03-20-2020, 02:44 AM
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Shrieking never preceded anything good. A universal cry for help, desperation ringing across the dunes. Maybe in another life, a life untainted by the motives of another, he would have approached to offer such direly needed help. Before harsh winter and even harsher labor stripped his compassion to its shriveled core, Nikolai would have rushed to the scene, worry clear on unscathed features.
But now the wolverine heard the shriek as a dinner bell. The scent of death freshly wafted from afar, his nose flaring to catch a trace through the gas mask's filter. There was no rush to his stalking gait, broad paws splaying with every step in the stand. By the time the scent strengthened, a crowd gathered and ash mingled with his senses. Snorting to himself, he slumped, another meal likely already picked clean by the other starving creatures within the desert.
Then a glimpse of pale beige grasped in the insect's claws caught his silver eye, which soon widened upon recognizing the object. An egg. And a large one at that. Full of yolk, possibly even a chick, just waiting to be devoured. His mouth watering, Nikolai crept closer, the humidity of his breath and sweat fogging the lenses of his mask.
Only for the white-furred pointy cat to lunge at his target's leg. A snarl sounded from behind the mask, his paw flashing out to hook Mercede by the scruff and yanking her back. "Відступити!" he hoarsely growled through clenched teeth, stockier form looming above her with dark hackles bristling.
But now the wolverine heard the shriek as a dinner bell. The scent of death freshly wafted from afar, his nose flaring to catch a trace through the gas mask's filter. There was no rush to his stalking gait, broad paws splaying with every step in the stand. By the time the scent strengthened, a crowd gathered and ash mingled with his senses. Snorting to himself, he slumped, another meal likely already picked clean by the other starving creatures within the desert.
Then a glimpse of pale beige grasped in the insect's claws caught his silver eye, which soon widened upon recognizing the object. An egg. And a large one at that. Full of yolk, possibly even a chick, just waiting to be devoured. His mouth watering, Nikolai crept closer, the humidity of his breath and sweat fogging the lenses of his mask.
Only for the white-furred pointy cat to lunge at his target's leg. A snarl sounded from behind the mask, his paw flashing out to hook Mercede by the scruff and yanking her back. "Відступити!" he hoarsely growled through clenched teeth, stockier form looming above her with dark hackles bristling.