Demon's Genesis

Chapter 3

I don't know how long I was asleep, but when I finally came to, the sky was lit with a slight golden glow. The towering trees cast menacing shadows across the low-lying forest, yet somehow they didn't stripe across my sprawled form that laid still in the dying rays of sunlight. My eyes were unfocused and still full of sleep as I raised my head, grunting as a sharp bolt of pain shocked through my shoulder. I had probably slept in a bad position. Rolling over, in order to shield my tired eyes from the blazing sun, I let out a long groan of frustration, my head pounding with a headache that probably sourced from the fact that I had not consumed a drop of water the whole day.

Slowly heaving myself to my paws despite my muscles screams of protest, I stumbled a few steps to my right where the bank of Little River lay, almost collapsing next to it from pure exhaustion.

I lapped a few mouthfuls of the cool fresh stream water and almost immediately felt it flow through my body, giving me the energy I desperately needed.

Plop!

My head shot up. What was that?
I scanned the forest surrounding me, sucking in every detail, trying to figure out the source of the sound.

I heard it again, and I jumped in alarm. My head snapped around to where I'd identified where it'd come from—and I watched in surprise as a fish as large as my paw leapt out of the water of Little River once again.

A fish!

I had never eaten a fish before, but I already knew they were edible. I'd heard my mother and Pa talking about them.

I shuffled forward, wobbling as I peered over the rushing water. I focused so hard my eyes hurt.

There!

The fish jumped, and I stretched out my neck to snap it up with my jaws. My eyes were scrunched shut, so I was surprised when my jaws closed on empty air.

Curses Akalino.

I sat up, screwing up my damp muzzle as I  wiped off the shower of droplets the fish had flung through the air with a paw. Was this even worth it? An image of Kai's jeer and my mother's smug expression flashed to my brain. A new heat burst through my paws.
I shook my pelt, gathering together as much confidence as I could. Again, I leaned over as far as my body could manage without losing my balance. I peered into the torrent, trying to get a good view of the inhabitants of the water past the glaring reflection of the blue sky.

I waited patiently until my legs began to ache with the effort of holding my balance, but I ignored it. It would be worth it.

Only moments later, another fish leapt out of the water. I lunged for it but yet again, my jaws closed on empty air.

Before I could regain my balance and get a stable grip on the shore again, a third fish jumped out of the water—whacking me right in the cheek. It rebounded and landed a meter away from the water, flapping about frantically as an attempt to get back to the water.

I was just about to let out a trill of satisfaction, but before I could move a muscle or register what was happening, I fell into the water—Splash!

I went in head-first, my muzzle smashing onto the rocky riverbed. A jolt of pain zapped through the rest of my head like a bullet.
I shot up out of the water as fast as my shaken body could handle, still dizzy and reeling from the impact.

I fell again. Softly this time.

A gentle current tugged at my fur softly, I was laying in a somewhat awkward but comfortable position. I was still in shock from the unfortunate events that'd come to pass.