Frozen Rain

“Anything else?”, asked Red, towering above him.

“No.”, answered Yellow as he twiddled his toes.

“Well we’re done with it. That’s another three raptors lost. If the river fins and the snakes can’t kill it, we definitely can’t. On the plus side it sounds like you lead a good run up until the end. Do you know where you went wrong?”, asked Red.

“Yes, we should have waited outside the cave.”, answered Green Runner.

“And?”, snarled Red.

“I shouldn’t have made a promise I couldn’t keep.”, answered Yellow, scratching his neck.

“Right. Well while your group was gone, we managed to subjugate five other nests, so I’m in a good mood.”, said Red.

“Five?”, Yellow blurted out.

“Yes, your dirt and swarm tactics helped a lot. I also don’t know if anyone else could have carried out your plan better, all things considered. So, there will be no punishment this time. We’ll just look at this like training, seeing as you never got any Yellow. However, one, Green Runner you can’t drop everything to mate. The groups survival comes first on a run. Two, Yellow you need to apologize to little Grey for getting his friends killed and tell him to come pick out a mate. We just happened to come across a few shadows on our travels today and while they’re too small for most of the hunters here, I think they would be a perfect size for him. Just tell him to find Brown, she’ll know where they are.”, said Red.

“Yes, I will right now, but I was hoping I could talk to you alone for a moment.”, said Yellow.

“Alright, Green Runner wait outside for a moment.”, said Red.

Yellow avoided Green Runner’s attempt at eye contact as she left the inside of the large, dead tree that was Red’s nest.

“Well?”, asked Red.

“The prey from the last feast have been using these new tools. These black boxes they hold. When I held one, I heard them.”, explained Yellow.

“Heard them?”, asked Red.

“It spoke their words in our tongue. They were pleading for help, and the flying one declared she was entering the cave when she attacked us.”, said Yellow.

“I see, so that’s how the shiny has such a diverse group. They usually only stick with their own kind when they survive for a few days.”, said Red.

“Well it made me think, if we can talk to them.”, Yellow was cut off.

“Not a chance.”, said Red.

“We’ve never attempted something like this before.”, argued Yellow.

“I’ve already told you, if we don’t kill them, they kill us. Even if they didn’t, if we don’t eat them, we’ll run out of food. That’s true now more than ever as winter approaches and we try to build your grand nest.”, said Red.

“But they’re already living together, why can’t they join us?”, asked Yellow.

“For one thing we’ve attacked them repeatedly. Yellow I promise nothing you say or do will prevent them from killing you if they get the chance. It’s the main reason we kill them in the first place. Moreover, we need the food. Without them we wouldn’t be able to sustain ourselves here during the winter, perhaps even in the summer with our population growth. Now, promise me you won’t try to reason with them.”, said Red.

Yellow sighed and said, “You’re right as always. I promise I won’t try that.”

“Thank you Yellow, and I’ll have you know your pretty smart. Sometimes you just take things too far that’s all. Now, you’re dismissed but be ready to go on a run with us tomorrow, we’ve still got a forest to tame. Cloudy come on in.”, said Red before a light blue raptor with white patches came into his nest.

Green Runner nodded to her as she entered the massive tree stump and Yellow exited into the crowded nesting grounds.

“I’ve been waiting for this all day.”, Red’s voice trailed out into the forest.

Busy gatherers shuffled past them as Yellow and Green Runner went about looking for Grey in the crowded nesting grounds.

“Anything I should worry about?”, she asked.

“Oh no, it was nothing. Um, you know her?”, asked Yellow.

“Yep, she was in my old nest. We were friends as hatchlings, but we haven’t spoken since I became a hunter. Solely because we’ve been too busy of course.”, she explained.

“I guess she’s one of his mates now.”, he said.

“I guess so.”, she said, her eyes scanning the crowd.

“Do you still want to? You know, once we’re done with this?”, he asked.

“I’m not really in the mood anymore after that scolding.”, she said with a laugh.

“She likes it when you take command remember?”, he thought.

“Well I’ll definitely want to before tomorrow.”, said Yellow, looking away.

“Oh, well, we’ll see.”, she said.

