One-shot book

Overgrown

The sky was changing from inky purple to light pink with the sun's rising. The caws of crows filing twitching ears, a low rumble leaving the perch they jumped and danced around. A long furred tail lased out at crow that jumped to close to it, it rumbled and began to squirm. This caused the crows to spring back from behind it, and move in front of it.

Black eyes opened coming to stare at the two crows that settled there, it let out a raspy hum as it leaned down. Black tinted red petals fell from its head, falling tangled in its long hair. Its breath fogged from its mouth, a tar like goop dripping from pale lips as its head tilted. 

The two crows hopped about in front, holding a silvery chain while the other held a large squirming grub. It hummed with a smile, vines covering its face digging small thorns into its flesh. It grunted as it pulled their arm from the dirt, the roots and vines ripping and snapping quietly. The ripped plants seemed to hiss wrapping tightly around the appendage as it reached out to the pet the crows. The larger one preened under the attention cawing softly as it dropped the chain. 

It cooed in reply, taking it from the ground. The chain was thin, the silver reflecting the pink sky. A few green and blue crystals were embedded in its links. It grinned with a pleased hum, the vines groaning once more, it placed it in the nest sat perfectly on its head. Making sure the chain was placed tightly in the sticks and feathers of the structure, it tilted it head and placed its hand in exaggerated fashion. Seemingly asking the two crows if it looked well, the large one jumped in glee letting out a throaty caw. 

The other crow hopped forward, seemingly upset that it was ignored, it huffed as it took the grub from its beak. The crow's feathers puffed in pride as it squeezed the fat grub, causing it to squirm in between the creatures long fingers. It's sharp nails cut into the grubs chubby skin, humming it popped the grub in its mouth with practiced ease. No disgust covered its face, only a large grin as it pet its neck. It closed its eyes once more, though still awake as the crows returned to dancing about it. The other crows gathered around its back crowed as they joined in with the  two. It was quiet for a long while, interrupted by the caws of the bird. 

Til a repetitive thumped echoed in the distance, it tilted it head upwards, eyes opening. It became stock still. The sound of breathing became louder with the thumping. A man appeared pushing past the tree line. It stayed still as he stood tall, taking in sight of him. Kamchatka lily covered him, gently sprouting from his shoulders and head. 

"Damn crow!" He seethed, his face was flushed red from running, "Give me my shit back!" He stalked towards the creature, stopping a few feet away.

"Of course thieving birds would make home out of a creepy overgrown statue." He huffed, he made his way over the winding roots and rocks around the 'statue'. Reaching out her tucked his fingers into the lovely nest causing the circling crows to yell out. The stillness of the creature broke the moment his fingers touched the silver chain. 

It's arm shot forward, long, clawed fingers curling around his thick wrist. A gurgling hiss left its lips, the tar oozing from its mouth. The man jerked back ripping his arm way, falling back as the creature lunged for ward, only stopping as the ground the embedding its limbs keeping it at bay. His breath fogged in front of his face, his chest heaving from where he fell on his ass few feet away.

"What the hell'' he yelled, crawling back, holding his arm up. The creature could taste the fear that sparked in the air, but it slowly faded into curiosity. He pulled himself up, his hand still in front of him. The creature kept its eyes locked on his fingers. Eyes caught on the roots and stems wrapped around his fingers, a few blooms edged around his knuckles. It's eyes caught on the shiny ring, the crows started to return to their spots.