Tornado

This is the third official book in **Animal Books**. Amber is the main character, but Dawn is the main protagaonist.

## Chapter 1

Dawn crouched low to the ground, eyeing the elk cautiously. She couldn't mess this up. Most of the easy prey was back in their dens or somewhere cooler, as Summer was making the prey run away. *And this is the only prey we've found in days,* Dawn reminded herself, the painful echoes of Dead's growling belly in her head.

Rearing up on her back legs, Dawn pounced. The elk staggered and lost balance as Dawn landed on its back. Her prey yelped in pain as the jaguar dug her teeth into its neck.

The elk collapsed on the ground, dead. Dawn started dragging it back to the den where her friends where. Deer squealed happily when he spotted the elk. As the seven friends settled down to eat, Alger spoke. *"*We need to get to Death Lake now,*"* Amber groaned dramatically. *"*Hummingbirds live there. There so rude...*"* She squawked. *"*But were on a quest,*"* Insisted Deer. *"*It'll be fun!*"* Dawn gulped down the last of her share. They kept eating until there was nothing but bone.

*"*Lets move,*"* Said Dawn, beckoning the group with her tail.

The dogs and dinosaurs moved fast, while Amber and Alger brought up the rear. As they trotted through the undergrowth, Dawn saw a shining lake. *Death lake.* She guessed, seeing how the lake was brown as if it was filled of poison. *It probably* is*.*

When they got out of the pine forest, Dawn saw how big the lake was. There were tall hills surrounding the lake, and an open area that let the lake mix with the blue ocean water. Dawn noticed a trail behond the hills, and she guessed that would lead to Sand Mountains, a volcano where remaining dinosaurs lived. For now, the group had to rest.

*"*Come on.*"* The mew from Alger snapped Dawn back to reality.

*"*Lets go find some place to stay.*"*

Dawn nodded slowly, and started padding forward with Alger. She looked over her shoulder to check if everyone else was behind. Amber was walking beside the dogs and dinosaurs who looked to exhausted to play with her. Dart sniffed a clumb of wild grass, then leapt back, startled as a ladybug stuck its head out.

The jaguar purred in amusement, then turned her head back to the lake. She followed Alger's gaze. The tiger was looking at the two largest caves in the hills; a big, dark one with a creepy vibe to it and stalacites growing off it, and a smaller one where the sun landed, lighting up the cave. It was a bit close to the lake, but better than getting impaled by a rock.

Dawn bounded up to Alger. *"*Uh. Which cave do you want?*"* She asked. It felt like Alger was barely even there anymore. *"*I guess the small one.*"* He muttered, flicking his tail. Dawn nodded. *"*Ok... I'll tell th-*"*

Alger turned to Dawn. His eyes lit with anger. *"*You know, just because your the special chosen one, doesn't mean your the boss of the entire group. *I'll* go tell them.*"*

Dawn flinched. Her green eyes clouded with hurt. *"*Of... of course.*"* She murmered. Alger brushed past, and murmered some hushed words to the others. Dawn's ears flattened. The only time she'd been given that time of comment was from her family before she left on her quest. Now it came from Alger too? *Maybe I deserved it...* She thought.

After a moment, Amber flew up to her until the hummingbird was at her ear. *"*Hey, Dawn,*"* She murmered into Dawn's ear. *"*I'm sure Alger doesn't mean what he says. He's been through a lot in the past, and this quest and all of this drama with his family and other tigers had been a lot on him. I know your trying your best. And Alger is a kind and funny tiger. But, this isn't meant to be offensive, he needs his alone time. Don't talk to him for a while. I think he needs some quiet time.*"*

Dawn gazed at the sympathy in Amber's soft gaze. She suddenly didn't feel as self-conscious of herself anymore. *"*Okay, Amber.*"* Dawn purred. She smiled. *"*Thank you.*"*

## Chapter 2

Dawn leapt onto a loose rock, then quickly jumped onto a stronger one when it crumbled. She dug her claws into the hard surface, and grunted, teeth gripping Dart's scruff gently. She reared up on her hind legs, and, when she was ready, leapt onto the small cliff. She headed towards the sun-lit cave where Alger was, scribbling something in the dirt while Dead and Deer gazed at it intently.

Amber was helping Dash scurry up the rocks, and they eventually flopped down, exhausted, on the cliff.

Dawn purred in amusement. Ever since Amber had talked to her, they seemed to have grown more and more attached by the day.

wip