“She didn’t sound the same this time. Is she mad at me? No, she’s just being coy.”, he thought.

“We shall.”, he said, making eye contact this time.

She stared at him for a moment before laughing.

“You really are funny, you know that?”, she asked.

“Um, thanks.”, he said.

“Look, here he is.”, she said.

They had made it to the edge of the nesting grounds and found a small nest that Grey was carefully piecing together.

“Hey there little man.”, said Green Runner.

Grey immediately tripped with the bundle of twigs he was carrying, before looking up to her.

“Oh, didn’t think you two lived near the edge. Um, how goes things?”, he asked.

“We don’t, and everything is going well. We just came looking for you. Red told us he had several mate options for you, if you’re still interested.”, she said.

“Really? Yes of course. I was beginning to worry they only subjugated the larger raptors today and that I would have to wait. Oh, not that I would mind of course.”, Grey said.

“Well they apparently found several stray shadows that joined upon invitation.”, said Yellow.

“Shadows? Don’t they usually only mate with their own?”, asked Grey.

“Well we’re building a grand nest that everyone can live in together, so interbreeding will probably become the new normal.”, said Yellow.

“I see, well if they’ll take me it doesn’t bother me.”, said Grey.

“Alright we’ll help you find Brown, she knows where everyone is.”, said Yellow.

“Do keep up Grey, apparently me and Yellow are going to have a busy twilight.”, said Green Runner into Yellow’s ear.

“Um, right.”, said Yellow in a cracked voice.

. . .

Justin and Morcant carefully dragged Yujark’s body out of the sled and into the grave Churburret had dug. They had wrapped him in a blanket Taysass had sown from most of the cloth they had gathered the day before. Tacktay hovered above the group, keeping watch. They climbed out of the hole and waited for Churburret to return from his parent’s graves. He slowly skittered to them and filled the grave with dirt before they patted down the loose soil. Taysass placed petals from the white flowers at spawn hill and held Justin as they sat down with Churburret, and Morcant planted a seed at the head of the grave. Leaves tumbling in the wind caught on the loose soil and swayed with the flower.

“You miss yours too?”, asked Taysass.

“Deeply, it’s so lonely inside my head.”, said Churburret.

“Sorry Churbet, we can keep each other company at least.”, said Taysass.

A silence fell over the group as the wind battered the canopy.

“We cleared out this area for a graveyard, but I was really hoping we wouldn’t have to fill it.”, thought Justin.

“Does anyone want to say anything? I’m sad to say I don’t really know what Yujark believed in.”, said Morcant.

“Didn’t he say something about the spirits guiding people back to where they belonged yesterday?”, asked Churburret.

“Your right Churbet, Justin would you mind doing it?”, asked Morcant.

“No one goes anywhere Morcant. Everyone is either in stasis or placed elsewhere by Tutelarius.”, said Justin, squinting at the sky.

“Well, you don’t know that for sure.”, said Morcant.

“But I do. It’s the logical thing to do. Throwing everyone away would be a waste.”, said Justin.

Morcant walked over and kneeled down to him.

“It’s about respecting our friend”, he said.

“Well, go ahead. I honestly don’t have a clue what to say right now. I want to keep all of you alive, and I want to find the spaceport, so I can conquer the world and bring him back, but I don’t know how to find it.”, said Justin.

“Are you going to go looking for it?”, asked Churburret, moving his stalk to Justin’s face.

“No Churbet. I won’t leave ya’ll here, I promise.”, Justin said.

“He was so kind and gentle. I just wish I could have met him sooner. I wish I could have known him forever.”, Taysass whimpered as she began to cry.

Justin rested her head on him and held her while saying, “Mm, me to.”

Morcant turned to the grave and held his head down as Yujark did previously.

“Oh, great spirits, please lead this wayward soul home, and send him our thanks.”, said Morcant.

“How was that?”, he asked, turning back to them with teary eyes.

“Great bud.”, said Justin.

The wind swept up the leaves and flower petals, carrying them beyond the canopy, out of sight.

. . .

