I awoke to the same old darkness of the forest. Somehow though, my instincts knew it was day break.
I looked over at the others.
We had all decided to sleep in this old, hollowed out log, from a tree that fell- who knows when?
Anyway, John and Lucy were still asleep.
Now John I can understand. Full humans don’t usually wake up at the crack of dawn. But Lucy? Wasn’t she supposed to be on guard anyway?
Maybe SHE can protect herself and I can certainly just spray the attacker, but John had no natural defensives.
I stopped midthought.
I was still thinking about John’s safety.
Hmh! He can take care of himself. He didn’t want my help earlier so I won’t give it to him now.
Not unless he apologizes and let’s me turn him into a skunk-human.
He doesn’t even have to be my mate! I just want another skunk in the forest! But does he understand? Noooo, he just wants to be with his little girlfriend crocodile.
Huuuhhhhh...
Complaining has never done me any good, so why keep going?
Suddenly my ears perk up.
Something in a nearby bush just moved...
I peered into the hege.
There was nothing to be seen, unless you love starring at leaves.
( I know I don’t. )
Then I heard it again. This time from behind.
Whipping around I whispered, “Who’s there?”
But of course, no one answered.
Figures. If I was spying on someone, I definitely wouldn’t come out if they asked me to.
Then I heard snickering in the bushes I had looked at first.
“Hehe! Oh my, aren’t we jumpy!” a female voice said, processed with more snickers.
A squirrel-lady walked soothingly out from under the brush.
I raised my tail slightly.
“And just who are you again?” I didn’t remember ever meeting this squirrel-lady.
Others sure, but then again, we are a long way away from our starting point.
I realized for the first time that I had not been to this part of the jungle. Yup, this jungle was without consolidation, extremely huge!
“So, what’s a skunk like you doing with an alligator and a humannnn.... wait. Is that a real, full male human?!” She gasped.
“Yes, and he’s sleeping, so don’t wake him up!” I responded, almost angerly.
What right did she have to go snooping around, finding out if there were 3 people or 10? None!
I sighed. “What do you want?” I asked.
“The human male, please.” The squirrel-lady said, as if it was no big deal.
I just stared at her. Had she really just said that? Or was I dreaming?
“Uh, Yeah, no.” I said, wondering if she was just joking. Apparently she wasn’t.
“I’ll fight you for him then!” she smiled. Was this all just a game to her!?
“Again, no.” I said, starting to get anoyed. Was she actually crazy enough to fight me? One whiff of my spray up close, could make a grown man faint. Just ask John. Actually don’t ask him, since he still hasn’t woken up yet.
“Look, you get your tail out of here, your I’m going to make your life stink. Literally.” I said, starring derectly at her.
- a pause -
“Sssso?” she said glancing at her clawed fingernails. She appeared to not really be listening. At least, that was the look she was giving.
My face flushed under my fur.
Game. On.