"Without sacrifice," it said, "you'll have nothing..."

There was a need to feed. A thirst for the beautiful liquid that was warm in its belly, that filled it with such a heavy comfort that when it was without blood, it could not thrive. So it moved with haste among the trees, clicking their teeth thoughtfully with each step. They were reaching out with their senses, trying to feel even the faintest sign of life in the vast regions of the Summit. It was far away from the comfort of its cave, but it had been so long since its prior meal that it had grown desperate.

The wind swayed the branches it clasped to, and as time went one the creature felt as if there would be another day that went by without a full belly. But then there was movement, not just the sway of the wind, but actual movement from deeper within the trees. The Screecher took pause, waiting with baited breath for yet another sign of what might be coming. And then... like a gift bestowed from the heavens above there was the presence of another. The creature was obviously much larger than itself, walking quietly among the branches.

At once the pulsing thrum of blood graced the its ears, causing a shiver to run along the Screecher's spine. At last, a decent meal! Without a second thought the creature was letting out its signature call, piercing the ears of the filly before it launched itself onto her shoulder.

the Rift

image