Chapter Text
“Fuck” Grian hissed out as he limped through the forest, his wing hanging limply off his back. Biting his lip he drew blood and fell to his knees, letting out a cry of pain as his wings jostled. Ripping a piece of his shirt off he bound his wing against his back and struggled to his feet.
Groaning, he leant on a tree, his vision blurred with tears. Shaking his head he steadied himself and walked forwards. It was getting dark fast and he refused to give up and turn back to that- that hell of a place he was taken to. Limping forwards Grian looked for shelter- or just anything with any kind of protection from the prickling wind and biting cold. Coming across a small den-like hole in the ground he cautiously approached it.
“Nest..?” He chirped out tilting his head to the side. Flaring his free wing as best as he could he grabbed out his knife and cautiously searched his no- the nest for danger before collapsing into an alcove in the cave. Curling up he hugged himself as he shivered falling into a restless sleep.
“...get back to… …hunters.” a rough voice called out. Shifting slightly the avian blearily opened his eyes as he woke up to the voices. Taking in a sharp breath Grian scrambled further back into the alcove. Pulling out his knife he prayed that the people? Hunters? Whatever it didn't matter wouldn't come into the cave and would just leave him be.
“It's been a while since we’ve seen them around here hasn't it X?” Another, softer voice said.
“Yeah, I wonder why they’re around these parts now.” Someone who he presumed to be X answered. “From what I could tell though that was the only camp around.” The voices were getting closer. A shrill panicked chirp bubbled up in his throat before eventually spilling out, echoing slightly in the small cave.
The footsteps stopped immediately and he cursed under his breath as he heard them move closer to him. His eyes blurred as his instincts took over. Hiding in the limited shadows in the alcove he crouched on his feet and held his knife tightly in his hand. His talons were filed down and were no longer as sharp as they used to be but they could still do some damage to someone if they got close enough. They had to be hunters, why else would they be here? His eyes darted around the cave looking for an alternate exit but there was none to be found.
Letting out a hiss as a hunter tried to enter the cave he lunged forwards and stabbed out with his knife piercing the arm of the hunter.
“FUCK” The hunter shouted as the knife plunged into his arm. The hunter pulled back and away from the entrance of the cave leaving Grian with the perfect opportunity to dash out of the cave and flee.
Just as he exited the cave a hand yanked his injured leg pulling him back in. Kicking himself free he backed into a wall. This- this was it he was going to be caught again just after he got free, they were going to make him flightless again. He’d never be free again. They were going to take him back and force him to act like a pet, to watch as they killed everyone he got attached to. It was going to be Taurtis Evo all over again.
He heaved in short sobbing breaths each one shallower than the last. Spots appeared in his vision as he began to hyperventilate. The hunter was no more than a foot away from him.
Watching. Waiting.
As one of the hunters approached he forced himself to calm down. Heavily breathing he heaved himself up to his feet.