Unknown Society

Shivering Bones

The morning comes, and so does Martinez's energy and paranoia. Today was a windy day out in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't cold or hot—but a heavy gust of wind, along with sand. It was something a mask would be good for.

Martinez had the energy to stick her head out and ensure that the coast was clear. Today was just like any day for her, albeit she had a sense of urgency to make her run quick and brief. She was hunched over, her rib cage somewhat visible than before. She looks to her left—her bike was gone. Although her face couldn't prove it, she was in shock and anger simultaneously. Her bike had never been stolen before, let alone anything she had ever owned. Being in the middle of nowhere, it was odd, too. And to her knowledge, she lived by herself.

To her, it was time to go on a hunt—a hunt to not only retrieve her motorbike, but to kill the person who did it.

Martinez was a very violent person, her upbringing made her that way, and understandably so. Humans had a great sense of smell, and can track another from miles away. Martinez used this to her advantage, and so it lead her to a territory she wasn't familiar with, albeit she wasn't scared or frightened. The territory was an old building, perhaps once a skyscraper with such purpose, but nowadays is nothing but shelter for another Human or two. She climbs up the walls, using her claws as hooks.

Inside was her motorbike—and another Human being smaller and shorter than her, considerably. They had dark brown skin, short black hair, black fur, and their left horn was torn. They were also shivering, and they didn't seem to have a mask on.

Martinez wanted to show no mercy, her claws were out and her tail was thrashing back and forth. "You..." she says, her voice raspy. She charges at them with full speed. The unsuspecting Human awakes from his nap, only to find himself on his back with Martinez atop his chest. "THIEF!" Martinez hisses at him.

"What?" The poor guy widens his eyes, his voice cracking with fear.

"Don't play dumb!" Martinez grabs him by the throat, squeezing it, "Your body will be displayed among the many I've killed."

"P-please don't kill me!" He pleads, "I didn't steal your bike! S-someone left it here!"

"Lies, lies!" Martinez throws him across the room like a rag doll, then pressing her hoof against his chest, "Your pleads mean nothing to me. I will dispose of you myself if you don't tell the truth."

"P-please, ma'am! I'm innocent! I-I was framed!" He says, coughing up blood, "The Sages! They were here with your bike! Th-they left me here to die out here with your bike! Pl-please spare me, ma'am!"

Martinez lowers her hoof. "How do you know about The Sages?" She asks.

"I-I-I was one of them! They abandoned me after I messed up..." He stands up, holding his chest, "They also stabbed me in my chest..." he moved his paw, revealing the gash on his chest.

Martinez growls lowly, "As if some story of yours is going to make me feel bad for you..."

"I'd be more grateful if you wouldn't kill me, please?" He bows in submission.

Martinez scoffs, "What's your name?"

"Dandy," he says, "but The Sages used to call me Shivers."

Martinez raises her eyebrow, "Where is your mask?"

"See, The Sages took mine, leaving me out here for dead," he says.

Martinez looks left and right. "You're lucky that it's just me here, boy. You would've been dead by the second another came here," she crosses her arms and sighs.

"I-I never got your name..."

"Martinez,"

"Isn't that your last name?" Shivers curiously asks.

Martinez nods, "I don't go by my first name."

"Why not?"

"Reasons. I don't trust you enough to tell them," she says, "I need to get you a mask."

"Why? We're in the middle of nowhere." He said.

Martinez immediately grabs onto his shoulders. "Just because we're in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean we're guaranteed safety, boy." She hisses.

"Does this mean that I'm going somewhere with you?" Shivers scratches his head.

"You have to, if you want to live." She gets on her motorbike, starting it up.

Shivers immediately gets on the bike.

"Hold on, Shivers. This may be a bumpy ride."