Glittering Irritation [O]

Inside the cave Otem stiffened. She could hear hoof-falls - relatively loud ones by the sound of things -  getting louder and louder. Simple deductive reasoning told her that meant the owner of those hooves was getting closer and closer, but didn't tell her what she should do about it. Her first instinct was to flee deeper into the cave and avoid whatever confrontation might lay ahead all together. If she was quiet enough, perhaps her own exit would go unnoticed. Had she moved since she began to hear the footsteps coming closer? Would whoever was out there already be alerted of her presence? Would hiding herself be futile? >>Too big to hide<< Pandora noted silently. The melanistic owl clung to the curl's of Otem's mane, seemingly neutral on the subject of whether to stay or to go. "Fine!" Otem hissed, knowing that her companion was correct. Besides, she didn't actually know how far the cave went. It was entirely possible that there was a deadend just around the next bend, and then Otem would be in no better position than she was now. Steeling her nerve and forcing down the wave of anxiety that threatened to drown her, Otem took a breath. "Is someone there?" Otem called, trying to sound inquisitive and lighthearted, rather than childish and panicky. Taking another small breath, the long-legged child began to move towards the sound.  otem I'm a cold day in august, I'm a stream too shallow. I'm a heart-shaped box with no letter inside.

^{Image Credits}