Chapter 2 – Feeding frenzy

I see a hazy vision of a dark room.

There was a wall adorned with numerous, lifelike portraits. It showed captivating scenes of nature and its various lifeforms, many of which appeared to be graceful hunters. There was also a sketch of a beast drawn in garish colors and wearing various talismans, on a crumpled and wetted piece of pearly white parchment.

In the other corner of the dark room stood a glowing canvas of sorts, bearing a more elaborate depiction of the beast in the sketch. Looking upon it, it caused me a mixed feeling of pride and sorrow.

A soft, tiny creature approached me from behind and touched my leg before the vision left me.

...

As the weeks went by, each one of the younglings has experienced another growth spurt. Runt experienced moments of heightened mental capability more consistently now, yet it did little more than torment her with cryptic visions of incomplete memories.

As the younglings were at least four times as large now, their hunger has grown just as much - to the point that Stalker was struggling to provide enough milk for all. Despite their teeth having grown to decent size already, Stalker avoided giving her offspring meat yet, as raw meat would still cause their bodies trouble.

The once-innocent playfighting has turned into a war for ressources, and each of the participants is suffering an increasing number of bloody scratches and bitemarks.

Those who refused to fight, which mainly included Runt, where given the short end of the stick when it came to their meals. The most fierce competitors were Fang and Fury once again, who could only feed in peace when they were seperated by Brute’s ever-growing bulk. However, it seemed that Fang was only able to persevere through his reckless disregard for any pain and wounds he suffered at Fury’s superior claws.

Swift somehow got by despite staying clear of any infighting – Runt claimed to witness her ripping chunks of flesh off a fat, poisonous toad a few nights ago.

Every single one of the younglings fought in their own way, but the gap in size and weight kept increasing between them, with Runt falling behind further and further. While she was lucky enough to be tolerated by Swift and fully ignored by the sluggish Brute, Fury suddenly kept running her off whenever Fang refused to back down.

After a few days, it became apparent why the aggression became more fierce – Using his overdeveloped teeth too eagerly, Fang has ripped a nasty wound in one of Stalker’s teats. Out of the nipple came milk no more, but a disgusting mix of puss and water. Lacking Swift’s hunting prowess, Runt would now have to settle for even less of the leftovers.

Her hunger grew more as her strength waned. A day later, after a few failed hunting attempts, she was ravenous and shivering. She refused to stay her ground against Fury unlike the reckless Fang, who just had gained a ripped ear from another bout.

The next day, it was leftovers again. Swift was kind enough to leave the half-eaten carcass of a poisonous newt behind, as much as it gave Runt stomach cramps for a while.

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„This is the end of the line for me!“ The little runt yelled in frustration after Fang rudely pushed her aside at the following feeding session. Even though Fury has left her bloody marks all over him, he could still shove around a weakling. Distraught, Runt went to the forest clearing. It was a starless night.

„I see that you have given up“, Gemini remarked from his usual perch near the cave.

„Do you think it is funny to watch me starve? I could try eating you instead“, Runt replied in a tired manner.

„I just fulfill my task as an observer. And yes, it is. Both you and I know there is no way for you to snatch me off this branch now“, the crow explained with a bored tone. „I guess this is farewell. It was fun while it lasted, so I might consider making a meal of your corpse if that makes you happier“. Ending the discussion with these parting words, Gemini flew off.

Trailing back to the nest, Runt observed her competitors once again. At this point she, who failed to catch a toad, would have to take her seat at the table by force ... or perish. Her fangs, like the others’, have grown considerably and could kill if the vitals were struck.

But who to bring down? Brute was clearly too large to take on, Fury was no option either. Swift has even been helping her stay alive to this point. So it was only Fang left as a viable target.

„Fang doesnt act like it, but he is covered in wounds and has lost blood. He is skinnier than a few days before and moves somewhat slowly, but he is also the only one to fight against that crazy bitch Fury“, Runt thought to herself as she scanned Fang’s wounded body.

...

Fang may have been born stronger than Runt, but he was a reckless fool also. Refusing to back down against his much more aggressive sister left him scarred and exhausted. Runt never really hated Fang, but considering that this situation was caused by him in the first place, what she was about to do may as well have been justified punishment.

Runt stalked around Fang, carefully observing his body while everone but her was busy suckling. The dark fur has been matted and crusted, yet through the lack of bodyfat, his muscles trained by numerous fights were clearly visible. Beneath him, a few droplets of fresh blood have stained the nest, and he was breathing heavily.

Runt snuck up to Fang, closer and closer. His neck and throat were already wetted with blood, so this was where she would strike. Fury may have already attempted to murder Fang, failing due to her inexperience, but Runt would now finish the job. Finally, she was sitting right next to Fang’s head.

Fang shortly interrupted his suckling and growled to intimidate Runt, like many times before. Before Fang could let go of the nipple however, Runt already shot forward, biting down into Fang’s wounded neck.

This was her first time fighting seriously, and as expected, Fang started yelling and rampaging at full force upon the unexpected attack. Fang flailed around with his claws, scratching Runt on the hind leg and her side, and kept jumping and rolling onto his back, slamming Runt’s head against the ragged cave walls.

Runt fought through the ringing pain, digging teeth and claws into her brother, holding on to dear life. Somehow finding the strength to bite down even harder, she started tasting fresh blood, not knowing whether it was his or hers.

Finally exhausting his adrenaline rush, Fang’s breathing became more and more ragged until he finally collapsed to his side. Runt’s rapid breaths made bubbles in Fang’s blood-soaked fur, her numb jaws clamping down so hard she could hardly let go of her brother. Eventually she pulled herself free, and slowly circled around Fang’s body.

Almost like an emperor watching a colliseum battle, mother Stalker has been silently observing the struggle with discerning eyes. Old wounds have opened all over Fang’s body, and the cave floor was covered in fresh, bloody smears.

But it seemed the battle was not quite over just yet, as Fang snapped his jaws in Runt’s direction and slowly rose to his legs once again, his breathing being accompanied by a horrible gargling sound. Runt braced herself once again, her hope of an easy victory slowly dwindling. She had the headstart now, but even on death’s door, Fang struck out with his claw hard enough to send her skittering.

As she was backtreating in panic and barely avoided his large namesake teeth, exhaustion was catching up to Runt as well. She could run away no more.

Fang lunged forward with his last strength and bit down on Runt’s wounded hind leg, making her hiss sharply in pain.

In turn, Runt bit down on Fang’s throat now, getting hold of the jugular and suddenly having her mouth flooded with an all too familiar iron taste. Neither would let go of the other till the bitter end, and the crushing force upon Runt’s leg would not subside.

An agonizingly long embrace of death later, the pressure from Fang’s jaws would slowly lessen. The runt was finally victorious. Tonight she would feast properly for the first time in long.

„Rest in peace, brother“, she thought to herself in a haze before collapsing, black markings spreading over her grey body.