Horns ✖

Blame

I couldn't stop staring at Tooth.

I didn't even want to look away.

A few minutes trickled by since I resurfaced from these memories. But my welcoming to the world wasn't greeted by happy words or comforting hugs -- they were contorted by the agonies that now polluted my brain, and stares -- cold, hardened stares. The world I once knew now raced full speed into my brain, just barely allowing me to comprehend my nightmares and my dreams. There was so much to take in, all in so little time.

But, for now, all that stood out to me was how it all ended. My earholes didn't bother to listen to the muffled growls and huffs of the many saurians surrounding me, nor did I bother to care. All of that attention sat upon the brown sharptooth cowering in the corner, a carnivore who knew full well that I found out the truth. He knew that I was upset.

And he was right...

The truth hurts. It burned my insides alive like hellfire, and tied a noose around my beating heart. Knowing you've been lied to, betrayed, and targeted for years on end was bad enough. But having your own ally kill you...

I shuddered. Even if I hadn't lost my voice I couldn't find the strength to release my outrage. My words were told through the crystal tears that began to mold beneath my eyes, clear for all to see.

But I couldn't blame Tooth for everything. There were tears that formed over my own sake. Because I was just as responsible for my own demise as he was. I caused all of this. I let Livia die. I let Thistlehorn die. I let my entire herd die.

This fate is what I deserved.

Too heart-broken and scared to look into the eyes of another, I shoved past Dreamcatcher and scrambled into the dark ends of his cave, shuddering and groaning as the pain grew and grew. Blinded by the shadows above and below, I felt it all suddenly spill over, a tidal wave that proved too much to withstand. Once my bones failed me, I collapsed to the floor, my fall shaking the earth below.

I broke into a whimper... and silently sobbed into the blackness.

------------------------

"I understand your pain, three-horn."

Sniveling, I opened my wetted eyes, head tilted slightly to the foreign voice. I didn't sense anything other than the cold hollow breeze that lingered deep into this cavern. But after a draft rushed over my flesh, followed by the soft flapping beats of two wings, I understood why. But I didn't pester the flying creature, nor was I planning on engaging him, so I turned away as much as I could. Even as he sided me, I remained still, focusing on my heart and the endless earthshakes rattling my bones.

"The past is not kind to those who lose their way," said the flyer, plopping down right next to me. "Especially to those whose hearts have turned inside out."

Snorting, my eyes continued to stare down at the black rocks below without a single word. The flyer exhaled, looking behind his shoulder at the others, then back to me.

"But I tend to see some good in it. Even if its contents are... well below your likings."

I kept silent.

"But now you know the 'why'. What remains is how you will use it for a change. And I'm sure there is plenty of time for-"

I stood up, stopping Dreamcatcher's words dead in its tracks, and started to walk deeper into the cavern. I didn't want to hear anymore words of advice or caring sentiments meant to support me. Nothing was close to fixing the damage done. Not even he could tend to that kind of hell.

"T-Three-horn!" the flyer sat upright. "Don't walk away. I only wish to help, not to hurt! Please-" he flapped once, gliding right back down next to me. "-if I may continue?"