indra, having very little inclination for navigatory prowess, was quite plainly lost. she looked up slowly, her timid gaze wide as her vision was swallowed by the immense view of a massive and never-ending tree. she tried to see the top, but from her vantage could not -- from her vertically challenged point of view the pine's trunk might as well have stretched to the cloud-rimmed heavens.
her curiosity would not be offset -- cautiously the chubby child rocked her weight clumsily onto her haunches -- but before she knew it gravity had seized her and with a soft
whump she was on her back with nothing but brightly blinding blue skies meeting her vision.
Here goes!
It felt like she had been walking straight for days. Anju could feel her legs growing stiff from the long journey. Perhaps now was a good a time as any for a break. First order of business was always survival, and that meant food.
The tall trees cupped the smells of the forest together, however. Her nose, which was accustomed to finding lighter scents diluted and carried off by the ocean breeze, was now overpowered by the dense collection of smells.
Still, she was a survivor, and she would adapt. Taking a deep breath to center herself, she stepped carefully in search of food.
indra blinked, her eyes adjusting to the azul expanse of sky above. for a moment the red child kept prone, as if stunned -- but the moment was fleeting and with a mighty effort she heaved her broad legs over and scrambled to her feet. with a rolling shake the child was off in a clunky, excited trot.
that was until she saw a wolf ahead - a wolf that was not spring. or laika. or even shreya. she stopped and looked behind her -- where was an adult? was this a reek wolf? were all wolves outside of the creek bad?
timidly she set back, about to run in her preconceived direction of home -- until her paw landed with a loud snap on a stick. horrified and wide-eyed the child froze, shrinking from the stranger as she realized the error she had made.
she unglued; all thoughts left her save for fear and she ran as quick as her legs could take her away from the stranger.