Predator Lurking in the Waters

Chapter 6: The Taste of Fruit

To his surprise, with little force, the creature ripped the fruit wide open, and began devouring it in fever. Its hunger was ravenous, and it took no time for the mer to swallow the fruit whole. Richard knew it was vicious, had felt the wrath of its predation first hand, but the overzealous way it consumed its food was a very clear reminder of how dangerous it really was. If it ate the fruit like that, he rather not imagine how it would have eaten him.

Eagerly, its long tongue lapped away at the juices on its claws, sucking in the sweet taste of it. One fruit was obviously not enough to sate it, and though he knew it could not get up, watching it eat was enough to kick his survival senses into overdrive.

He shuddered, eyes slowly widening in disturbing fascination. The man knew that he had to leave, couldn't get caught by the creature, however he was frozen there, too enveloped in trepidation and sickly intrigue to move so he just watched.

Richard didn't know how long he was staring for, it could have been minutes to hours and he wouldn't been able to distinguish between them. He had to snap out of it—had to leave before...before what? The sudden realization dawned on him that it still couldn't move, couldn't run after him, and yet he was still afraid.

Of course he should be afraid, he told himself, he was traumatized. Had been in a struggle between life and death with the creature—it was ok to feel this way. Besides, he didn't know what the creature was capable of, and just because it's legs were injured did not mean it was completely helpless. If there was a will there was a way.

Slowly, he tried retreating away farther into the greenery. One tiny step back and then another, and he was almost completely back onto the forest grounds, out of sight—that is, until he stepped on a branch. The crunching sound of the branch being broken combined with his wincing had the creature's attention and it had ceased its licking. Its eyes went wide, nostrils flared, inhaling the air around, propelling its arms to turn itself around. Richard had been hidden enough. It couldn't see him. The foliage had encased his body with its shrubbery. He knew the beast couldn't smell him either. He had been throughly drenched in mud hours prior and reeked of the wet soil, but that didn't stop his heart from racing, pounding like it was going to break free.

It surveyed the area, is pupils now becoming large. A deep rumble came from its throat, almost growl, almost a hiss but richer and heavier. If Richard was to describe it, it sounded close to bellow, something akin to what a crocodile would make.

Then it suddenly stopped and began producing this strange clicking sound.

He didn't understand what it was doing, but he had this churning feeling in his stomach that it knew he was there—knew exactly where he was.

The prince fell back when its bright, vivacious eyes met with his, and then it opened its mouth to show Richard its rows of blades for teeth. It smiled, so sickly sweet and twisted, the color of the gelatinous fruit staining its teeth.

It licked its mouth.

It was miraculous how energetic it seemed after consuming that fruit. Moments before it looked on the verge of death, so weak and pale. Was that all it need for energy? Was it just resting? Playing with him and pretending to be meek so he could come closer and snatch him? Furthermore, how fast would it heal, track him down for revenge and rip him to shreds? It would definitely want revenge.

The ponders where enough to have him turning back for now, but something deep inside—although he told himself this would be the first and last time he'd feed the creature—demand that he return and take responsibility, no matter how terrified he was.

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A/N: Short chapter. I know. But I plan on putting it all together to make one big 5,000 chapter. So don't be alarmed if you see only one chapter in the future. Thanks for reading. Comments are always appreciated.