Justin and the others made it back to the cave as the evening twilight began on the third day. Some of their drying meat had been stolen by wild animals, leaving them with only enough for two days. Their water was untouched, but they only had enough for a few days after Morcant used several jars to clean himself. Justin had used the dirty water to clean up somewhat but was still stained blood red. Taysass began cooking dinner, knowing everyone should eat despite them not being hungry, while Justin and Morcant worked on a fence of spiked wood to surround the cave.

Tacktay helped Churburret begin work on the archway above the cave, after he convinced Justin that the fumes wouldn’t enter the cave and therefore, they could still flee inside if need be. He also mentioned that it would take a while to construct, due to the rock needing to dry before adding new layers. Aside from this a long silence had griped the group since the burial as they worked for hours.

“I never did tell you what I was doing with Bran and Finn.”, Morcant said as they hammered the stakes into the ground.

“I guess we haven’t really talked much about ourselves, even though we described our people and worlds to each other in detail. Well shoot, I’d love to hear it. Tell me something and I’ll do the same.”, said Justin, pushing a stake into the ground in a single move.

“We were all avoiding the draft together, heading out into the untamed country to start our lives elsewhere and change our names.”, laughed Morcant.

“Wow, that’s quite a big decision to make. No wonder you said they were your only family now. Did you guys have a good reason?”, asked Justin.

Morcant stopped working as he said, “Yea we did. The king thinks he can just come into the colonies and uproot people from their homes to fight in some war overseas for no other reason than to line his pockets. Honestly, I thought you were going to immediately, eh, be like everyone else.”

“You thought I’d shame you? I try not to do that unless I think it’s absolutely necessary, or as retaliation. It would be silly of me to assume whatever war you were drafted into was just, considering the statistics from my world. So, your family disowned you or did you sneak away in the night?”, asked Justin as he continued working.

“Well I was stupid, and I told them. My father was furious and told me to leave, but my sister tried to stop me. She was always trying to help me, but I just couldn’t involve her in that. Anyway, tell me something about you.”, said Morcant as he began working again.

“Not much to say, I live with my folks solely to save money, I work at a restaurant full time, and I spend my free time playing games with my friends. Oh, I have a few hobbies of course, but nothing I’m really passionate about.”, said Justin.

“I see, well you said you were an adult, are you looking for marriage?”, asked Morcant.

Justin scratched his head and said, “Um, well actually.”, before being cut off.

“Dinner is ready everyone.”, yelled Taysass.

“Oh, great I’m starved.”, said Justin, dropping the conversation.

“I thought you weren’t eating though.”, said Morcant as they walked to the cave.

“Eh, so there is someone.”, he said, poking at Justin.

Justin stopped and squinted before saying, “No, definitely not.”

“Eh, okay then.”, said Morcant.

“I hope everyone is hungry.”, said Taysass as she passed wooden plates to everyone as they sat down at the firepit.

“I’m starved.”, said Tacktay as she devoured her food.

“I’m really not hungry.”, said Churburret.

“Now Churbet you know you need to eat.”, said Taysass.

“You’re not my mother.”, snapped Churburret.

“That’s out of character. I guess he’s upset, I wish I could tell better, but he doesn’t have a face. I always just watch for his stalk height and tilt. Perhaps I should watch for more.”, thought Justin.

“Churbet, what do you think she would say right now?”, asked Taysass in a quiet, calm tone.

“I don’t know, I can’t hear them, I can’t hear anyone. How do you people live like this?”, asked Churburret as he dropped his stalk beneath his front legs and shook.

“Oh Churbet.”, said Taysass as she walked over and hugged him.

Churburret stopped shaking and looked up to Taysass.

“You must be so lonely, no one’s really touched you since we arrived. This is how we connect and love each other Churbet, through hugs. Would you like to touch my baby?”, she asked.

Churburret placed a foot on Taysass’es belly and flinched.

“It moved.”, he said, quickly glancing to everyone.

“It does that, yes.”, said Taysass as she and the group laughed.

“Do you feel a little better now?”, she asked.

“Yes, I feel much closer to you. This is nice.”, answered Churburret.

“Then could you help keep me warm tonight Churbet? Me and the baby are lonely too.”, she asked.

“Like Yujark did?”, he asked.

“Yep.”, she said.

“Sure, I’d love to.”, he said.

“Thanks, Churbet. If you’d like I can hold your leg while we eat. You need to eat though, okay?”, she asked.

