- Apr 18, 2023
- 37
- 4
- 8
The dense undergrowth of ShadowClan territory provides a familiar sanctuary for Jitterbug. The scent of pine needles and damp earth is comforting, and ey relishes the cool, shaded environment. Ey has always felt at home here among the shadows, away from piercing eyes of others. Jitterbug had woken early, and hadn’t been able to sit still for long, instead resolving to go out on a walk, and perhaps try to bring some prey back as well. As ey is moving, ey is on edge, eir eyes constantly darting around, ears twitching at every rustle. A flicker of movement to the left makes em jerk, a small tic that sends a shiver down eir spine. A bird, nothing more. Ey mutters to emself, an attempt to calm and reassure emself. "Bird, just a bird. Just a bird."
As ey moves deeper into the forest, a low growl rumbles through the air. Jitterbug's heart skips a beat, and ey freeze, ears straining to pinpoint the source of the noise. The wind shifts, just a moment too late. Just as ey catches the scent, a large creature barrels out of the bushes—a badger, its eyes gleaming. Jitterbug's initial reaction is to jump back, a startled yelp escaping eir lips. The shock gives way to adrenaline, eir heart beginning to rapidly pound. The badger lunges, its claws swiping through the air. Ey tries to dodge, but the beast is faster than ey expects. Pain erupts from the back of eir neck, searing and hot, as the badger's claws rake down and across eir face. Ey shriek in pain, stumbling back to try to get away from the badger. Blood pours from the deep gash, blinding em in one eye and matting eir fur. Panic and fury mingle as ey face the snarling creature. Despite the pain, eir mind is clear. Ey knows that ey has to do something. Ey hisses fiercely, the sound cut off by a tic that makes eir jaw snap shut with a click.
Eir mind is racing. Ey had to be smart about this—ey can't match the badger's strength, but ey could outthink it, or perhaps at least outrun it. With a grimace, ey darts to the side, running for a dense thicket where ey could gain some cover. The badger follows, its bulky form crashing through the underbrush. "Think," ey hisses at emself through gritted teeth, eir words half-swallowed by a tic, jaw unwillingly clenching tight. A solution occurs to em, and after a brief moment, ey manages to duck to avoid another swipe from the badger and push emself to run faster. Jitterbug dashes towards a tree, squeezing through the narrow gaps between the branches as ey rapidly climbs up the bark, quickly maneuvering emself out of the brute’s reach. The badger roars in frustration, its larger body struggling to follow. Ey glances back, the motion causing another wave of pain to crash over em now that the adrenaline is beginning to wear off. Ey bites back a sound, hoping that being out of the badger’s reach and staying quiet is enough for it to lose interest. The badger, unable to follow em, growls lowly and lumbers off.
Breathing heavily, ey takes the opportunity to try to calm down. From the safety of the higher branches, ey watches as the badger finally leaves, its growls fading into the distance. Exhausted, in pain, Jitterbug leans against the trunk, eir vision swimming. "Camp… gotta get to camp," ey mumbles to emself. The wound on eir neck and face throbs with every heartbeat, but ey knows ey can’t stay here. Once ey feels enough time has passed, ey clumsily climbs down from the tree, beginning to walk back in the direction of camp.
As ey moves deeper into the forest, a low growl rumbles through the air. Jitterbug's heart skips a beat, and ey freeze, ears straining to pinpoint the source of the noise. The wind shifts, just a moment too late. Just as ey catches the scent, a large creature barrels out of the bushes—a badger, its eyes gleaming. Jitterbug's initial reaction is to jump back, a startled yelp escaping eir lips. The shock gives way to adrenaline, eir heart beginning to rapidly pound. The badger lunges, its claws swiping through the air. Ey tries to dodge, but the beast is faster than ey expects. Pain erupts from the back of eir neck, searing and hot, as the badger's claws rake down and across eir face. Ey shriek in pain, stumbling back to try to get away from the badger. Blood pours from the deep gash, blinding em in one eye and matting eir fur. Panic and fury mingle as ey face the snarling creature. Despite the pain, eir mind is clear. Ey knows that ey has to do something. Ey hisses fiercely, the sound cut off by a tic that makes eir jaw snap shut with a click.
Eir mind is racing. Ey had to be smart about this—ey can't match the badger's strength, but ey could outthink it, or perhaps at least outrun it. With a grimace, ey darts to the side, running for a dense thicket where ey could gain some cover. The badger follows, its bulky form crashing through the underbrush. "Think," ey hisses at emself through gritted teeth, eir words half-swallowed by a tic, jaw unwillingly clenching tight. A solution occurs to em, and after a brief moment, ey manages to duck to avoid another swipe from the badger and push emself to run faster. Jitterbug dashes towards a tree, squeezing through the narrow gaps between the branches as ey rapidly climbs up the bark, quickly maneuvering emself out of the brute’s reach. The badger roars in frustration, its larger body struggling to follow. Ey glances back, the motion causing another wave of pain to crash over em now that the adrenaline is beginning to wear off. Ey bites back a sound, hoping that being out of the badger’s reach and staying quiet is enough for it to lose interest. The badger, unable to follow em, growls lowly and lumbers off.
Breathing heavily, ey takes the opportunity to try to calm down. From the safety of the higher branches, ey watches as the badger finally leaves, its growls fading into the distance. Exhausted, in pain, Jitterbug leans against the trunk, eir vision swimming. "Camp… gotta get to camp," ey mumbles to emself. The wound on eir neck and face throbs with every heartbeat, but ey knows ey can’t stay here. Once ey feels enough time has passed, ey clumsily climbs down from the tree, beginning to walk back in the direction of camp.