no one really knows what the ocean hides
but you and I, bird, we’re gonna find out
Reia doesn’t yet know how to play, how to interact with other children. She only knows mother and father – knows of their family’s predatory behavior. They flashed their teeth when they thoughts her asleep, but she watched through her eyelashes as they enticingly snarled and spoke of their hunts. That will be her one day, she thought to herself as her tongue ran across the small pins peeking through her gums.
Enough time has elapsed since then, but Reia has only been fortunate enough to scavenge and find remnants of squirrels and mice. Untaught but eager. It’s only a matter of time until mother and father will take her on a hunt with them. In the meantime, here in this odd Playground, she sates her hunger with a small morsel found underneath a tree before lifting her silver eyes to see a solitary girl approximately her age.
But what is customary?
The girl isn’t her mother, or even a sister, so does that make her as much of prey as the deer and squirrels?
Quietly, Reia runs her side along the bark of the tree with her eyes always remaining intently on the girl. One step, then another. Each one brings her closer but the silence of her footsteps ends when a twig cracks and a few leaves rustle underfoot. With a low growl of disappointment in herself, Reia decides to lurch forward the last few strides. ”Boo!” It’s the first thing that comes to mind since her cover had already been blown and the element of surprise gone.
But then she is at a loss.
She lunges forward, clamping her pin-like teeth on the girl’s mohawk of a mane. It isn’t a murderous attempt. Actually, Reia isn’t quite sure what it is or what she’s doing. The situation’s unfamiliarity unsettles her, but she isn’t afraid (I’m a predator). She snorts as she slides the hair through her mouth while retracting, staring confusedly at the girl now.
and I'll be next to you when the lights go out
