Page 22 of Citrine

Will she be able to fight it off?

Knowing that I will witness her struggle, her desperation, brings a fresh thrill.

The Many Teeth is almost upon her now, its body coiling and uncoiling in the water. I can see its muscles tensing, preparing for the final lunge. My eyes flick between her and the creature, my own breath coming in shallow flutters of my gills.

This is it.

As the Many Teeth is about to lunge, I can't help but wriggle my graspers in impatience. They still when I see her moving away from the edge toward a tree near the forest's entrance.

Disappointment makes my limbs hang loose in the water, but she may return.

The Many Teeth waits for her on the edge and so do I.

10

Eli

There is nothing worse than asking for peace all your life, but when you finally have it, you just do not like it. Right now, I feel the surroundings creeping on me as the sun dips below the horizon. Darkness starts taking over, and the stars twinkle brightly above me.

I place another large leaf from the trees in a pile. They are more like prickly feathers than any leaves I'm used to, but I had to make do.

The only good thing right now is the sweet little fireflies helping me see. They are far larger than ones on Earth and keep glowing and dancing around me as if I'm fascinating to them.

Maybe I am.

There's sticky sap on my hands and I return to the softly lapping water to clean it off.

An eerie chill runs down my spine as I put my hand in the ice-cold water, but what catches me off guard is a pool of bubbles just a few inches away from my hand on the sleek lake surface. I quickly retract my hand, abandoning plans to wash and move toward the tree near the forest entrance.

He's probably watching again, but it's best to stay away from the water until daylight either way.

Using another tree branch as a cane, I look around, my eyes scanning the area for anything that might help. That's when I spot a tree with foliage similar to a coconut tree right at the edge of the lake. The broad leaves look like they could cover my body and provide some warmth.

I approach the tree, limping little by little, though I could swear my movement is improving. Maybe something was out of alignment and it shifted back.

"Let's hope this works," I mutter to myself, reaching up to grab a large leaf. It's surprisingly tough, and I have to put all my weight into pulling it down.

The leaf finally gives way, but to my dismay, I lose my balance and tumble backwards. I fall into the lake with a splash, the cold water instantly soaking through my clothes.

Luckily, the lake is shallow at the edge, and I don't go under. I scramble to my feet, shaking off the shock. As I push my wet hair out of my eyes, something catches my attention—a glint of light on the water's surface.

Squinting, I see what looks like a turtle shell shimmering under the moonlight.

It looks unlike any shell I've ever seen—larger, with a strange iridescence. I'm mesmerized by the sight for a brief moment, but then remember I'm not on Earth and start to scramble away.

Suddenly, a ripple disturbs the stillness of the water. My heart skips a beat. I freeze, every instinct screaming at me to run away, but it's too late.

The water erupts in a violent splash. The turtle-like creature bursts forth, its maw opening to reveal rows of sharp, gleaming teeth.

"Shit!" I gasp, stumbling backward.

The creature lunges at me, and I barely dodge to the side, my adrenaline surging. I turn and bolt toward the shore, my mind racing. The water slows me down, my injured ankle screaming in protest.

I can hear the creature thrashing behind me, its movements sending waves crashing around me.

I reach the shore after only a moment, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Just as I think I'm safe, a searing pain shoots through my scalp. I scream, realizing the creature has caught my hair in its jaws.

Panic surges through me as it pulls me back toward the water.

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