Lassoing the Cresent Moon

24. Shrine

"Awww!"

I saw a small catnap make its way toward me. Time hadn't been kind to it, its eye buttons were falling, and its fabric was ripped in several places revealing blood stained cotton underneath. It was waddling on these stubby purple legs, looking up at me with a big smile.

"You are too cute!" I exclaimed before taking the red flare hand and aiming it near the cat before shooting. It whimpered before backing away unharmed into one of holes. I looked at my flare hand and nodded. Getting rid of predators and not having to kill or fight anything? I could get used to this.

I turned and crept into one of the small rooms, still padded with bright colored tiles. This room had a small tent with childish drawings, and a fire pit. It was sad, and yet impressive that the mini critters had managed to make this their own environment.

I heard giggling again when I shot at a tiny green rabbit that squealed and backed away into another hole.

I looked around, the only place around me to continue was another vent. I had a bad feeling about this...

I went into it, and as soon as I did I heard giggling echoing around me. I looked around but saw nothing, there was no telling where the little devil(s) were. I tried to quicken my pace as Each turn sent my heart beating a little faster, knowing that they could be right around the corner. It wasn't as easy to shoot and aim in such a small space. When I turned it was hard to see past my body taking most of the room around me.

It was dark, it was echoey. I had to get out of here.

I shot a flare forward to be given some light only to catch a critter just before it pounced on me. I stared at it as my heart drummed in my chest.

So close.

Too close.

I shot at it again to send it further away as I got a better idea of where I was going. Pretty soon I was able to crawl out of the vent into another closed space with padded walls. Large blocks and foam ramps were scattered around, making it harder to keep going one way. To my advantage, when I shot my flares their way they cast shadows giving me a pretty good idea where the small critters were.

The tiny little plush babies seemed to have no idea that I was onto them as they continued towards me.

BAM! BAM!

A pig and unicorn had to back away just before I saw an elephant come at me at my right. I shot at it before ducking my head as I crawled over one of the foam ramps.

At a higher height, now I could see the maze of padded walls. This thing was huge! I had no idea where I was going, and those little buggers were everywhere! I tapped at my flare impatiently waiting for it to reload before continuing.

I took a deep breath. I wanted to save someone- I should have expected this type of plush hell to come with it.

Three of them were following me with two behind me and three to my left. Where did they come from? I shot twice at the group of three before deciding to risk it and going a bit further before shooting again.

I couldn't let them get too close- but I couldn't let myself run out of flares.

Although my physical body felt panicked, after all that had happened I was starting to feel in my element. Did I still feel clueless, yes- but this time I felt like I was so much closer to actually achieving something. I wouldn't get another clue to Sam.

I'd get a person. Maybe only the remains- but a person.

I cringed as I crawled over more blood-stained foam ramps. The cold atmosphere had a small scent of iron in the air that made my stomach want to flip.