Redhawk Caldera a scratch, a lump; it is nothing at all

shad, he replied, drawing the word out slightly. i don't know what it is, but i like the sound of it. lead the way, teacher, killer said amiably, nodding toward the path ahead and smiling.

they hadn't gotten to know each other much since he'd been here—understandable, under the circumstances.

he still wasn't sure how she felt about him, as her deceased husband's child by another woman.

but this could be a start to a bond, he thought. as long as he didn't stick his paw in his mouth somehow and fuck it up.

one time, caracal dragged me into the ocean, trying to get to this island, killdeer remarked. he snorted softly, shaking his head. i dunno—apparently it was shallow, or there was a sandbar or something. . .but i couldn't swim. motherfucker nearly drowned my ass.