| Subject: PART ONE |
Author:
Dakkan
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 02:17:40 09/30/03 Tue
In reply to:
Dakkan
's message, "Aaargh!" on 02:15:09 09/30/03 Tue
The ominously gray sky hung over the beach with asphyxiating heaviness. Rain poured from above in sheets, and dazzling flashes of lighting lit up the scene. Gale-force winds bent young trees double and toppled sturdy old growths with ease, howling like a dying beast.
A young ferret sobbed for breath as he tried to pull himself ashore. His reddish-brown fur was plastered to his skin; his soaked clothes weighed him down in the water. A large wave reared overhead, slamming down on the young beast and forcing him off his footpaws. His breath ragged and his limbs exhausted, the ferret swam against the water that threatened to pull him back into the sea. Another huge breaker came from behind and sent him tumbling in a mass of saltwater and foam.
He came to rest on the wet sand as the water retreated back. Grunting with exertion, the young ferret dug his claws into the sand and dragged himself further up, away from the reach of the larger waves. He finally came to rest at the foot of a sand dune and lost consciousness, the rain still battering at his exhausted body.
Salpik Saltwhisker sat on the edge of a small tidepool, casting nets for that morning’s shrimp breakfast. The sea otter Skipper breathed deeply, enjoying the clear morning. It was nice and peaceful after the night’s big storm. Salpik put his footpaws idly into the pool with his nets, relishing the gentle breeze that ruffled his whiskers.
All around the lone fisher, the holt began to come alive. Otterwives bustled outside to the nearby freshwater stream to wash vegetables or clothing; the young ones ran out to play.
After a time, Salpik checked his nets and noticed that a respectable amount of shrimp had already become entangled in the strong kelp fibers. He gathered the ends and had begun pulling it in when one of the little otterkits bounded up to him. “Skip! Dere be a very very wetted beast onna sand dunes. Me t’ink he be dead, Skip…”
Salpik pulled the net out of the water and set it on the sand. Pulling the outside strings to draw it closed into a bag, he let go and faced the kit. “Dead, young Brine? Show me what yore talkin’ about, mate!”
The kit grabbed Salpik’s tail enthusiastically and pulled him along. “Cummon, Mista Skip. Grownbeasts be so slow!”
The walk wasn’t far. In fact, it was only a minute later when Salpik noticed the beast in question, though it appeared to him that a misshapen lump of flesh and fur was lying there instead of a creature – living or dead. “Stay back, young matey,” the sea otter cautioned, leaving Brine behind on the tideline. Salpik almost tiptoed to the fur lump, trying to stay light on his paws so as not to disturb it. If it was alive.
“What is it, Skip?” Brine called in a loud whisper.
Salpik’s expression was grim as he whispered back, “Brine, go get yore father. An’ Breaker, too!”
The ferret felt warm sunlight on his eyelids as he began to come around. There was a nasty taste in his mouth and his fur was still plastered to him, but he was alive. He opened his eyes slowly, wincing a few times as the salt water stung them. He shifted slightly and gritted his teeth against the pain of sore muscles. Finally summoning the strength, he rolled on his back and opened his eyes fully.
Three burly sea otters stood over him, staring with grave faces and armed with harpoons.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 