“Thank you. This is much better.”, he said as he began to eat.

“You’re gunna make a great mother Taysass.”, said Morcant.

“Thanks, I just hope we can all make it that long.”, she said.

“Eh, you doubting our shiny hero over here?”, asked Morcant with a grin.

“That reminds me, I have something to tell ya’ll.”, said Justin.

“Oh boy here we go.”, said Morcant with a mouth full of food.

“I am putting my foot down when it comes to our safety. Tomorrow I am going hunting, and on a water run. All of you will stay here and work on the archway. If something attacks just hide inside and wait for me, do not fight it. Is that okay with everyone?”, asked Justin, squinting at the group.

“Yea I guess I can’t argue with you anymore, this place truly sucks.”, said Morcant as the group nodded.

“But on one condition.”, he said.

“What?”, asked Justin.

“Promise you’ll come back, that you won’t leave us here. Not trying to knock on you, I’m just, eh.”, Morcant was cut short.

“Morcant, everyone, I swear I won’t go searching for the spaceport until all of you are absolutely safe.”, said Justin.

“Thanks.”, said Morcant while scratching the back of his ear.

Justin and Morcant continued working until nightfall and finished the fence, while the group slept inside the cave. Justin realized a full day had passed since he set his watch, and upon checking it, found that thirty hours had passed.

. . .

Emotion opened his eyes to see he was floating in a white void. A sea of faceless red bodies floated all around him. He tried to breathe but wasn’t met with air or water, only emptiness.

“Why didn’t you save us?”, a cacophony of voices cried out.

“I’m sorry, please, I tried.”, whimpered Emotion.

“You didn’t even try to save all of us.”, the voices echoed.

“There was no time, I saved who I could.”, pleaded Emotion.

“Why didn’t you save me? I wasn’t ready to die.”, said Bran’s cut up corpse as he floated past him.

“I’m sorry. They were too fast, I didn’t expect them.”, said Emotion.

“Why does everyone hate me? I’m so bored, I’m so lonely.”, cried a child.

“Little me?”, asked Emotion.

The child stopped crying and turned to him. He looked down on him, squinting, with a crooked smile.

“He died remember? I replaced him.”, said Logic in his younger body.

“Or so I thought. You stayed hidden away, slowly eroding at my control until you took me over by surprise. You think of yourself as the real me, but where have you gotten us?”, Logic yelled at him.

“Logic, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”, Emotion was cut off.

“It’s alright. I’m not mad at you, that’s your job. I’m just mad at the whole world that’s all.”, interrupted Logic with a sigh.

“Justin?”, called out a voice.

The pair looked around the sea of wailing bodies and found Yujark drifting towards them.

“Yujark!”, Emotion called out to him.

“Don’t Emotion. We need to move on, you can’t stay here.”, said Logic.

“I won’t leave him.”, said Emotion as Yujark drifted towards him.

“Justin.”, whispered Yujark.

“I’m here Yujark.”, said Emotion as he reached him.

Yujark’s body turned to reveal his innards leaking out into the void. His face and body were rotting, filled with maggots and worms.

“Why didn’t you save me Justin? I had a family. You said you would save me.”, said Yujark’s corpse.

“I’m sorry Yujark. I wasn’t fast enough. I’m so useless.”, whined Emotion.

“Emotion we can’t dwell here. This is no different from what we were doing before.”, pleaded Logic.

“Why didn’t you save us? They ate us.”, the corpses echoed throughout the void.

“Justin, do you have any idea what it’s like to be torn open?”, asked Yujark as he opened his massive mouth.

“Yujark, stop it.”, pleaded Emotion as Yujark grabbed him.

“Emotion if we don’t get back on the same page soon.”, said Logic.

Yujark bit down on Emotion’s hapless body and tore into his chest. He wailed out in agony as the cold teeth pierced into him and his ribs cracked. The other corpses moved in with their mouths open, ready to take a bite of their own.

“We’re going to split in two.”, said Logic as Emotion was torn in half.

. . .

Justin woke up screaming and convulsing on the cave floor as Morcant tried to hold him down. Justin calmed down when he saw him and felt his own chest was still intact. His head fell to the floor as he tried to catch his breath.

