HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE HUMAN ⟡ deadly encounter

[FINNEGAN F.M.R.]

THE LESS I KNOW, THE BETTER

Sometimes having friends, is beneficial. They could keep you company, even keep you out of trouble... but sometimes, they can lead you to do things you wouldn't normally do on your own. With risks, come a cost...

Finnegan awoke to the sounds of pebbles getting thrown against his window, rising drowsily from his bed within his family's hut. In the early morning light, he could just make out the shapes of his two friends, waving to him from outside. Doing his best to quietly sneak out, the Roux child would pad up to his friends. "Hey, what's so important that you had to wake me up early? I was having a good dream!" He would huff in a whispered tone, ears slightly flattened. The other two kits would look at each other briefly before the black furred kitten would respond. "Listen Finn, we have a... challenge for you." He said, smirking. The other, gray tabby kitten would chime in as well, adding "Yeah! You know, this is how ALL captains prove their worth y'know. So if you wanna be one someday, you should totally practice early so you're prepared for later!" Imaginary eyebrow raising in questioning, Finnegan would respond doubtfully, "Okayy... so, what is it?" "Come on, we'll show you!" The black kitten said, starting off towards the jungle with the tabby kitten and Finnegan in tow.

---

"Are we there yet? Come on guys, I'm getting all wet!" Finn grumbled, a large raindrop sliding off one of the trees and landing on his face, causing him to hiss and shake his head wildly. His asthma certainly wasn't helping either, breaths coming up in small wheezes as he walked along. "Yeah! Not much farther!" One of the other kittens called from in front as they tredged through the undergrowth. Moments later, they would emerge into a small clearing, a small rock in the center with what looked like a large predator's tooth resting upon it. "Here it is!" The tabby kitten exclaimed. Walking forward, Finnegan would gaze at the tooth in wonder. "Woah..." The beta would say, touching it with a claw. "So, what do I do now?" He said, turning back to his friends. The two kits would exchange a look, smiling deviously at Finn. "Oh, now? Now, you're on your own! See ya!"  With that, they turned and ran off. "Wha- WAIT! HEY! COME BACK!" He screamed, starting to trot in their direction before he heard shuffling in the bushes behind him.

He froze. What was that? Slowly turning his head, he looked around, trying to figure out where it was coming from. Then, a loud growling noise came from somewhere behind him, causing him to whip around once more. "Guys... th... this isn't funny anymore! Cut it out!" Finnegan called out, tail between his legs. But it wasn't his friends... no, it was something much larger. More deadly. A flash of yellow eyes caught his attention and his fur stood on end, his paws feeling like stone. In that moment, something deep within him called out in a voice that wasn't his own...

"LOOK OUT!"

No longer in control, Finnegan's body seemed to move on it's own as he rolled sideways, narrowly missing the giant jaguar's grasp as it pounced on the spot he had previously inhabited. Furious, the beast whipped around to face him again and Finn would let out a scream, running in the direction he had come from. Behind him, he could hear the jaguar in hot pursuit, smashing through the undergrowth as it chased him down. Realizing he wasn't going to be fast enough on his own four legs, he would spread his wings and flap them as quick as he could, soaring through the tree cover and tumbling back out onto the beach. The beast, realizing where it was, slid to a stop. Typhoon territory. Growling in frustration, it let out one finally angry roar towards Finnegan before running back into the jungle.

Wheezing loudly, the boy would collapse, utterly exhausted and in complete shock. What the hell... no, what the fuck just happened!? How had his body moved on its own? He definitely didn't do that rolling thing back there so... who did? Before he could even begin to figure things out, his vision would go dark as he passed out, head flopping onto the sand. It seemed Finnegan had survived... this time, at least...

(( summary: finnegan is taken into the jungle by his "friends" on a challenge. they ditch him and a jaguar finds him, preparing to make him his breakfast. sensing danger, the other spirit that inhabits finn's body takes control, dodging the jaguar's pounce just in time. once again in control, finnegan tries to escape the jaguar, running and eventually, flying at top speed out of the jungle and back into typhoon territory. he is now lying on the beach, having collapsed from exhaustion and overexertion. ))

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT? IS THIS WHO YOU ARE? I WAS DOING FINE WITHOUT YA, 'TILL I SAW YOUR EYES TURN AWAY FROM MINE

— Reggan