Where The Wild Things Go
"Oof."
Blake climbed over a large rock and breathed a sigh of relief. At the bottom of the hill was the outskirts of a small town where he could finally take a rest, or at least stock up on supplies. Brushing the white hair out of his eyes, he quickened his pace and make his way downhill.
The rocks gradually became less frequent and were replaced by brush and trees, and then buildings and dwelling places. It was late afternoon and the sun shining off in the west made his red fur glow like fire. The marble hanging from his neck sparkled brilliantly. The buildings around him grew larger and more profound as he made his way to the center of the town. At this point, the only thought on Blake's mind was food, and he didn't even stop to admire the unmistakable beauty, or the strange silence that surrounded the area. He didn't even recognize the odd feeling in the pit of his stomach that told him he was being followed.
A few more minutes of walking took Blake right to the center of town. He saw an inn, where he could spend the night, as well as a small shop on the side of the road. He went inside the shop and stocked up on all of the supplies he would need for his journey. He didn't know where he was going, exactly, so he just took everything that seemed as though it would be helpful. He put the tools in his bag, as well as food, snacks that wouldn't last for long but would be good in a rough spot. Blake could hunt for himself just fine, and he wouldn't go hungry. He lugged all of this stuff up to the counter and waited.
No one came.
He called for an employee, but was answered by the same eerie silence that he had been too preoccupied to notice earlier. He waited a few more minutes, and then shrugged. No one was here, but Blake wasn't a thief. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. He left the pile of coins on the counter and left the shop.
Maybe there was a restaurant nearby where he could get some food. Backpack swung over his shoulder, Blake trotted down the street in search of somewhere he could eat. He found a few places, but received the same treatment he had earlier. The only food sources nearby were either locked or had no one to help him. Blake heard a bang in the back of one, followed by a quick yelp, but nothing else suggested that there was even anyone in the town. This didn't strike him as odd, though. He and his empty stomach dejectedly made their way towards the inn.
Big surprise, there was no one here. He heard some quick footsteps upstairs, but nothing else. Blake's ears flattened. "Hello?" he called. No answer. He shrugged. Maybe he just wasn't welcome here.
He sighed and left the building. He'd gotten his supplies, but now it was time to leave. It was getting late. The sky had darkened and the air was finally filled with noise, the sounds of night, crickets chirping and owls hooting. Blake was reassured by these friendly sounds. He still felt like someone was following him, but he wasn't worried about it. People here just weren't friendly.
Blake heard a growl, and he frowned. His stomach was complaining that it hadn't been filled, and he took some snacks out of his bag. He shoved them in his mouth and his three, white-tipped tails began to wag. He was so focused on his food that he didn't notice the shadow looming nearby.
The sky was completely dark by the time the buildings started to thin out again. It was a shame that the town had been so unwelcoming, but that couldn't really be helped. Blake heard a scraping off in the distance and frowned. Sure, now that he was gone everyone would come out. He shook his head.
But the noise followed him, seeming to get closer each time he heard it. What was going on? Blake growled with annoyance. It didn't make sense. Why follow him if he wasn't even welcome? It stopped. Blake stopped too, and was suddenly surrounded by silence again.
Nothing. And then -
A dark shape launched itself towards him, growling hungrily. Blake expertly dodged it and looked at The Burbun with surprise. It had almost made him its dinner! He drew back his arm and punched the thing in the gut, but it just laughed, a horrible, screeching sound that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. It came at him again, but Blake easily stepped to the side. The thing was so fat that it was slowed down by the weight.
He landed a shot at its head, and The Burbun dropped like a stone. Blake rolled his eyes as the monster lay dazed on the ground. It opened and closed its large maw, pathetically trying to take a bite out of him, but it looked more comical than scary.
"You seriously need some lessons on how to be a proper pred,"Blake muttered. He pinned it down and tied its arms and legs with some rope from his bag. He stared at the beast. It was covered with blue fur, with rounded ears and purple-rimmed eyes. And, of course, there was the huge belly, which almost seemed to have a life of its own.
Blake's stomach growled again and he knew there was only one thing he could do with this monstrosity. The thing grunted and groaned with terror, but he grinned mischievously and shoved its head inside his own mouth. He murred with delight at the exotic flavor, and The Burbun thrashed and waved its arms around crazily. Blake kept it under control and swallowed again.
The monster's stomach churned as its insides struggled weakly, bulging out actively. So this is where all the townspeople had gotten off to. Blake smoothly sucked the huge belly in, and swallowed it down with pleasure. The Burbun's little legs thrashed madly as they followed down the throat to join the rest of his meal.
He smiled happily as his stomach was finally filled after the long day. It had been worth the wait. He hefted his now-huge belly and enjoyed the squirming within the squirming inside of him. He smiled and realized that his trip to this desolate, unfriendly town had been worth it. Now it was time to get back on his journey to . . . His journey. . . . Something made him stop.
Where was he going, anyway?