Sheba

CHAPTER TWO THE DARING ESCAPE Sheba hit the iced packed road and skidded into a snow bank. she lay still so the man would not notice her. She watched as he drove down the road and out of sight. Sheba perked up her pointed ears, listening, until the truck engine was a distant hum. Only then did she become aware of her body and began checking for injuries. Her back felt stiff from the fall, but did not feel broken. Her jet black fur was covered in snow. Her chin felt tender, but her teeth did not feel loose. Sheba winced in pain each time she drew a breath. She saw some cuts and scrapes on her legs and on her chest. The caramel color of her chest looked crimson because of the blood. The snow began to fall harder now and the wind started to blow. Sheba shivered as the wind whipped through her fur. Sheba thought, I'll freeze to death if I do not find shelter for the night. Her injuries also made her more vulnerable. Hungry wild animals sometimes came down off the mountain in search of food during the winter months. Sheba pushed her body into a standing position. She yelped as she put her full weight on her legs. Her back paw had been injured too. Sheba put some pressure on the paw and realized she could not go far. Sheba felt the heavy wet snow covering her fur. She decided to dig a hole in the snow bank for the night. Sheba dug through the crusty top layer of snow. At first, her paws made only scratches on the surface. Then, she began feeling the soft snow underneath. Sheba was almost blown over by the wind as she struggled to find good footing on the ice. Finally, she finsihed her snow den. If I can live through this snow storm, Sheba thought, I have a chance. Sheba crawled into the hole. As she did, she heard the low rumble of the truck coming back down the road. Oh no, thought Sheba. He's coming back to get me. Sheba stayed curled up as far back in the hole as possible. She could feel the earth shake as the truck rolled past her den. It slowed down as it passed her and Sheba held her breath as the truck went on by. She didn't relax until the sound of the truck was completely gone. Sheba closed her eyes, hoping to be alive in the morning to open them.