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Literature Text
Twelve of us left.
Once there were so many the cove was thick with interesting - sometimes frightening - scents and sounds. Only four days ago I happily rolled in smelly dead things.
Once there were so many the cove was thick with interesting - sometimes frightening - scents and sounds. Only four days ago I happily rolled in smelly dead things.
I notice the absence of the giant wolf - even that depresses me. She and Iva shared some fish.
Dead, gone, eaten…who knows what's happened to the rest?
Dead, gone, eaten…who knows what's happened to the rest?
My breath catches in my throat as I remember the griffon's rage-filled eyes. Shiruba's utter blank disbelief. Simone's bloody corpse in my mouth.
Keike sinking into the quicksand, his life gushing out as I failed-
No. I…I can't let grief consume me. Even if I can't justify what I've done, I can't keep dwelling on it.
Keike sinking into the quicksand, his life gushing out as I failed-
No. I…I can't let grief consume me. Even if I can't justify what I've done, I can't keep dwelling on it.
Focusing on catching the jackalope might help with that.
Iva's voice is gentle for once, chiding me lightly. She may not share my turmoil at killing other creatures, but at least she's trying to understand.
I shiver - the days may be warm but the nights are still cold. Senses finally leads us to the entrance and I feel the lack of a tail keenly; it would be between my legs right now.
Iva's voice is gentle for once, chiding me lightly. She may not share my turmoil at killing other creatures, but at least she's trying to understand.
I shiver - the days may be warm but the nights are still cold. Senses finally leads us to the entrance and I feel the lack of a tail keenly; it would be between my legs right now.
I can feel individual blades of grass poke at all my paws except the stone-covered one - that one is still numb, still heavy. Despite having lapped some dew to wash my mouth, I can still taste the remnants of the prey I caught yesterday. The breathing of the other competitors becomes louder - I hear every wheeze of my lungs and feel every rapid beat of my heart course through me.
Worst of all are the smells.
Mercifully, we spread out quickly - I myself am padding forward as fast I can with the stone on me and the uncomfortable grass - but I still have to breathe and take in their now-sickening odors. I smell the traces of every meal they've had and even pinpoint likely locations of plant and dirt shreds entangled in their claws. I begin to hyperventilate - how will I deal with this? How? It's impossible! I can barely walk straight, let alone catch a blinking jackalope!
Avi...
This is barking mad! I'm going to suffocate oh god I'm going to-
AVI!
...Iva?
No, your uncle's left testicle. Breathe through your mouth, dumbass.
I do, but the odors still invade my nose. At least I have something else to focus on.
Remembered not to piss yourself? Let's try to find water. We've got nothing but time. And jackalopes.
Water?
For your nose, smart one. If you soak it, even if it starts running it'll block out the scents somewhat. Do I have to do everything around here?
I ignore her now, though she does have a good point.
I begin walking again, still breathing through my mouth and trying to use my enhanced senses to taste some water vapor. I also keep an eye out - it's night, any puddle will glow like the moon even through this blasted grass.
Iva was silent, no longer voicing the troubling thoughts running through her mind . Such as the very possible idea that this was Round 3, and someone else out there was hunting the jackalope as well.
Worst of all are the smells.
Mercifully, we spread out quickly - I myself am padding forward as fast I can with the stone on me and the uncomfortable grass - but I still have to breathe and take in their now-sickening odors. I smell the traces of every meal they've had and even pinpoint likely locations of plant and dirt shreds entangled in their claws. I begin to hyperventilate - how will I deal with this? How? It's impossible! I can barely walk straight, let alone catch a blinking jackalope!
Avi...
This is barking mad! I'm going to suffocate oh god I'm going to-
AVI!
...Iva?
No, your uncle's left testicle. Breathe through your mouth, dumbass.
I do, but the odors still invade my nose. At least I have something else to focus on.
Remembered not to piss yourself? Let's try to find water. We've got nothing but time. And jackalopes.
Water?
For your nose, smart one. If you soak it, even if it starts running it'll block out the scents somewhat. Do I have to do everything around here?
I ignore her now, though she does have a good point.
I begin walking again, still breathing through my mouth and trying to use my enhanced senses to taste some water vapor. I also keep an eye out - it's night, any puddle will glow like the moon even through this blasted grass.
Iva was silent, no longer voicing the troubling thoughts running through her mind . Such as the very possible idea that this was Round 3, and someone else out there was hunting the jackalope as well.
Comments6
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Iva, Matari, and Lyncus having a threeway snark off.
Dear god who would win....
Dear god who would win....