Noctisardor Bypass we built these dreams on sand

short breaths held ava together until the pain subsided. in the corner, heda shifted -- collecting her brood of children. two nestled close to her chest.

ava's gaze flickered back to the man; the hulking, huge, lumbering man. he'd stood up, and now stood over the squirming puddle of puppies, his large and black nose glistening. the arc of his nostrils flared in and out.

ava rose suddenly, ignoring the pulse of pain in the back of her head. she met the man's gaze, supping from their collective scents each individual aroma, in the same manner he'd done.

if he instilled any fear in the child, it did not show.