Chapter 3: At the Edges of the Territory

    It was early morning the seguinte day, and everyone was up and getting ready to go on their journey.
    "You don't have to do this, you know," Kate said to Humphrey as they were about to leave.
    "Yes, I do, Kate. I have to do this," Humphrey said. "I have to know the truth."
    "Okay," she said. "I'm with you either way."
    It was around this time that Garth and Lilly arrived at the den.
    "We're ready," Garth said.
    "As are we," Marcel said as he and Paddy arrived.
    "Good," Humphrey said. "Now all we need is Daria."
    "I'm here," Daria said as she came in.
    "Okay. Let's go," Humphrey said as everyone walked out of the antro, den where Winston was talking with Cando and Hutch. As the group approaches, Winston turned around to address them.
    "Are you ready?" he asked.
    "We're ready," Humphrey said.
    "Good. Cando and Hutch will only be able to take you to the edge of the territory where they found you. We need them here, in case the Rouge lobos decide to attack again," Winston explained. "Good luck."
    The group began to head off, but before they started heading down into the valley, Winston called after Humphrey.
    "Humphrey."
    Humphrey turned around and looked back at Winston.
    "I hope you find what you're looking for."
    After thinking about this for a little bit, Humphrey turned and went to catch up to the group. They continued to walk slowly though the territory, and as they were about to reach the edge, Kate turned to Humphrey.
    "So, your parents," she said cautiously, knowing how touchy a subject this was for him. "Do you really think they're alive?"
    "Kate," Humphrey said. "I have to believe that they are. If I don't then," he paused for a segundo before continuing. "I have nothing."
    Kate looked over at him. "You have me," she said.
    "Thanks," he replied.
    By that time, the group had arrived at a particularly woody part of the forest. It was also very foggy and a bit chilly, too. This was where Humphrey was brought into the pack nearly twenty years ago. Humphrey looked around as he began to remember that day.
    "Well," Hutch said. "Here we are."
    "This is all the farther we can go," Cando said.
    "Good luck Humphrey," Hutch said before they turned and started heading back into the territory.
    After Cando and Hutch had disappeared out of sight, Kate walked over to Humphrey who was still standing and looking around.
    "Humphrey?" she asked. "Are you okay?"
    "I remember this place now," he said after a while. "Vividly, but I remember it."
    Everyone turned to look at Humphrey who was now pacing the forest floor and looking up at the trees as he spoke.
    "I remember it was cold and I was really hungry because I hadn't eaten in a while. It was foggy, and I couldn't see much. Then I saw two figures through the fog and I ran to them. I was just so happy to finally see another lobo again."
    Humphrey stopped pacing and looking up at the trees. Now, his gaze was fixed directly in front of him.
    "They took me to Winston," he said, then turned his head to look at Kate. "And then I met you."
    "Come on," she said. "Let's go."
    And as the morning wore on, the group departed on their journey to find Humphrey's parents.