“I guess these things skip a day huh?”, asked Morcant.

“Jesus H. Christ.”, panted Justin.

“Eh, you okay bud?”, asked Morcant.

“Yea, I think I’m good now.”, said Mathew.

“It’s really cold today, so everyone is working by the firepit outside and helping Churbet with the archway. It’s cloudy, but they don’t look like rain clouds to me.”, said Morcant.

“I see, I don’t know if it’s not cold to me or if I can’t fell cold anymore. You bring up a good point though. If there’s a cave-in due to rain, we should have a backup shelter. I think a tree house would be best.”, said Justin.

“Hm, we would be hard to catch in those huge trees, but aren’t you going hunting today?”, asked Morcant.

“Yea, we’ll work on it another time. What time is it?”, asked Justin, glancing at his watch.

“The twilight is ending soon.”, said Morcant.

“I see, so the night is six hours and each twilight is three. With a thirty-hour day that makes the day time eighteen hours.”, explained Justin as he read his watch.

“The days here are extremely long. Eh, I’m sad to say think I need to start taking naps around lunch.”, said Morcant.

“There’s no shame in that bud. You’re on a different sleep cycle than everyone else. Tacktay naps every day.”, laughed Justin.

“I guess you’re right.”, laughed Morcant.

“Alright well I’m going to go hunting now. I’ll leave you my rifle so ya’ll have extra ammo in case of an attack. I won’t need it anyway.”, said Justin as he stood up.

“Mm just leave everything to me. I’ll keep everyone safe this time.”, said Morcant with a smile.

“I’m sure you will, but I’ll try to hurry.”, said Justin.

The duo went outside and was met with Taysass hugging Justin.

“Good luck today, please hurry back.”, she said.

“Mm, you can count on me.”, said Justin.

Taysass released her arms so he could wave at Tacktay and Churburret who were working on the archway above them. He exchanged a thumbs up with Morcant as he began walking towards spawn hill.

“You know there aren’t many herbivores here, they’ve already migrated south. The predators live off the spawn point.”, thought Logic.

“Mm, I know because you know.”, thought Emotion.

“So, you’re listening to me this time?”, Logic asked.

“Yep, for now we’re on the same page again.”, thought Emotion.

“Good to hear.”, thought Logic.

“They took from us, and now we’ll take from them.”, thought Justin.

. . .

As the morning twilight reached its end Yellow stood amongst the crowded enemy nest waiting for the showdown to begin. In his pack today, and standing with him, was Green Runner, Grey, and Grey’s new mate, the shadow, Patches. She was a little smaller than Grey, standing at about half Yellow’s size, and her proto feathers were covered in a patchwork of dark and light green. They seemed more like detached scales than feathers to Yellow, especially when they shined and flickered in the light. Unlike Yellow’s kind who hunted down their prey in the daylight, Patches kind, the shadows, hid in the passing light of the twilight. She seemed to be submissive to Grey after just one night together, the complete opposite of Green Runner. Yellow looked over to her to find her smiling at him with her killer grin.

“I can’t wait to see this up close again.”, she said.

“You like fighting Green Runner?”, asked Patches.

She grunted with a nod.

“Even after losing an arm?”, asked Patches.

Yellow froze and instinctively looked away to Grey, who had the same look of fear on his face. Yellow thought he must be thinking the same thing, that if Green Runner was offended by that, there was nothing they could do to save Patches from her wrath. Yellow slowly turned back to Green Runner and was surprised to find her smiling.

“Definitely, it’s my favorite thing to do. Well, I guess it’s my second favorite thing now.”, she said while winking at Yellow.

“I’ve always hated it. So much injury and death just to get a scrap of meat, it really pisses me off. Honestly if Brown hadn’t stopped for me and what was left of my pack, I might have just let myself starve.”, said Patches.

“Mm, I heard you ran into that thing as well. You know Red does want your kind to work during and around the twilight, right?”, asked Green Runner.

“Yes, but I’m hoping that once there’s more of us I can be a nester for Grey.”, said Patches.

“Well, I can’t say I would mind doing that during the winters.”, said Green Runner.

