Lassoing the Cresent Moon

37. A Peace Offering

Kissy had helped me find a mattress that wasn't completely eaten away by moths and age. That combined with a catnap pillow and a few old blankets sent sweet rest resonating through my body. Even now with my eyes forced open, my sore limbs refused to move.

-Clank-THUD-

There was that noise again. I glanced at Dogday, whose recovery had gotten the better of him. He was still asleep.

-Clank-THUD-

It had started distant and soft at first, but that was a few hours ago. Whatever was dragging itself through the vents had gotten louder and closer at a slow place. Sometimes, the -Thud- was louder and I thought the creature had finally given up- but it always started back up again. I doubted it was important at first- but now I had to face the facts.

Out of every turn, every place this (likely injured) creature had turned, it had forced itself in our direction this whole time. There was nothing of importance in the section of rooms we hid in. Out of so many directions it was choosing ours.

"What is that?" Poppy looked around before she took a flashlight.

"I don't know... but I think it knows we're here."

-Clank-THUD-

Heavy raspy breaths echoed through the vents.

Wait a minute- Raspy? "Theo?" I called out hesitantly. The answer was a deep groan and shuffle forward. Poppy's flashlight shone through the vent and for a quick glimpse i could see something.

I wasn't sure what I was looking at- but it was something. Rough black pads were pressed against the vent. I squinted. 

There was no way... 

were those-

"Toe beans?! Awwwww!!"

A loud hiss and bang came from the vents as the beans struggled to get out of plain view.

"Angel?" Dogday grumbled as he woke up.

"Wait- do you have beans too?" I asked quickly going to his paws. I picked them up and turned them into my view.

"What?"

I was met with black coarse toe(?) beans that were cracked. They were still pupper paw pads nonetheless. "Awwwwww!"

Terry immediately groaned and pulled his arms from my grip. "Angel!"

I'm not sure why I hadn't realized it before. Maybe it was because for once I had a chance to appreciate the little things?

There was a bang against the vent, then another.

"It's not possible..." Poppy muttered. She quickly ran to Kissy patting her shoulder quickly. "Kissy, wake up!" She turned to me. "I thought you killed him!"

"I severely injured him- but I got the job done! The red smoke was diverted that's all that matters isn't it?" I raised my hands for emphasis. "He's too injured to do any harm."

I flinched as the paw kicked the vent with enough force to send the cover falling onto the floor with a loud clank. If anyone of us were still half asleep this woke us up fully.

"No... No!" Poppy whimpered as she got on Kissy's shoulder.

I secured my grabpack once again and raised my arms toward Poppy. "It's fine! He's not going to do anything."

"If he found us, the prototype isn't far." She explained. "We have to go. Hurry!"

A deep voice echoed through the vents with such authority that I saw Terry's fur stand on end. My legs stiffened as I saw catnap's thick feet slide out of the vent. They dangled from the ceiling scratched up and bleeding with bruises i hadn't seen prior.