Anguish
Stone-cold, every bone in Bartuk's body trembled. His sullen gaze panned the crimson soil of his pasture, splattered with blood and raw flesh.
Fear
A coiled appendage emerged from the predator's pouch and sprang open into an arm-length trunk. Horror engulfed the Skalag's face as he screamed. Something white and jagged protruded from the trunk and slashed through the helpless soul's bones. Blood sprayed across his face and arms as he shook and convulsed in place. A second later, one of the beast's paws reached into his sternum and removed the dripping heart. Teetering for a moment with a crimson stream cascading over his gut, the man toppled forward, smashing the ground with his face.
Call to Action
Forget the head games. Let's find that monster!
Suspense & Despair
Suddenly, Salty's voice boomed through Hoot's headband. "They're coming — thousands — maybe more!" Her gut burned as she yelled to the archers. "Get ready. Lots of them are on their way!" Within seconds, hordes of snatchers galloped past the leaders on the cliff from both sides. The beasts quickly descended over the ridge and down the slope in one continuous wave.
Breaking through an opening in the clouds, the sun cast its rays over the attackers. The bright glow reflected through their transparent hides like molten copper flowing down the mountainside. Hoot grabbed a couple of reapers and faced the archers. "Pick your targets and fire when they reach ground level."
A fear greater than ever swarmed her body. As frantic, unintelligible chatter of despair flooded the communication waves, Storm yelled. "Get a grip everybody! We need to settle down and kill these things!"
Though she knew her pa was right, doubt still forced its way into Hoot's head. How in the world can we survive so many? She clenched her bow and nocked her reapers.
Breaking through an opening in the clouds, the sun cast its rays over the attackers. The bright glow reflected through their transparent hides like molten copper flowing down the mountainside. Hoot grabbed a couple of reapers and faced the archers. "Pick your targets and fire when they reach ground level."
A fear greater than ever swarmed her body. As frantic, unintelligible chatter of despair flooded the communication waves, Storm yelled. "Get a grip everybody! We need to settle down and kill these things!"
Though she knew her pa was right, doubt still forced its way into Hoot's head. How in the world can we survive so many? She clenched her bow and nocked her reapers.
Muclones
Gno stood near the cage full of winged pterror-rexes and stared at his creations. Several of the carnivorous dino-chicks snapped and glared back as if afraid of nothing.
Waves of Emotions
A few minutes later, Skeeter stared at the android's parts strewn across the table. Andralec's face seemed so peaceful, much like the guardian angel he pictured from his pa's description. He was totally mesmerized as his gaze settled on her sparkling, baby-blue eyes. She's pretty, just like Caru's Auntie Mercy. Pure as fresh-fallen snow, the robot's white hair glistened in the sunlight peeking through the curtains...
"I suggest not attaching her arms and legs until after waking her up." Sis shrugged. "Why not?"
"Y'all will find out soon enough. Go ahead; grab her head and press that recessed button at the back of her neck." Cradling the cranium, Hoot tentatively pushed the black bar. Andralec's eyes blinked before opening wide. Her serene face contorted into deep furrows across her forehead and cheeks — uglier than the trolls Skeeter envisioned from stories he had read. A tirade of gibberish exploded from the robot's mouth at speeds unintelligible for the most part. Her pupils turned crimson as she blared at his sister. "Who are you; and where am I?"
"Come on Drally. Don't be so difficult. Caaalm down." Shifting toward the Texan, the android's eyes turned brighter red and started flashing. "Don't you shush me! You know I hate being turned off! And don't you call me Drally!" Her eyes spun in their sockets. "What'd you do with my arms and legs? Would you do this to a human?"
"I suggest not attaching her arms and legs until after waking her up." Sis shrugged. "Why not?"
"Y'all will find out soon enough. Go ahead; grab her head and press that recessed button at the back of her neck." Cradling the cranium, Hoot tentatively pushed the black bar. Andralec's eyes blinked before opening wide. Her serene face contorted into deep furrows across her forehead and cheeks — uglier than the trolls Skeeter envisioned from stories he had read. A tirade of gibberish exploded from the robot's mouth at speeds unintelligible for the most part. Her pupils turned crimson as she blared at his sister. "Who are you; and where am I?"
"Come on Drally. Don't be so difficult. Caaalm down." Shifting toward the Texan, the android's eyes turned brighter red and started flashing. "Don't you shush me! You know I hate being turned off! And don't you call me Drally!" Her eyes spun in their sockets. "What'd you do with my arms and legs? Would you do this to a human?"
Losing Control
"Skeeter and I have been practicing on increasing his ability to project his brainwaves with greater amplification so as not to require the headset." Salty's heart jumped so hard it felt like it was going to burst from his throat. He coughed. "What do you mean? Brain Meld is suppose to be experimental!"
The Peculiar
The eagle softly chirped and turned its head toward one of the mutilated corpses. Hoot stared at him. "Seriously? Now?" Caru glanced at her. "What does Slasher want?" Hoot cocked her head toward one of the dead cows. "Fresh meat. He likes the eyeballs."