The Mating Run

Chapter 19

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Startled from sleep, | heard the blaring sirens pierce through the silence.

My eyes flutter open, and | immediately feel a cool breeze brush against my face. Confusion and sleep clouded my senses as | strained to make sense of the blaring announcement, each number a grim reminder of lives lost. With sweat. dripping down my neck, | anxiously scanned my surroundings, my heart beating rapidly for no apparent reason.

| looked around and realized | was the only person there. Feeling the coldness on my lap, | realized that Zeke must have left hours ago.

“Zeke?”

I called out, and the echo in the empty cave magnified the trembling anxiety in my voice. The silence hung in the air, with no reply to be heard. The deafening silence of the cave intensified my panic as | frantically searched for any trace of him.

Fear clenched my stomach as | cautiously surveyed the shadows, half-expecting him to appear with that mischievous grin, yet the cave remained

devoid of sound.

But then, another thought sneaks its way into my mind.

The bag. Did he ditch me? Did he steal back what | took?

Struggling to find my way in the dim light, my fingers finally connected with the bag, and a brief sense of relief washed over me. As | unzipped the bag, a wave of anxiety washed over me, my fingers trembling in response.

Opening the bag, | was surprised by what | found inside, catching me off guard.

My anxious eyes were greeted by a mouthwatering display of food.

More food. More berries. A rabbit carcas s.

ml

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Zeke hadn’t taken, instead, he had generously given.

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Confusion melted away, replaced by a medley of thankfulness and amazement.

“Zeke?”

| called again, my voice quieter than before, tinged with a sense of both gratitude and wonder. No response. Within the cave, a profound silence enveloped me, accentuated only by the dancing shadows cast by the flickering firelight.

Asmile tugged at my lips, a whirlwind of emotions battling for dominance.

He cared. He cared, in a twisted sort of way.

My lips curled into a small smile as | plucked a few berries, savoring the taste of my unexpected breakfast in this tranquil oasis. As | pop some of them into my mouth, | can’t help but hum in delight at their delectable sweetness.

As | turned around, ready to face whatever was out there, | saw the wall.

My breath hitched as | read the words written on the wall of the cave.

‘Now, we're even.

As | looked at the rabbit carcas s/again, | couldn’t help but wish that the words were written with the natural pigments of berries, instead of the chilling reminder of blood. Nevertheless, the thought didn’t deter the smile that tugged at my lips and the inner warmth that blossomed.

Zeke’s way of settling scores was kinda funny.

At that moment, in the middle of all the uncertainty at the Mating Run, | unexpectedly started to really like Zeke. Cradling the berries in my hands, their vibrant colors and juicy feel brought an immediate smile to my face, a silent thank you to Zeke. A shift occurred, and unexpectedly, | felt a warm fondness growing inside me.

“Even.”

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| muttered to myself, a soft chuckle escaping my lips, my smile lingering.

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Sitting there, enjoying the taste of the berries, | couldn’t help but notice the distant sound of sirens, as if they were miles away. The numbers were nothing compared to the message on the cave wall.

“Alright, we’re even, | guess.”

| repeated the word, hoping that its sound could ground the fleeting emotions swirling inside me.

Satiated by the berries, my eyes fixate on the rabbit carc as s lying in front of me, a tempting feast awaiting my consumption.

| examine it closely, my eyes filled with a combination of determination and uncertainty, as my fingertips gently trace its curves. The cr ackling fire in the corner of the cave fills the air with warmth and casts mesmerizing shadows on the walls.

“Okay, little rabbit, let’s see what we can do.”

As | search the cave, | come across some smooth stones that | can use as makeshift utensils, their weight comforting in my hands. The twigs sca ttered around feel rough and splintered against my fingertips as | begin assembling a rudimentary contraption. The culinary experiment is raw and daring, and a sense of amusement begins to bubble up within me.

With a few stones carefully placed, | position the twigs over the fire, creating a makeshift grill that emits a tantalizing aroma. As | place the rabbit on my primitive cooking apparatus, | can hear the cra ckling of the flames and smell the aroma of the sizzling meat.

Thankfully, the animal has already been skinned and cleaned, sparing me from the gruesome task. If it hadn’t been stripped of its skin, | would have been clueless about what to do.

As the delicious scent of roasting rabbit permeates the cave, my stomach can’t help but rumble in anticipation. It is no longer solely focused on survival; it has become about optimizing the use of our available resources.

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“Here goes nothing!”

| mutter under my breath, using the crude utensil | have fashioned to carefully flip the rabbit. The flames flicker and sway, casting a warm glow that makes the surroundings feel strangely comforting.

As the rabbit cooks, it emits a mouthwatering sizzle and a tantalizing aroma that makes my mouth water.

“Looks like I’m having a feast tonight, Mr. Rabbit.”

With a wide grin, | speak, my words resonating within the cave’s enclosed walls. | sit mesmerized by the flickering firelight, its warm glow casting a comforting aura around me.

“Bon appétit, Mr. Rabbit.”

Flashing a playful grin, | speak with lightheartedness, acknowledging the gastronomic journey about to unfold. Gripping my makeshift utensils tightly, | eagerly dig into the succulent meat, savoring the burst of flavors with the first bite.

