OOC: Ok, I'm gonna apologize for the length right now
I try once again to convince myself that what just happened didn't. Everything is still dark and the shaking has stopped. I think, that's enough. The shaking is over and we're still here...that's something...everything after this has to be ok as well.
I glance to the figure still pacing back and forth anxiously, trying to find some way out...that's what we've been doing for the past, well I've lost count of how long from my own world crashing down around me to the stop of the chaos took.
I'll still never forget the look on my father's face as the fire raining down hit him and sent him hurtling to the ground...and to his fate in the beyond world of the dead. The last of my parents and immediate family. I'd have probably stood there in shock myself until I hit my own end if it hadn't been for Petrie pushing me into this cave we'd found in the Mysterious Beyond. Twiz followed as well. He was safe too...that was something.
The reason myself, my dad Tylr, and Petrie were even out here in the Mysterious Beyond is now crying and I move over to the small hatchling the same deep blue color as her grandmother, my aunt.
Twiz' little boy, Flip, and the only hatchling to be saved, thanks to my dad's last heroic sacrifice. His mother was one of Petrie's sisters no longer with us either. The small thing looks up at me and holds his wings out, "'A't Kit...". Aunt Kit, it's what he's gonna call me when he can talk better I think, and I don't mind one bit. I scoop him up, rocking him gently. "Shh, it's ok Flip, your dad, Uncle Petrie and I are all here" I try to sooth the small thing.
"Yeah" I hear the voice with a sigh in it, "but if 'Uncle Petrie' can't figure out how to remove this rock, we're not gonna last long anyway!".
~~~~
I sigh again, my fear was never easy to hide, even if I don't freak out as much as I use to, anyone and especially Kit can tell when I'm stressed. "Sorry" I mutter after a moment or so of silence. Kit smiles and says it's ok while still rocking Flip. She's sure taking this 'end of everything we know as life' well. I glance to the rock blocking the cave we're in once more. It saved our lives, I'm sure of that. Everything happened in slow motion from the moment we saw the huge flying rock and then the fire rang down.
Flip was in the Mysterious Beyond visiting with his father, Twiz, who still had a sharptoothed flyers herd to lead, and somehow without a word myself, Kit and Uncle Tylr all darted forward with the single thought of how the two of them were doing.
Well, my nephew and brother-in-law weren't my only thoughts, I did turn to look back at my sister and even wonder how my mom and the others were...but her look was only concerned for Flip and Twiz, so I knew I had to find them...as it is that's the last I saw of her.
So I followed Uncle Tylr out of the Great Valley and even as he darted right over to where Twiz and Flip were visible. I was just about to throw out some kidding statement to Twiz on how he shouldn't be out in beyond skywater like this, when we all saw the flying rock heading straight for the tree the fire was already crawling up. The tree with flightless Flip's nest in it. Before we could think, Uncle Tylr had darted in and saved Flip...but at his own expense. I didn't even get to thank him properly before he was gone, just promised him I'd watch over Kit and Flip and saw the look that said he'd never doubted that.
Well, a few moments and another crashing flying rock later, I got my chance and scooping up Flip, pushed, Kit and Twiz towards the cavern not a moment too soon it seemed. This one rock causing the issue was due to the cave in I'm sure, and it kept out the rest of the fire and saved us, but now I have to figure out some way to move it.
"Twiz" I turn to my friend for alot of my life and brother-in-law for a shorter later while, "come see if you can help me budge this". I can't tell if he's listening.
~~~~
I glance up, I'd been so out of it I hadn't even heard my son crying and Kit had to comfort him. My thoughts aren't just on my entire herd, who I all but know are dead, but also my mate, everyone in the Great Valley, and Tylr who was my uncle too and to whom I owe my son's life. If I could only wipe that look of despair off of Kit's face, and not feel like my own failure as a father caused it.
If I'd been watching Flip as I should have, if my mate had been out here with me too and not left in the Valley to perish I can't help but think, I wouldn't have caused either Petrie or Kit this grief. Tylr wouldn't have had to risk and lose his life by stepping in to save Flip. I'll be forever more grateful than I can express for it...but one would think a herd leader would have been more in control. It's a proud line of rulers down the watering hole.
"Twiz" now it's Kit's turn to walk over and hand me Flip, I think trying to reassure me with the fact that my son's alright. I hug him, yet then stand and hand him back to Kit, "Here, I think he was calmer when he was with you" I say in a dead tone.
Kit's looks says I haven't fallen one bit in her eyes, and it's too good to be true...yet maybe she's right, maybe I can try to redeem myself and help Petrie get us out of here.
"Would you watch him while I see if two bright flyers such as your cousins can't figure a way out of this?" I next ask with a small smile. Kit smiles and nods.
I next walk over and begin to help Petrie push. The both of us knowing, I think, that we
have to move it, there's no food or water at all in here and I didn't see any other opening.
