The scorching desert sun beat down relentlessly, its oppressive glare reflecting off the endless expanse of cracked, parched earth. A single tree, a withered old thing barely clinging to life, stood like a sentinel atop a small rise in the distance. It was the only source of shade for miles around, and for Mikki, it represented much more than just a spot to escape the heat. This was his sanctuary; his hunting ground. Death to all around it!. He was trying to learn the ways of the desert from the tree, having once been one himself, but it didn't give up much information. Well, any really. Yesterday it wasn't much help. Today was no different. Equipped with nothing but his trusty chainsaw and a small leather pouch filled with pebbles and other traps, Mikki set off on another quest to find food.
The first creature he encountered was a lizard, skittering across the sand in a desperate attempt to escape the unforgiving sun. Mikki crouched low, his gaze fixed on the small reptile, and tossed a pebble in its direction. The lizard darted away, but not quickly enough, as the pebble struck it squarely on the tail. With a startled squeak, the lizard writhed on the ground, its tiny limbs flailing helplessly. Mikki approached cautiously, not wanting to spook it, and scooped up the struggling creature with his free hand. Its warm, scaly body squirmed briefly against his palm before going still, and he smiled, knowing that his family would enjoy a tasty meal tonight. And really… it died from a pebble?
As he continued his search, Mikki came across the tracks of a larger animal, possibly a jackal or a coyote. Now this was more exciting! The prints were fresh, and he could feel his heart racing with excitement. He followed the tracks for what seemed like hours, his bare feet sinking into the soft sand with each step. The desert grew more silent and still around him, and Mikki knew that he was getting closer. Finally, he caught sight of the animal itself, crouched low in the shadows of a nearby dune. It was a jackal, an impressive adult male with a sleek, grayish coat. Mikki's heart pounded in his chest as he prepared to throw a nasty acid vial... But before he could make his move, the jackal lifted its head and let out a long, eerie howl that echoed across the desert.
Startled, Mikki froze in place. The jackal's gaze locked on to him, and he could feel the animal's intense curiosity and wariness. Slowly, cautiously, he raised his chainsaw, trying to appear larger and more threatening. The jackal continued to watch him, its golden eyes never leaving his face. After what seemed like an eternity, the animal finally turned away and disappeared over the dune. Mikki exhaled shakily, realising that he had come closer to a jackal than ever before. Though he hadn't managed to catch it, the experience left him feeling both exhilarated and humbled. He knew that next time, he would be even more prepared. And he would kill id dead!
Mikki continued his search, moving deeper into the heart of the desert. The sand grew softer underfoot, and the shadows cast by the lone tree grew longer and more oppressive. He paused to rest beneath the tree's sparse canopy, feeling the cool air wash over him. As he sat there, listening to the distant cries of desert birds and the rustle of leaves in the nearby breeze, he couldn't help but marvel at the harsh beauty of this unforgiving place. It was both a sanctuary and a prison, nurturing him even as it tested his limits and pushed him to his very edge.
He ate a small portion of the lizard he had caught earlier, savouring its distinctive flavour and texture. In less fancy words - it was bloody yummy. The meat was tough, but it filled him with a sense of accomplishment and pride. As he finished, he looked up at the tree, imagining what it must have been like when there had been more water and life here. The trunk was gnarled and twisted, its branches reaching up towards the sky like the grasping fingers of a dying man. He wondered how much longer it would be able to survive in this barren wasteland. The old fart wouldn't talk to him, so eh who cares if it died. Silly tree.
A sudden rustling in the nearby bushes caught his attention. He tensed, his heart racing with anticipation, and slowly, carefully, made his way over to investigate. It was a group of small desert rodents, scurrying about in search of food and water. He watched them for a moment, fascinated by their resilience and determination in the face of such adversity. He wondered if they ever felt the same sense of awe and respect for the harsh beauty of the desert that he did.
The chainsaw came out and there would be a feast tonight! HAHAHAHA!!!
[MFT]
[WC: 828]
The first creature he encountered was a lizard, skittering across the sand in a desperate attempt to escape the unforgiving sun. Mikki crouched low, his gaze fixed on the small reptile, and tossed a pebble in its direction. The lizard darted away, but not quickly enough, as the pebble struck it squarely on the tail. With a startled squeak, the lizard writhed on the ground, its tiny limbs flailing helplessly. Mikki approached cautiously, not wanting to spook it, and scooped up the struggling creature with his free hand. Its warm, scaly body squirmed briefly against his palm before going still, and he smiled, knowing that his family would enjoy a tasty meal tonight. And really… it died from a pebble?
As he continued his search, Mikki came across the tracks of a larger animal, possibly a jackal or a coyote. Now this was more exciting! The prints were fresh, and he could feel his heart racing with excitement. He followed the tracks for what seemed like hours, his bare feet sinking into the soft sand with each step. The desert grew more silent and still around him, and Mikki knew that he was getting closer. Finally, he caught sight of the animal itself, crouched low in the shadows of a nearby dune. It was a jackal, an impressive adult male with a sleek, grayish coat. Mikki's heart pounded in his chest as he prepared to throw a nasty acid vial... But before he could make his move, the jackal lifted its head and let out a long, eerie howl that echoed across the desert.
Startled, Mikki froze in place. The jackal's gaze locked on to him, and he could feel the animal's intense curiosity and wariness. Slowly, cautiously, he raised his chainsaw, trying to appear larger and more threatening. The jackal continued to watch him, its golden eyes never leaving his face. After what seemed like an eternity, the animal finally turned away and disappeared over the dune. Mikki exhaled shakily, realising that he had come closer to a jackal than ever before. Though he hadn't managed to catch it, the experience left him feeling both exhilarated and humbled. He knew that next time, he would be even more prepared. And he would kill id dead!
Mikki continued his search, moving deeper into the heart of the desert. The sand grew softer underfoot, and the shadows cast by the lone tree grew longer and more oppressive. He paused to rest beneath the tree's sparse canopy, feeling the cool air wash over him. As he sat there, listening to the distant cries of desert birds and the rustle of leaves in the nearby breeze, he couldn't help but marvel at the harsh beauty of this unforgiving place. It was both a sanctuary and a prison, nurturing him even as it tested his limits and pushed him to his very edge.
He ate a small portion of the lizard he had caught earlier, savouring its distinctive flavour and texture. In less fancy words - it was bloody yummy. The meat was tough, but it filled him with a sense of accomplishment and pride. As he finished, he looked up at the tree, imagining what it must have been like when there had been more water and life here. The trunk was gnarled and twisted, its branches reaching up towards the sky like the grasping fingers of a dying man. He wondered how much longer it would be able to survive in this barren wasteland. The old fart wouldn't talk to him, so eh who cares if it died. Silly tree.
A sudden rustling in the nearby bushes caught his attention. He tensed, his heart racing with anticipation, and slowly, carefully, made his way over to investigate. It was a group of small desert rodents, scurrying about in search of food and water. He watched them for a moment, fascinated by their resilience and determination in the face of such adversity. He wondered if they ever felt the same sense of awe and respect for the harsh beauty of the desert that he did.
The chainsaw came out and there would be a feast tonight! HAHAHAHA!!!
[MFT]
[WC: 828]