Chapter 8
Scrawny watched some of the younger sligs jump about in the trees. He could tell this bunch were just getting used to living a life without pants, as they often slipped and fell onto the safety of a net that was hung underneath them. The particular section of forest they were practicing on was designated as the ‘newbie area’, hence the net.
Scrawny sighed, he was incredibility bored and wanted something to do. He looked at the youngsters again.
Can I learn ter der that? he wondered thoughtfully, Well…don’ know unless I try…. He padded over to the ‘newbie area’ and climbed up one of the trees. The other sligs honked in surprise when they saw him.
“Hey…Nerik,” one said, “Don’ mean any disrepect but yer a little old ter be trying this…”
“Not ter mention ya kind of need two eyes…” another said.
“I’m not old…” Scrawny scowled, “I’m chronically challenged. ‘Sides yer can der anything if yer put yer mind ter it.”
“Yeah right…” a third laughed, “Prove us wrong then.”
“Alright I will…” Scrawny sneered as he gathered himself to attempt a jump. He leaped, but fell way short and landed on the net below. He quickly climbed back up and tried again, only with the same result. He refused to give up, and kept trying. Finally after a long while, he collapsed on a tree branch, exhausted. He fought back the tears that were trying to come.
“Hey..” one of the young sligs said, “Yer gave it yer best shot, and that’s what really matters.”
“I…will NOT give up on this…” Scrawny sneered, “I will do it! No matter how long it takes me!”
“That is one determined slig…” one of the other sligs muttered…
It’s been a little over a month since he was rescued, and Spider was wandering in the forest not far from the village. He was completely healed now, but he still couldn't remember anything of his past. He was starting to wonder if he will ever remember who he was. Not only that, but he couldn't figure out why some of the local sligs were so nervous around him, and they wouldn't tell him either. Bea had said to just give them time and they will accept him. He was doubtful though, he could sense their fear when he was near them. Why are they so afraid of me? he thought, I haven't done anything to them...
He thoughts were interrupted when his stomach growled painfully, making him wince. He then realized that he had been wandering for almost the entire day without eating anything. I better get back to the village. he thought as he started on his way back. He jumped when a mud appeared in front of him unexpectedly.
"There you are Spike." the mud said, "Bea was getting worried about you and sent me to find you."
Spider's eyes suddenly narrowed as strange feeling came over him. He lowed his head in a predatory stance, his muscles tensing up in preparation. The mud was visibly nervous at Spider's reaction and started backing away.
"Um...If this is a bad time I can just go back and tell her that your busy..." the mud stammered.
Spider advanced, his long forgotten predatory instincts having completely taken over. His body tensed a moment, the pupils of his eyes constricting, and he charged. The mud screeched and dove to one side, barely dodging Spider's attack.
"What the F*** is up with you!" the mud cried as he Spider readied himself for another attack. Again Spider charged and the mud quickly scampered up a nearby tree. Spider growled angrily at him. "Nah nah! You too big to climb up here!" the mud teased, fairly certain he was safe. Spider's eyes narrowed again, and to the muds surprise, grabbed a hold of the tree and starting climbing up after him.
"Impossible!" the mud said in shock and horror as Spider climbed up the tree at a rapid pace. The mud leapt to a branch on another tree, but Spider quickly did the same. Spider continued to chase him, jumping from tree limb to tree limb much quicker then the mud thought could be possible for one his size. Clearly panicked now, the mud screamed for help as the continued to jump from tree to tree, trying desperately to keep a good distance from Spider. Then the mud jumped onto a branch and realized that there was no place else to go other then down and that was quite away down. He felt the branch jar as Spider landed on it and he pressed himself against the trunk, whimpering.
"Please don't hurt me.." the mud whined as Spider advanced. Spider was about to attack when the branch suddenly snapped. He clawed at the air fruitlessly as he fell, landing with a hard 'thud' on the forest floor, knocking him out...
yes yes i know Spider is getting knocked out alot here...this is the last chap that he does get knocked out (at least for a little while anyway...)
[ June 13, 2001: Message edited by: Dragadon ]
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