Page 27 of Wild Life

Unimpressed with my argument, he took my hand in his and pulled me to my feet, the basket tucked into his other arm. The pig scuffled on his hooves, excited to find out our next moves. And I was curious, too.

Gently, Cryptid guided me, his big hand swallowing mine. Our difference in size was complementary. I shifted, and he stilled my fidgeting, interlocking his fingers with mine.

I had never held hands like this with another person before. As a devout member of the anti-relationship religion, I had made it a point to never do so with anyone. It wasn’t because I hated it or was repulsed by it. On the contrary, I had always yearned for that type of touch. To have that connection with someone while doing something completely menial like walking. I had never wanted to encourage something more permanent from the men that I’d hooked up with, and the gesture would clearly have sent the wrong message.

It was only the third time he had held mine, but it felt different. When he’d done it the first time, he had been dragging me through the jungle like I was a child. The second time had been last night, and that was in the heat of lust.

As we walked together, we moved as equals. As two people traveling to the same destination willingly, though I didn’t know where it was. I was too tired from the tears I had shed and allowed him to lead me.

We walked in silence until my legs hurt. The pig struggled to hobble along for the journey. I stopped, the fire in my calves unbearable and my feet stinging from the harsh brush.

I doubled over, holding my waist. “I can’t walk anymore.” The pig collapsed at my feet in agreement.

Cryptid shot us a hard glare, as if we were the most pitiful beings he’d ever seen. He continued walking through the dense trees.

I dropped to the ground, sitting next to the pig, careful to keep my thighs shut since I wassansunderwear. While I had let Eli the Bug Guy inside my vagina, I would be damned if I let actual bugs inside.

The pig nestled his wet snout between my shin and the ground. I rubbed his ears, and he let out a contented huff. “You hated that walk, too, huh?”

His large eyes stared back at me as if wishing to agree.

“I think he forgets that not everyone is made of stone like him.” I glanced to where Cryptid had disappeared.

My hand moved to the pig’s exposed belly as he lay on his side. He lifted his hind leg in enjoyment. “You’re a giant puppy, aren’t you?” I said in a baby voice. “When I first met you, you scared the hell out of me, but now I see you’re simply a ball of mush inside.”

Just like your human companion.I smiled at the thought. The two of them really belonged together.

Interestingly, the pig cuddled into me as if he knew exactly what I was saying. He seemed incredibly aware of human mannerisms and emotions, like a magical animal in a fairy tale or something.

“We’ll wait here ’til he gets back. What do you say?”

My nose drew in a faint smell. It was heavy and astringent, coating the back of my throat. I choked on my acrid breath, covering the cough with my hand.

The pig perked up, his nose vibrating in the air, too.

“You smell that?”

The scent strengthened, like a thick blanket around us.

Smoke.

It was coming from the direction of where Cryptid had headed.

I leaped to my feet, and the pig followed. The jungle was on fire, and I didn’t know where Cryptid was. What if he was trapped? I needed to find him.

The pig ran ahead, covering his companion’s tracks, and I followed. The brush thinned considerably as we moved.

The dirt under my feet changed, softening, and my feet sank with each step. More daylight shined through the trees. The landscape was morphing with each stride. My heart pounded in my chest.

Then, suddenly, I stopped running and stood in awe.

There were no more trees. Only sunlight shining on miles of white sand for as far as I could see. Blue waves painted the horizon like a masterpiece. They roared in my ears with the promise of freedom. Water.The ocean.

I stumbled through the sand, dumbfounded that I’d finally made it to the beach.

And there was Cryptid, standing in front of a fire. The pig ran to him.

My feet carried me to him, attracted as if by a magnet. “You…How?”

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