FINTAIL (SLOW UPDATES)

𝙏𝙒𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙔-𝙎𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉

HORROR WASN'T a good enough word to describe this moment.

The trek back from Xycles's chambers was a blur to the poor longsnout. He walked mindlessly, ignoring all thoughts and sounds like a mute mime on the precipice of an execution. In many ways, that was the better way to describe what was coming for him.

What did you do?

A chasm had opened beneath Speck's gut, swallowing any slither of hope he had left within. His claws would interlace, squeezing tight enough to draw blood, and his pupils had shrunk back to the size of pinballs. He imagined his silence would shed some light on his bravery to the Ogloos guiding him now, but the way his body rattled fought against it. Speck only wanted to wail. To scream out loud and beg the stars to answer one more plea. It was pointless. Now he understood what prey must feel like moments before being killed.

What have I done?

After what felt like hours, Speck noticed the doorway to his family's cage open up and unleashed a much-needed sigh. He expected his sister, Cora to lunge at him with open arms, or hear Fossil's disgruntled voice... but there was nothing there. Nothing but the blackness expanse he knew so much of.

"Wait, this isn't—" Speck spun around in alarm; the Ogloos had blocked his path, their obsidian-like spikes lifting toward him.

"Enter." They said in unison. Speck tilted his head; the dead silence within made his heart race faster. There was nobody in there.

"N-No, this—" Speck shook his head. "This isn't the right room."

"Enter."

"Where's my family?"

"Enter. Now."

Speck's eyes narrowed, his chest puffing up to try and scare them. "I am no e-entering this thing until I see them!"

Their spikes suddenly darted toward him, tearing a piece of skin from Speck's cheekbone. The spinosaurus yelped in alarm, his body jolting to the sting of pain rushing up his face. He tried to look back over before a second stab struck his snout, battering him backward. Speck's face twisted with pain and shock; by the time he found his footing the door was closing, killing off what little light he had to enjoy.

"No!" Speck scrambled toward the door and threw out his claws, locking the door's closing mechanism out of desperation. The Ogloos watched curiously as Speck continued to pull, impressed by his newfound strength.

"Much strength must be saved," one of the Ogloos whispered.

"For the fight you have," said the other.

"You do not want to die early."

"Xycles will not be pleased."

"I d-don't care!" Speck shrieked, still trying to keep the door pried. "Please, I don't want to be alone in here! I w-want to be with them! Let me g-go, I-I promise I won't—"

"Goodnight, Fintail." It knocked his fingers from grasp. Speck slammed onto the ground and spun around at the last second.

"No!"

The darkness quickly flooded over him, the cold followed suite. Then, there was nothing. Nothing but his labored breaths panting in an emptiness he could not decipher. Speck whined, louder and louder, backing up as far as he could until his tail struck the opposite wall. He flinched; Speck couldn't see anything around him, let alone his own claws, and he shook everso harder at what evils he couldn't see lurking around him. If there were even any.

"It's okay," he tried to whisper to himself. "It's okay, y-you're okay. You're—"

Without warning, a white light appeared up above the entryway, barely enough to illuminate the room he was trapped in. Speck forced a swallow and moved toward it, his eyes struggling to figure out what its purpose was. Only after he got closer did it finally show him enough to drag his heart deeper into the pit.