Phantom Hollow my fingers are numb around your warm pulsing throat

AW

much as he appreciated the listless character of the forest, iliksis felt compelled to leave it in search of food. no grouse nor vole nor any manner of denizen stirred in the hollow's keep, and after thoroughly exhausting every stone for a meal, iliksis set out for the open hinterland.

he was close to a river -- he could hear the muted thunder of boulders grinding under the current, and the high whine of ice creaking along its frozen surface. the scent of fresh-water drifted through the copse and he followed it until at last he came across the river, which had been tamed by winter's icy touch. he carefully paced the bank, noting where the ice was fragile or too translucent for his liking -- and at length, found a shattered slab where water lapped between crushed floes of floating ice.