[center][u][b][h2][color=F4A460]Savannah[/color][/h2][/b][/u] - [i]Pennsylvania, one mile from Wolves camp[/i][/center][hr][color=DCDCDC]
Soft, nearly inaudible, crunching of leaves filled the crisp autumn air of Pennsylvania. A young female clad in black with her hair in a ponytail approached a cave. Most people avoided these now; they were usually filled with mutated animals ready to rip someone's throat out. This one, however, was inhabited by her best friend: a mutated fox named Pepper. He was the size of a Great Dane with the agility of a fox and strength of a wolf. He had come to her in her time of need and she had never stopped repaying him her gratitude. With a bloody spear in hand and a grin on her face, she entered the cave. She glanced over at the greenery behind her and was thankful for their cover. It provided an ominous setting at night which kept any trespassers at bay.[/color]

[color=DCDCDC]It wasn't much, but it was home. She had a sleeping bag she often shared with him, her backpack, weaponry, a shredded but usable pillow, blanket and even some lanterns. She had become accustomed to the dark, though she relied on her hearing rather than eyesight. She had another bag filled with the few clothing items she possessed. She also had a makeshift clothing line hanging near the back for when she washed her clothes. She had an assorted amount of trinkets - bracelets, necklaces, all hand made and also on her own. Craft making wasn't her specialty. She had been hoping to scavenge more so she could sell it and in turn buy more food rather than stealing.[/color] 

[color=F4A460][b]"Pepper, I found food!"[/b][/color][color=DCDCDC] Savannah called as she slipped the backpack off. She twirled the spear and set it up against the wall to clean later. She tore off her black gloves and set them nearby the spear. A pair of bright yellow eyes greeted her as she approached the end of the cave.[/color] [color=F4A460][b]"I even got your fav, bud. C'mere."[/b][/color] [color=DCDCDC]Pepper yawned as he approached her and watched as she emptied the backpack. She could tell by his dazed expression he had been napping. The poor baby had been up all night protecting her, she realized. It had made her feel guilty and determined to find him food.[/color] [color=F4A460][b]"I got you berries! A whole back of them, Pep. Can you believe it?"[/b][/color] [color=DCDCDC]She smiled as the fox sniffed the contents and nodded his appreciation. She pulled more items out of her bag, thrown together unceremoniously. She had tied the dead animals into a separate bag  though, knowing better than to mix that together with the fresh food.[/color]

[color=F4A460][b]"And I even found you some vegetables. You need those,"[/b][/color] [color=DCDCDC]She smirked at his upturned nose and laughed.[/color] [color=F4A460][b]"You need your vitamins. It's tough living out here, Pep. Do you know how many people and animals don't have veggies?"[/b][/color] 

[color=DCDCDC]She sighed as he scowled and narrowed his eyes.[/color] [color=F4A460][b][b]"Okay. Fine. I got you a squirrel, one rabbit and even eggs. Can you imagine? Eggs! When's the last time we had that, bud?"[/b][/b][/color] [color=DCDCDC]She reached over and began to stroke his head and he licked her face. She laughed as she set the contents back except for the berries.[/color] [color=F4A460][b]"I'll cook all of this later. We can eat the berries but remember to ration, okay? I can't keep stealing too much at once."[/b][/color]

[color=DCDCDC]Savannah smirked to herself. She had been stealing from the Wolves' supply and food for two months. She had been aware they were near her camp but hadn't realized their close proximity. After nearly starving to death the previous summer, Savannah had decided to risk her neck and steal from them. The first few attempts, she had been terrified she would be caught and killed while her fox starved and never knew she she hadn't returned. As the months passed by, her nerves settled into confidence. It had turned into into an unpredictable schedule of her stealing more food. Thanks to her enhanced hearing, Savannah had began to recognize their guard order and who was Normal and mutated. She knew the regular humans who hadn't mutated were easier to steal on. Savannah secretly hoped they'd start a civil war one one another trying to locate the thief.[/color] 

[color=DCDCDC]Savannah and Pepper had both began to gain weight and muscle mass, eventually becoming healthy. Despite her efforts, they were still underweight. She knew it would take time, but it was starting to irritate her. Savannah glanced at him as she fed him berries form her hand then brushed off her worry. It wouldn't do her any good. After she finished feeding him, she cleaned off her hands with sanitizer (she had stolen it form the Wolves) and then fed herself. She loved finding vegetables - pumpkins, squash and carrots were some of her favorites. She relished finding vegetables that hadn't rotted. It was rare.[/color]

[color=DCDCDC]When she finished eating, she stuffed everything back into her supply bag and looked at her spear. She sighed as she stood up and looked at Pepper.[/color] [color=F4A460][b]"I'm going to go clean this. You rest up and later I'll cook us some squirrel. Sweet dreams, Pep."[/b][/color] [color=DCDCDC]She kissed his head and he returned the favor by licking her face again. She smiled at him, grabbed her spear, and headed out to the river. It wasn't too far. Savannah had only been slightly shocked that the cave hadn't been taken. It was close to the Wolves yet far enough; it was near the town where she'd steal and buy food as well. The river wasn't as polluted as the others and was clearer than most. She was delighted to have found it. The crowded trees nearby shrouded it in darkness and at night, it was ominous. Savannah smiled and tightened her ponytail and went over to the river and began cleaning off her bloody spear.[/color]