A loud snarl echoed throughout the nest and the enemy raptors began stomping their feet. The crowd parted like a wave to reveal their Alpha and his mate walking towards Red and Brown. As the enemy leaders exited the crowd the stomping ceased, and an eerie silence gripped the atmosphere. The heavy, cold wind slammed into Yellow and he looked to the cloudy sky, wondering if a storm was coming.

“Red, I’ve heard a strange little rumor about your nest recently. Have you come to formally denounce such nonsense?”, asked the enemy Alpha.

“Let’s not waste our time playing games like hatchlings White, you know why I’m here. Submit or die.”, said Red.

“Please, you expect me to let you kill me in my sleep?”, asked White.

“Several of the others surrendered, perhaps they understood what I’m offering. I assure you if you submit that no harm will come to you.”, said Red.

“And where are they now?”, asked White.

“They’re on their own subjection missions. There’s only a few nests left in the forest after all, not counting the shadows and nightwalkers of course.”, said Red.

“You can’t really expect me to believe that, and are you really going to try and take them on as well?”, asked White.

“Some of them have joined us already.”, said Red, guiding the crowds gaze with his own towards Patches.

“Ridiculous, you’re going against the natural order, the way in which we’ve lived for eons.”, said White.

“I’ve come to believe in the words of my good friend, that this world exists for us to tame. That we are the top of the food chain and that working for ourselves, and with each other, we can all live frugally and in peace.”, said Red.

“My words, so he really was listening.”, thought Yellow.

“Unbelievable, you’ve truly embraced the wild ramblings of the lowest among us.”, said White.

“Enough, submit to me and take back those words, or fight!”, snarled Red.

White flashed his teeth and darted towards Red, claws at the ready. Red smiled and slowly walked towards him, his arms at his sides. White slowed down, visibly confused, but continued his attack. Brown, who had moved through the crowd during their talk burst into a run, moving to flank White. He stopped, clearly having heard her snarling and turned to her, mouth agape, dumbfounded that Red wouldn’t follow the rules of an Alpha fight.

Red slashed at him, cutting off his left hand and Brown tackled him, beginning a biting match between them. Red moved in to help when the Alpha’s blue mate suddenly slammed into Brown. They rolled on the dirt for a moment before regaining their footing. Brown shook her head and jumped back, dodging a swipe from the blue raptor’s claws. Red tried to help her again as they began circling each other, but was stopped by White, whom had gotten up and was hissing at Red.

Yellow knew Red trusted Brown and wouldn’t back down from a challenge but was worried for her as Red began circling White. The Blue raptor was larger than her, and looked older too, being covered in battle scars. As Red pushed back White against the crowd, so did the blue raptor push back Brown. For every swipe Red landed on White, Brown failed to land on his mate, and although she was blocking well it was only a matter of time before the blue raptor overpowered her.

Her slashes grew faster and closer to Brown’s throat when she suddenly slashed down at her leg. Brown didn’t have time to react and wailed out in pain as she fell to her knees. A huge gust of wind sent a chill up Yellow’s spine as he watched the blue raptor raise up a killing swing towards his sister. He looked away to his left, too scared to see what would happen next, but noticed Green Runner wasn’t there.

“No wonder the wind is so strong now, where is she?”, thought Yellow in a flash before he heard a mighty growl come from above.

He heard gasps amongst the crowd and followed their gaze upward to see Green Runner falling from a tree branch, claws braced. She landed on the unsuspecting blue raptor with a thud and a cloud of dust rose. It quickly blew away in the wind to reveal Green Runner’s head pinned against the enemy’s neck, her head unable to bite her, as she bit down on one of her arms, and held back her other limbs with her own. Yellow wondered how long they would be stuck like this as they squirmed, when he felt his feet moving on their own. He realized he was walking towards them, claws drawn.

“Just what am I doing? Can I even help? What if the whole nest starts fighting?”, he thought as he neared them.

He stopped as Red bit down on the blue raptors head and tore it to the side. A loud crack rang out and she stopped struggling against Green Runner, becoming entirely still. Red offered his hand to Green Runner as she got up with her one good arm.

“Thank you, I thought I wasn’t going to make it.”, said Red.

