Shadows and Hope: An Indoraptor Story ✓

The Hunt for Wu

The heavy sun struck me from the heavens, and my black scales didn't help. It felt like walking into a never-ending fire. Also, I didn't know there would be so much desert between cities. This is Palo Alto, so the next place must be where he could hide... I sighed. Nothing came to me, and I was lost again. I took shelter under a rock jutting out from the ground, large and impressive.

You know you can search for those human children again. That way, you can be led to Wu's captivity and escape again, said my mind. 

I sighed, flicking my tail. Do you think that would work? I thought back. My mind shrugged, and why wouldn't it? We both know that humans are stupid, and it's not easy to leave them be when all they want is to kill you and experiment on you. So just kill him whenever you get the chance, Ripper. That's my advice.

I continued walking, mulling over what he had said. While there was truth in his words, I knew that Wu was more clever than his fellow companions, and I shouldn't underestimate him. But, unfortunately, I did that last time, and it didn't end well.

I will think about it, I answered in the end, and my mind hummed before returning to its silent humming. I walked on for a few more hours before the desert sun became too much again. A familiar scent drifted into my nostrils as I took in the scorching desert air. But this was no mere canine like the one I encountered earlier. It was something else entirely, something more... organized. My mind flashed back to the lone hyena I faced, but this time it was different. The scent of two, perhaps three, maybe even four creatures lingered in the air. A pack, no less.

As the realization dawned on me, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of fear. The hyena may have been a solo act, but a pack was a different ball game. I steeled myself, ready to defend against whatever was coming my way. The desert may have been hot, but my senses were on high alert, waiting for the pack's next move.

I growled lowly as the dog-like beings yipped, circling me like I was their prey - which, at this moment, I was. My wounds were a telltale sign that I had no chance left, and they would kill me quickly if I let them. But I wouldn't go down without a fight after coming so far.

I scanned the pack, watching their every move, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. They were cunning, no doubt, but so was I. I had survived this long for a reason, and I wasn't about to let a pack of wild dogs take me down.

With fierce determination, I lunged forward, baring my teeth and unleashing a ferocious growl. The pack hesitated for a moment, surprised by my sudden attack. But it was just the opening I needed. So I struck, taking out the lead dog with a swift blow before darting away from the rest of the pack.

I knew I couldn't outrun them for long, but I had one final trick. I lured them into a narrow canyon, where their numbers would be useless. Then, with nowhere to run and no one to turn to, the pack of wild dogs closed in, ready to take their final strike.

But I was ready. With a fierce battle cry, I charged forward, my body a blur as I took down every dog in my path. Finally, I emerged victorious, battered and bruised but alive. And as I looked back at the pack of wild dogs, I knew one thing for sure - I had just proven stronger than any of them.

I surveyed the aftermath of the battle. The sand was littered with the bodies of the dog-like creatures, their once-ferocious snarls silenced forever. Yet, amidst the carnage, there was one survivor. He lay there, his breaths coming in shallow gasps, his body twitching uncontrollably.

As I approached him, my instincts screamed at me to finish him. It would be the easy thing to do. One swift bite and his suffering would be over. But something held me back. Maybe it was the way his eyes pleaded with me, the tears streaming down his face. Perhaps it was the way his whimpers sounded so much like my own.