Chapter 13
By the late afternoon had rolled around, Spider and the rest of the group had explored a good portion of the enclosure. As soon as they made it back to the double doors, all save for Spider and Shriek, plopped down exhausted.
“Ooohhhh.” Kilk groaned as he laid on his back, “I am going to be so sore in the morning….”
“I second that…” Charr whined as he licked his sore paws.
“Third…” mumbled a nearly asleep Hoth.
“I think you wore them out.” Shriek chuckled.
“With time they’ll get used ter travelin’ fer long periods.” Spider said with a smile as he looked over the exhausted group, all of who were laying down.
After a few moments the doors opened and the feeders came out with their dinner. They all eagerly got up and started eating their fill, well all save for Invy…who was picking at her portion. Spider went up to her, concerned.
“Yer need ter eat Invy. Yer will need the energy.” He said.
“I can’t eat this…” Invy whined, “Not after finding out where it came from…”
“Invy…” Spider sighed, “I told yer, we are predators and predators eat other animals.”
“But we are intelligent predators.” Invy countered, “One’s that can make choices as to what we eat.”
“That is true. But the only plentiful food item that will be out here is other animals. So we have no choice.”
“There is always a choice!” Invy growled, “and I’ll prove it to you! I’m going to find some fruit or something!” With that Invy bolted.
Spider let out an angry howl and went after her. His howl caused the others to jump; they had never heard such a sound before. They watched as Spider quickly caught up with Invy, knock her to the ground, and pin her.
“Now yer listen ter me!” they heard Spider growl, “We can’t afford ter go experimentin’ with eatin’ unknown plant life! There are many plants out there that are poisonness and would make yer very sick if not kill yer!”
“But…” they heard Invy whine, “You have been living out here…wouldn’t you know…”
“I know about some…but not enough of them ter eat as yer only source of food, Invy.” They saw Spider release her and allow her to stand up.
“Look…” Spider said softly, “I understand how yer feel…I know it was a shock ter see the faces of what yer been eatin’ all yer life.”
Invy just sniffed, her head hung low.
“Look…” Spider said, “next time I get the chance, I’ll ask Steinix if he could have the feeders start giving us some fruits and stuff every once in a while, but meat will still be are primary source of food. Until then…yer will have ter make der with what we are given…ok?”
“O…k.” Invy muttered and Spider nuzzled her. He lead her back and she started to eat the rest of her food; somewhat slowly…but she ate all of it.
“Spider.” Hoth asked as Spider settled down with the rest of them, “What was that sound you made?”
“Yeah…we never heard anything like that before…” Felth said.
“That was a howl.” Spider said with a smile.
“It’s one of many sounds Spider and I use to communicate with each other when not using words.” Shriek added.
“I suppose how to make and use this sounds will be one of your lessons.” Hoth mused.
“That is correct, but not until mornin’.“ Spider said, “as I know yer lot are ter tired ter learn anythin’ right now.”
“Ain’t that the truth…” Kilk said with a yawn.
“Well then…” Spider said as snuggled up next to Shriek, “Get some sleep, trainin’ starts in the mornin’”
Too tired and exhausted to really care that they are sleeping outside for the first time, they all curled up and fell asleep….
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