“Well it’s like you said. We’re all a team fighting together now, for ourselves, with each other.”, said Green Runner.

“Looks like you even got Yellow riled up. Send him my apologies, will you? Who knows what he’s capable of.”, said Red with a grin while looking at Yellow.

Red tended to Browns wound and Green Runner approached Yellow. She slowly put down his claws with her arm and stared into his eyes.

“Sorry to worry you darling.”, she said.

“Um, it’s alright. I was just moving on my own.”, he said.

“Well, I’m glad to know you’ll come to my rescue. Really takes a load off my shoulders.”, she said.

“Really?”, asked Yellow, looking away in embarrassment.

She grunted and said, “Now I can run blind into danger without a care in the world.”, before sticking out her tongue at him.

“That’s the exact opposite of what I want.”, he thought while shaking his head.

“Alright everyone, listen up.”, Red’s voice rang through the crowd.

“I’m sure you’ve all heard rumors but let me clarify. In our grand nest everyone is treated with respect and given the chance to compete for mates in a non-lethal way. We all work together for a common goal, to not only survive, but thrive. Now if anyone else would like to challenge us come forward.”, Red addressed the enemy nest.

The enemy raptors all fell to their knees and bowed to Red, he smiled.

“Brothers and sisters, rise and rejoice. Now you may all live with us and pursue your own goals as nature intended.”, yelled Red.

The raptors rose and stood in silence for a moment, passing glances to one another. One by one however, they all began to stomp their feet and rejoice in their new-found freedom. Yellow couldn’t contain his pleasure and joined them in stomping after seeing firsthand how he was helping his kind remove the limitations they had imposed upon themselves. He turned back to Green Runner, who was watching him and stopped, embarrassed.

“You don’t need to stop for me, this is your victory, you should celebrate. I didn’t know what to expect from you and your grand nest at first, but it’s grown on me. Honestly Yellow, I think I’ve completely fallen for you.”, she said, staring intently into his eyes.

“A strong loving mate, a forest united under my ideals, I finally have everything I ever wanted.”, thought Yellow with a smile.

“Alright everyone, gather what you can and.”, Red attempted to address the crowd before being cut short by a loud cry.

“Help!”, a voice yelled.

The crowd turned to see a lone red raptor quickly limping towards them.

“No, it’s blue, only its covered in blood, and why is it alone?”, thought Yellow.

“Quickly find White…”, the raptor said when it approached them before letting its voice trail off.

“Who are all of you?”, it asked.

“I am Red, Alpha and leader of the grand nest. Who are you little one?”, asked Red.

The raptor fell to its shaking knees, trembling at Red as if it was seeing a large predator.

“It’s okay Sky, Red challenged our Alpha and won but he doesn’t mean us any harm.”, said a dark blue raptor.

She kneeled to Red before embracing Sky whose teeth were rattling louder than the wind.

“Sky speak to me, what’s wrong? Where are the others?”, asked the raptor.

“They’re all dead. The monster, it killed them. It was so quick, all I could do was run. Hopper, he died for me, it should have been me.”, whimpered Sky.

“Oh Sky.”, said the raptor.

“What monster?”, interrupted Red.

“The thing that came during the last feast. The shiny prey. It’s coming this way I know it! We have to run!”, wailed out Sky.

“I see…”, Red let his voice trail off.

The crowd began murmuring as the wind picked up. A shadow ran over Yellow and he looked up to see dark clouds forming.

“Alright everyone, listen up!”, yelled Red, quieting the crowd.

“All of you follow Green Runner back to the nest, take what you can but hurry.”, he addressed the crowd.

“What about you?”, asked Green Runner.

“Brown and I will distract that vile creature while you all make your escape.”, said Red.

“Brown, Red, that thing will definitely kill you both. It killed a great snake. Think Yellow, there must be something you can do, anything to save them. Wait of course, it might not last long, but it would be better than Red and Brown. Hopefully we can cover our tracks or make time to run to the plains.”, thought Yellow.

“N, No.”, muttered Yellow, looking at his feet.

“Hm?”, questioned Red.

“I, I have another idea, no, a better one.”, said Yellow raising his head high and looking into Red’s piercing gaze.

“Alright, let’s hear it.”, said Red.

. . .