Morning broke over the prehistoric world. Nearby a forest of towering pines dominated the landscape. Chirps and clicks echoed through their towering trunks. The roars of larger, and possibly more lethal creatures also rang through the air. A single sentry stood atop a bluff surveying the land below. It was a raptor.
She felt a sense of pride as she sat on her lone vigil. Her leader trusted her to watch for danger and ensure the safety of the pack. A twig snapped behind her and she spun around to face the noise. She relaxed when she saw it was only the alpha Jossecor. “A beautiful day hmm, Safear?” he asked when he came to a stop beside her. “Yes, perhaps we can take the young ones out and show them the territory?” he considered this for a moment and then gave her a sharp smile, “ Maybe.” that was Jossecor, he never gave a straight answer.
They sat in companionable silence for a few moments before Safear noticed a large burning light in the distance. “what’s that light?” she murmured, curious. “that is the sun.” he replied with a sigh. No that light, she gestured with her muzzle. Now he too was gazing at the strange object. It was getting bigger. “its beautiful.” she thought as she stared in awe.
Something felt wrong though. Everything had fallen into an uneasy silence. Even the ever present insects had quieted their eternal music. It was rapidly approaching now. The object was massive. “come on Safear we have to go!” distantly she heard him but could not shift her gaze away from the burning ball. Then its fiery surface met with the earth and a great clap of sound resembling thunder blasted her. Now terrified she watched as a huge cloud of debris raced toward the forest. The air was getting hotter. “Safear.” the single word echoed in her mind. “who’s there?” “ we are not here to harm you.” another voice chimed.” “what’s happening.” “this world will be no more but we wish to save you.” “You want to save me? Why me?” “do you want to live?” “what about the pack?” “do you want to live?” they asked again. The heat was scorching now and Safear could feel her skin beginning to blister. “do you want to live?” Desperate now she cried out, “yes I want to live!”
It was cool now. that’s all she could think about was the blessed coolness. Faintly she could hear the familiar buzz of bugs and could feel sunlight on her shoulders. In a daze she sat up and could tell there was something different. Opening her eyes she saw to her horror she now had four long legs. Scrambling to her feet she stared in wonder at the transformation. “What have you done to me, where am I?” “you are in the endless forest we have modified you so you will fit in.” “fit in?” that’s when she saw a creature staring at her it had fluffy fur and a odd mask on. She growled at it and it fled in terror at her razor sharp fangs and claws. “take this mask, it will hide your teeth.” there was a long sad looking mask on the ground. “I will not hide my face from prey!” “they are not prey they are friends, you will be polite and kind to them.” “then what will I eat?” she snarled. There are small creatures here that you are free to hunt.” in a rage she yanked the mask onto her face and ran away from the voices.
She ran until her lungs screamed and her breath sawed in and out of her chest in ragged bursts. There seemed no end to this infernal forest. Finally she collapsed into a patch of flowers “the endless forest.” she rasped, and began to laugh mirthlessly.