiosity burning through me. The fox gave a yelp and stuffed itself back into the bag as I drew closer.
    Chewing down on my lip as I kneeled by the bed I saw two light blue eyes glowing from the bag. It was absolutely beautiful. I had never seen a creature that radiated such purity. My breath caught in my chest as the tiny thing sniffed the air curiously, his nose barely leaving my bag by an inch.
    “It’s okay.” I promised.
    A paw left the bag, then another as he tested the atmosphere. He let out a little sneeze due to the dust that caked the room. I smiled and extended my hand towards the creature noticing that I was shaking too.
    So this is what I had rescued from Jefferson’s carriage; an amazingly adorable baby fox. Well, if you could call it a fox, I thought, but why hadn’t it escaped into the wild when it had the chance?
    “It’s okay.” I repeated, “You’re safe.”
    At these words the fox emerged from my bag cautiously, his wings flapping pointlessly on his back. He eyed me warily with those startling blue eyes as he shifted uncomfortably across the surface of the bed.
    I held my breath as I closed the distance between myself and the fox, my hand barely an inch away. To my great relief he sniffed my fingers curiously before licking them in an affectionate way. I smiled, grateful that I hadn’t had my fingers bitten off. I lifted my hand to pet his head softly and he bowed with his tail between his legs as though he were in trouble for being naughty. I gently stroked his smooth coat.
    It only took a few minutes of coaxing before the fox would let me scratch behind his ears and rub his belly. He seemed to remember me thoroughly. Soon he was pressing his nose into my hand, wanting more attention. I smiled all the while lathering my new friend with attention, yet something was nagging me in the back of my brain.
    Why had it decided to stay with me? Surely an animal which had proved to have superior intelligence would have fled.
    I withdrew my hand and almost at once the fox began to jump around on the bed playfully, pawing at the ground, swishing his tail, and flapping his tiny wings.
    I grinned, through the smile was short-lived. There was a knocking at my door. I scrambled up from the floor and looked around quickly. I couldn’t let the fox be seen. I’d be kicked out after my first day.
    “Quick.” I hissed, “Get in the bag!” I opened my bag and ushered the fox inside, who looked at me curiously but obliged. I quickly put the bag under my bed then straightened up.
    “Come in.” I called to whoever was knocking.
    Jack popped his head in, “Hello.” He smiled before letting himself in completely, “Ready for that tour then?” He asked.
    I cleared my throat nervously, “Sure, um, just wait for me in the hall, would you?” I tried to sound casual, though Jack looked at me suspiciously when I forced a smile.
    “Okay. Just don’t keep me waiting.” He said with raised eyebrows as he closed the door behind him.
    Cursing, I dived under the bed and pulled the bag open. A ball of white fur peered at me timidly.
    “Please stay quiet and hidden while I’m gone.” I begged, “Don’t let anyone see