Azulina

Another quarrel with Coco. Another attempt to prove something, again to no avail. Azulina wiped away the tears with the back of her paw, but they treacherously continued to flow. A tight lump in his throat made it difficult to breathe, and his chest was clenched with resentment. She rushed out of the barracks without looking back and ran into the darkness, where she could hide. The camp had a life of its own—voices could be heard somewhere, tents creaked, a campfire crackled. But she didn't care. When she reached a small grove of trees behind the tents, she collapsed to the ground, hugging her knees with her hands, and hid her face. "I just want to be the best..." *she whispered, sobbing, clutching herself tighter.**But at that moment, footsteps were heard. The crunch of the half—dried grass made Azulina shudder and she turned around * "Who's there?..."