(this story was made via polls on my Patreon Discord. participants choosing what direction the story goes in. You are seeing the results of the polls as the story unfolds)




somewhere in you, yes, there is guilt. but the desire to live in safety is stronger than that guilt.
you spent your life running from all danger and to have danger itself be your protector is not a comfort you are willing to give up.
even if you sacrifice every soul who comes to the lake.

one day, a small pack of raptors arrives. they are only half as tall as you but you know their size does not mean they are any less dangerous. if they pounce onto you back, they will bite and claw at your hide, bleed you until you are too worn down to fight back.
you should run. your faster. you cant trick them into drinking from the lake like you can others.
and yet, you stand your ground. this is your home. you will not leave it.

they attack. carnivores driven by hunger. you know there is not evil in their hearts, yet that wont make your death any less final.
swiftly, you kick. strong legs, built to run all day work just as well to fight. your kick staggers the first. its hurt but not out.
they attempt to circle around you. the water is behind you. they think it cuts off your escape as you back toward it.
they hiss and snap, corralling you closer and closer to the water. you kick another that gets too close, you hear a snap and it yelps in pain. you dont know what you broke but its arm hangs lower than the other. You hiss a warning but the others get closer and as you look to one, another takes the distraction and pounces.

claws and teeth bite into you hide. the feathers on your back protecting you until they are ripped out. you buck, kick and thrash. your feet kicking up the water you stand in.
you can only hope the Demon is paying attention. that it still holds true to your deal and will burst from the water to save you.

do you trust?