⋆ carmine permeates the ground and surrounding trees, iron tinge tainting the air. this is the site of yet another poor human's death. there is still a body to bury, but not much of it ⸻ their form torn through and shredded, chunks taken out of the corpse, some so deep there are flashes of bone. the gore is everywhere, and in the middle of it all stands the perpetrator. it cradles the remains close, almost gentle, but the savagery with which it tears flesh from bone contrasts immensely. yet there suddenly came a presence. their head raises, turns; eyes narrowed. who dares to disturb it on such a peaceful night? ⋆