The rumble of Pragmir growls shifted the earth beneath Erin’s feet. She’d never been this close. Young ones darted back and forth, playing games like kittens. The adults looked comatose, but she knew better.

Her first week on Talus she’d lost four members of her team.

“Erin? Look at me. We can do this.”

D’aerul was insane. Only a lunatic would propose a game of cat and mouse.

“No dying today,” she said.

“Trust me. I’ve done this a few times,” he said.

“Is that suppose to make me feel better?”

D’aerul winked and without any hesitation he darted straight for the pack.

Eyelids stirred. Muscles bunched. Lips began to curl. Before they could leap D’aerul catapulted off a tree and headed deeper into the forest. The Pragmirs followed.

Erin rushed forward, placed her hand upon the bark and let the nanoids do their job.

© Amanda Makepeace

Part Four coming September 2nd.

New to Other Worlds? Start at the beginning.