Haunted Wood If you build it, he will come

He didn't seem the least bit affected by her quiet threat. In fact, he laughed in her face. He pointed out that he wasn't even hurting her, yet Wildfire knew that if her parents (or anyone from the caldera, really) overheard the conversation, they would tear out his throat in seconds. The intent was definitely there. Wildfire swallowed, her fear growing. But, for the moment at least, her ability to maintain a poker face kept pace with her inner terror.

"He's healthy enough to rip off your head," she rejoined, her voice soft but sharp. Her ears flattened completely for a moment, then flicked upward again as Wildfire suddenly blurted, "You don't even have a tail," so of course he couldn't tuck it between his legs. Sure, it was probably a completely moot point but the child was grasping at straws.

Not two seconds after the word tail left her mouth, she finally decided to make a break for it. Without warning, she darted first to the lookalike's right, her heart practically jumping into her throat as she made a point to get within biting range. She then swiveled and leaped in the other direction, hurtling past his left shoulder and kicking up damp earth as she took off like a wild filly.