As | take a bite, the flavor explodes on my taste buds, creating a symphony of warmth and tenderness that makes me hum with satisfaction. With my eyes closed, | can taste the explosion of flavors in every bite of the well-cooked meal.

“Mmm, not bad at all.”

Between bites, | mumble, the words barely escaping my lips.

My taste buds dance with delight as | indulge in the rabbit, all the while pondering the sheer absurdity of it all. Amidst the chaos of the Mating Run, | take a moment to enjoy a meal prepared over a makeshift fire in a cave. A carefree chuckle bubbles up inside me, breaking the silence with its joyful resonance.

“You and me, Mr. Rabbit, making the best out of a crazy situation!”

With each word | utter, the satisfying crunch of roasted meat resonates in the background.

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Each savory bite brings me a profound sense of happiness and peace. The cr ackling fire casts dancing shadows on the cave walls, as the rabbit vanishes into nothingness, leaving only a trail of bones behind.

“Thank you, Mr. Rabbit.”

With the last morsel of rabbit gone, | sink back against the cave wall, relishing in the taste still lingering on my tongue.

Within the cave, days blend together into a hushed and monotonous rhythm.

The berries become my steadfast companions, their sweet taste providing comfort amidst the uncertainty of the Mating Run. Their simple flavors provide me with solace, and | savor each one as if it embodies the essence of survival.

Lounging against the cave wall, | relish the taste of the juicy berries, savoring each bite. Inside my newfound sanctuary, the chaos of the outside world feels. distant, like a fading echo.

As time goes on, the cave transforms into my personal refuge. As | sit by the fire, the flickering flames create a cozy ambiance, filling the air with a comforting warmth. | embrace the solitude, relishing the peacefulness it provides as a break from the ceaseless chase of the Mating Run.

One day, a sudden impulse seizes me, urging me to take action.

“Why not a bath?”

Glancing towards the entrance of the cave, | muse aloud, making sure no one is watching. The forest outside whispers tales of danger, its rustling leaves and distant howls creating an eerie ambiance.

With a deep breath, | gather my courage and approach the cool waters of a nearby stream, feeling the refreshing mist on my face. The water against my skin sends shivers down my spine, simultaneously invigorating and calming me.

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With my hair dripping and energy renewed, | return to the cave and resume my spot by the cra ckling fire. The borries beckon to me, their vibrant colors and sweet scont luring me closer.

As | indulge in my berry feasts and moments of solitude, | can feel a growing sense of vitality permeating through my body. The cave, once a place of solace, has transformed into an impenetrable fortress of strength. Each day brings a renewed sense of hope and a reminder that survival means more than just avoiding danger- it means cherishing moments of tranquility and self- nurturing.

As | stir from my sleep one morning, | hear the cave’s shadows rustling on the walls, just like always. | grab the rest of the berries, my breakfast in this lonely place.

The berries, my sweet saviors of the day, are about to satisfy my hunger when a noise interrupts the silence.

Footsteps. Right outside the cave.

Like icy fingers, panic tightens its grip on me, causing me to freeze with the berries held motionless in my hand.

Each breath | take hitches, creating a symphony of fear in my chest. The cave, once a sanctuary, now echoes with the eerie sounds of dripping water and distant echoes. With each step, the sound of the approaching footsteps reverberates ominously against the rocky walls. | strain my ears, desperately hoping that the faint whispers are just a figment of my anxious imagination. Like a sudden storm, reality crashes in with an overwhelming force.

Beyond the cave’s mouth, | can make out the silhouette of someone, their figure barely visible in the dim light. As the berries slip from my grasp, their luscious sweetness fills the air, momentarily forgotten in the face of imminent danger. My heart races, its frantic beats echoing through my chest.

My mind is filled with a whirlwind of a million different scenarios. They are likely

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Hunters, their keen senses attuned to the scent of my fear. The cave, once

peaceful, now reverberates with the taunting echoes, reminding me of the unknown intruder’s proximity.

“No, no, no.”

| whisper to myself, hoping it will scare away the danger. The cave’s shadows used to be my quiet buddies, but now they're turning into creepy ghosts that remind me of being vulnerable.

My throat suddenly feels tight, and the cave, once a place to hide, now feels claustrophobic. Each step becomes a louder reminder that my sanctuary is nothing but a fantasy. | rush further into the cave, my breath coming in quick gasps.

| can’t look away from the cave’s entrance. The footsteps stop, and the cave becomes deadly silent, making me terrified.

Am | remotely knowledgeable about defending myself? Not really. But will summon all my strength and courage to protect myself? Absolutely. Plus, I’ve already outsmarted two Hunters, and I’m confident the next one won't fare any better.

Gripping the stone tighter, | can’t help but notice my bag sitting nearby, beckoning me. With only a handful of berries and a few biscuits remaining, | begin to see this as a fortunate turn of events. Sooner or later, | have to venture out of the cave and face what awaits me. Hiding indoors won’t benefit me, especially since | still need to find a mate to finish the Mating Run.

The sound of footsteps grows louder and closer with each passing moment.

Trying to keep calm, | quickly reach for a nearby stone, ready to defend myself if necessary.

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