As Ruut fell, chtok wasn't no time reaching out, trying to catch his friend. His hand grasped for of Ruut's loincloth, but it was just out of his grasp. Chtok's footing failed.
They were both going to fall. They were both going to die.
In a split second, everything changed. From behind, Ruut felt an odd stretching. Something stretching outward from his spine. The new sensations and a flood of adrenaline stormed his mind. The world was a confusing blur. Chtok meanwhile felt a similar sensation. He was suddenly being pulled back by a new weight. This weight shifted, flicking and readjusting with ease. Gravity was its toy, and it had not trouble manipulating it to find the perfect balance.
Into Chtok's outstretched hand snaked a furry, black tufted golden tube. Ruut's new tail. He wasted no time grasping it, pulling back on it. He heard a yelp. Unused to his adrenaline spiked strength, he over did it and his friend was suddenly flailing without control in his direction.
New instincts emerged in Chtok's mind as his hands clenched in a strange faux-animal claw and tail curled in anticipation. He felt Ruut's body hit and suddenly he was the one falling. His hands met the bark. From their tips shot thick black claws. Sharp and curved, they dug deep into the wood and pulled against Chtok's fall. Twisting his tail, his instincts guided him into deft crouch against the side of the branch.
Looking up, he saw a smiling, out of breath Ruut and a similarly clawed hand reaching down for him. Pulled to safety, both boys instantly collapsed fell to their backs against the thick branch.
For a moment, both simply breathed. The air was peppered with light, high pitched pants.
Ruut sat up, hand clearing his long hair from his face. Chtok followed. The boys shared a slight smile.
"Rob?" Chad asked the other boy.
"Yes Chad?" he replied.
"Why the fuck do I have a tail?!"