Chapter Text
My long legs soundlessly traverse the foliage of my family's territory. A picture perfect plot right on the outskirts of Bones Borough, one of the nicest towns on The Boiling Isles. Hunting is one of the most calming pastimes. Being alone with your thoughts is like a breath of fresh air. A much needed escape from the pressures of being a Blight. My herd isn't awful by any means, but they can be pretty annoying. Especially my older twin siblings. Their idea of entertainment is harassing me for hours on end. I can’t help but love them though, if it wasn’t for them my parents would have driven me mad long ago. Mother is a perfectionist and my Dad is an enabler. One thing they have in common is their lackadaisical way of raising foals, they were never really there. As I pass familiar landmarks I am awed by the sheer silence of the woods. Not the usual lull of bird calls, nor the lively scutter of small animals under the brush. Recently I have been seeing a decline in prey, but the eerie emptiness of the woods was new. If I go back empty handed, I can only hope one of the twins had better luck. Mother gets cranky when she is hungry, even crankier than usual. As I reach a wide grassy field that indicates the end of my family’s land, I see a familiar neighbor.
“King!”
The little Imp’s head swivels to my voice. His head resembles the skull of a creature I can’t identify, his body that of a fluffy canine. Nobody knows what species he is, only that one day Eda showed up with him bundled in a basket as a baby and never left. We call him an Imp, because the chances he is some species of Imp is high. They are an extremely common species and come in all different shapes and sizes.
“Amity! Have you seen Eda? She never returned from her hunting trip, she has never gone this long.”
His little face is contorted in an uncharacteristic frown, making me feel for him. It wasn’t like Eda to leave King for long, she was (usually) a responsible caregiver.
“No I haven’t, no signs of her in the Blight woods… Sorry King. If I see her I will let her know you are worried.”
“She left over two moons ago! She promised to return by nightfall, I’m worried…”
This was not like Eda at all. Despite her notoriety for recklessness and freewill, she wasn’t one to disappear for days at a time. Well, not since she brought home King. He is only a child after all.
“Is Hooty and Owlbert still here?”
Eda’s friendly pet owls, both of which have a habit of stealing my fresh kills. Absolute heathen spawns of The Owl Lady.
“Hooty stayed with me, but Owlbert isn’t anywhere to be found. He left with Eda but hasn’t returned either, do you think they are okay?”
At this point his pout had transformed to a full out frown. He looked on the verge of tears.
“If anyone can survive those woods for so long, it’s Eda. I mean, have you seen those claws? Absolute murder machines!”
This elicited a small chuckle from the young creature.
“Okay, Aunt Lilith is due to be visiting soon. She might have more updates.”
“Stay safe King, don’t wander too far. If you do, take Hooty with you okay?”
He nodded and started running back in the direction of Eda’s cavern. Only sparing me a backwards wave and tail wag. I watch his shrinking figure until I am certain he made it back. This was concerning news. Of all our neighbors, Eda was my favorite. Me and the twins have spent countless days with her, she was almost like an estranged aunt. Ever since she brought home King she had changed, more protective and mature. He was the best thing to happen around here in a long time. I genuinely hope she is okay. As I start my return trek home, I get a chill up my spine. From my hooves to my mane, I feel on edge. I feel like prey, being tracked by a predator. This isn’t an uncommon feeling, my family are technically labeled prey in the olden world. However, this is the first time I have felt this within the comfort of the Blight woods. My fur stands on edge and I grasp my arrows firmly. Best not linger, I should head back quickly.