Shadows and Hope: An Indoraptor Story ✓

Palo Alto

The human city wasn't too big, but it wasn't small either. I could sense the bustling energy surrounding it as I approached its outskirts. The town had a charm, and I felt drawn to explore its secrets and hidden treasures. Its pulse was felt around me, and I knew this place had opportunities and dangers. So, with cautious steps, I made my way into the city's heart, eager to see what lay ahead.

Even though this was the first human place I had seen in a week, I knew this wasn't where my prey was hiding. I had come a long way, but it would take days of searching to find that vermin before he could slip away under my powerful jaws before I could finally kill him.

I kept to the shadowed alleyways as darkness crept from the city's heart. Humans bustled about, seemingly calm and at rest. But I knew that in their hearts, they feared the apocalypse just as much as I would if I were in their shoes. As I walked, I saw small human children tugging their mothers after them, asking to buy some candy from stores. Fathers were teaching their sons to ride a strange contraption that would drive them forward. I saw everything and nothing of what I had thought human society was like. These were lovable life specimens, not the heartless people I had seen before.

But deep down, I knew better. I knew that this façade of humanity was just that – a façade. Beneath the surface, there were secrets, lies, and darkness lurking. I could sense the fear and desperation they tried so hard to hide. As much as I wanted to believe that humans were just innocent creatures living their lives, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something more sinister was at play. So I kept my guard up, knowing that danger could lurk around any corner.

I slipped into a special alleyway and saw three humans. Two of them held guns, while the third had some suitcases. My heart raced as I froze in my tracks, listening to their barks of hatred toward the man with the briefcase. "Give us the money, Jacob! You promised us for years now!" spat the tallest one.

"B-but Hongjoong, I-I don't have the money!" the man wailed. The former scoffed and twirled his gun in his fingers. "Yeah, sure, and I'm the world's leader," he said, his buddy chuckling deeply beside him.

I watched from the shadows, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I had to do something but I couldn't risk exposing myself. So I waited, watching and listening as the tension between them grew. Finally, the man with the suitcase was backed against the wall, his eyes wide with fear. I could feel the danger emanating from the two gunmen, and I knew that someone would get hurt if I didn't act fast.

My talons shook as I let out a birdcall, hoping for help. Instead, the two men with guns whirled around, their weapons pointing straight at me. Fear coursed through me, but I stood my ground, ready to fight or flee depending on their next move.

As I stood there, trembling with fear, I suddenly caught sight of a grey blur dashing past me. Before I knew it, the two men before me had been taken down individually. The only one left standing was the man with the suitcase. The creature that had just helped me stood still, and I finally recognized her familiar figure and scent. As I watched, a deep growl echoed through the air, and before I knew what was happening, I found myself charging at her with my jaws pried open, instincts taking over.

As I clamped down on the raptor's arm, she let out a piercing screech of pain, but she was a fierce fighter and thrashed beneath me. She tried to dislodge me with all her strength, but I held tight. Her sharp claws raked across my chest and belly, leaving bloody gashes, but I didn't let go. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, she freed her arm from my jaws and scrambled to her feet, ready to pounce.

I stepped back, my muscles coiled, and we circled each other warily. I could feel my heart pounding as I waited for her next move. The raptor hissed and lunged forward, but I dodged to the side and caught her by the tail. Then, with a quick jerk, I pulled her off balance, and she stumbled. Then, before she could recover, I lunged forward and clamped my jaws around her neck, crushing her windpipe.