Fishblight Mire i knew what it meant to be afraid

<3

the bog loomed ahead, the land becoming softer underfoot. watching the deer bound ahead, merrick watched the old stag stumble in the darkness, his weight much heavier than the nimble does and the spry predators that followed. and he was winded, the boy saw, watching the great animal tilt his head back beneath the rack of antlers.
a firmer inlet led into the mire, and merrick padded along its length. the stag, unable to go further, stamped a warning hoof, but the action only sank the beast's ankles more firmly into the stinking morass. a baleful glint flickered in the boy's eyes; he glanced to the others, to see that they looked upon what he saw and knew what he meant to do.
merrick broke into a run along the steadier land; the stag whirled and plunged ahead desperately, but his legs were sucked by the mud, and his efforts were in vain.