Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2023 19:31:29 GMT -5
with frostblur
Three suns rose and three suns set and still Russet walked the edge of the forest; never too far in to lose sight of it, never too far out to be exposed to the wide sky.
Some things had not changed. The early day brought fog, spilling from the teeth of the trunks stretching above them out into the fields. Russet would hunt the small things in the undergrowth, birds that alighted on the stalks of grass for hunting of their own. Midday the sun cleared the sky and bore down a humid heat, and they would find shade and rest until dusk.
What had changed was that it was lonesome. It was still and quiet but for the wind, until it wasn't-Russet had not been so afraid of sudden sounds and movement in a long time. No one would come to help them no matter how much they cried out if they were frightened or in pain, and if their hunting came up short there was no food waiting in a bowl against the twoleg nest.
They were wary; they were worried, jumped at their own tail flicking behind them or their shadow on the ground; and they were tired. Thinking about it made Russet miserable. Their chest ached.
With a little huff, they decided to stop traveling for the day. They were physically tired too, navigating thick roots and pitfalls with one paw less always more difficult in unfamiliar places.
Russet sniffed the air, ears swiveled as they plodded towards what looked a good place to safely rest, a nook between a rock and the roots of a tree; and then they froze.
There was someone near, and coming closer.
