I had imagined either Ed, Vio and Rytho would either somehow snipe the guards from a distance or snek out while the guards were sleeping.
Listen, I came up with an idea for a scene for the next chapter while I was at work yesterday. It's at your discretion as to whether or not to use it. I have a rep (so does my writing) for being an emotional person, so if it's too dramatic, feel welcome to make changes. If ya don't use it, I won't be offended
. If it is used, feel free to use it verbatim. Anyhoo, here it is:
Chomper, Vio, Ed, Rytho and a weak emaciated Ducky had travelled deep into the forest by the time the Bright Circle had risen. Everything seemed to be going fine, until Ducky felt an overwhelming sense of weakness and dizziness.
“Ugh,” she gasped quietly as she collapsed to the ground, nearly taking Ed down with her. They put their weapons down quickly before Vio and Ed gently turned her onto her back.
“Ducky! Are you okay?!” Vio called out as he crouched down next to her.
“I’m not going to make it,” she whispered. She was terribly pale and gaunt. Vio rested a clawed hand on her forehead.
“You’ll make it, Ducky. We’re gonna get out of here. Ed! Rytho! Find some green food quickly!”
Ed and Rytho, who had also crouched next to Ducky, jumped up and went to find the most succulent green food they could find. Chomper came up to Vio and Ducky.
“Will she be alright?” Chomper asked out of concern for his friend. Vio nodded.
“Yeah, as long as we get some food in her soon. B******s! I can’t believe they did this to you, Ducky. They’ll pay with their lives for sure!” said Vio.
Upon hearing that, Ducky thought about her brother, Saurolo, who had been murdered in cold blood. She suddenly began to cry harshly.
“Ducky, what’s the matter?” asked Vio. Ducky said nothing for a few moments before she began.
“My…my brother…Saurolo. He…was killed,” she sobbed.
“What?!” gasped Vio.
“Yes,” Ducky choked. “They could not get me to talk, so they killed him…right in front of me. He… was gutted then decapitated. This is mostly his blood on me.” She was crying harder by that point.
“Shh,” soothed Chomper as he rested a hand on Ducky’s shoulder. “Don’t cry so hard, Ducky. You haven’t much strength.”
“Let her grieve,” Vio said compassionately. “Don’t worry, Ducky. We’ll get those damn b******s for this. Your brother’s death will be avenged.” Just then, Ed and Rytho returned with an abundance of succulent green food.
“Look what we’ve brought, Ducky,” said Rytho. He and Ed then noticed Ducky’s harsh crying, along with Vio and Chomper comforting her.
“What’s wrong?” asked Ed.
“Her brother was killed right in front of her in those a**holes’ attempts to get her to talk. That’s why she’s bloody,” explained Vio.
“Aw, we’re sorry, Ducky. We’ll get ëem back, but for now, try to eat something,” soothed Rytho.
“I don’t know if I can. Poor Saurolo,” Ducky sniffled.
“C’mon, Ducky. This is life or death,” said Ed. Ducky looked even more pitiful than before. He and Rytho brought the food over and sat down next to Ducky.
“Here, let me help you,” soothed Vio as he carefully lifted Ducky to a sit up position and held her. He could care less if she was messy or not. She needed support more than ever, and he knew she was on the brink of death. Ducky tried to lift her hand to pick up some green food but to no avail.
“I can’t do it,” she whispered. “I’m done for.”
“Oh, no you’re not. Stop thinking like that. Ed, give me some of that green food,” ordered Vio. Ed did as told.
“C’mon, Ducky. This green food is very luscious. You’ll enjoy it,” said Vio just before he fed Ducky a mouthful of green food. She slowly chewed before it went down.
“That is good. Can I have some more?” she asked weakly.
“As much as you can eat, Ducky,” soothed Vio as Ed gave him more green food. It took a while, but Ducky managed to eat most of the green food. Vio, Ed, Rytho and Chomper all smiled in a pleased fashion.
“Feel better?” asked Vio as he gently rubbed Ducky’s abdomen.
“Food wise,” Ducky replied, this time with more strength in her voice. “But I could use a bath right now.”
“Hey, Ed and I found a stream nearby when we were getting green food,” said Rytho.
“Outstanding. Help me get her up,” Vio ordered. Ed and Rytho did as told. Once Ed managed to walk Ducky over to the stream and help her sit down in the water, she began to scrub herself off. As she did that, Saurolo’s blood and her own blood drifted down the stream. She began to cry again. She had been very close to her brother, and even blamed herself for his murder. She loved him, along with her other siblings, very much. Her heart wrenched as she thought of him. “I’m sorry, Saurolo. Please forgive me,” she sniffled as she finished bathing. Meanwhile, a short distance downstream, the others were silent as they frequently glanced over at Ducky.
“I feel so bad for her,” said Rytho.
“I know it,” agreed Vio.
“This is a sad time for her, but she’s tough. She’ll get over this quickly,” added Ed.
“No, Ed,” replied Chomper. “I’ve known Ducky since we were very young. She’s the most sensitive dinosaur I have ever known, and family means so much to her. It will take her many bright circles to get over her brother’s death. We have to be strong for her.” Chomper looked over at Ducky again and noticed she was trying to get up but was having difficulty.
“Hey, she’s done. Let’s go help her,” Chomper said as he began to walk over to Ducky. The others followed. Ducky looked up as they came over to her. As they helped her up, they noticed she was crying again.
“It’s okay, Ducky,” Chomper whispered as he embraced her. She returned the gesture. The others could not help but notice the markings she had received as a result of being tortured.
"Those b******s are really asking for an a** kicking!" growled Rytho, smashing his right fist into his left hand.
"Count me in!" agreed Ed.
“Not just yet, guys. Let’s allow her to rest up,” said Vio. They then walked Ducky a few feet away from the stream before lowering her down.
“Sleep well, Ducky. We’ll keep watch,” Chomper soothed just before he nuzzled Ducky’s head.
“Yeah, we will,” added Vio, gently rubbing Ducky’s back. "If those b******s come anywhere near you, we’ll take care of them.”
“Thank you,” whispered Ducky.
“Don’t worry, Ducky,” said Rytho as he gave Ducky’s hand a light squeeze.
“Be not afraid, for we’ll protect you,” added Ed as he patted Ducky’s shoulder.
“Thanks again, guys,” Ducky whispered nearly inaudibly as she fell asleep.
“You’re quite welcome,” said Vio. “C’mon, guys. Hold your weapons and keep your eyes peeled.” As they sat, their backs turned to Ducky as they kept her surrounded, could not help but glance at her now and then. The thought of what those evil monsters had put her through only made their hunger for vengeance intensify.
