Red Black

Survival of the Fittest 

Chaos, confusion, almost certain death, unless he learns the rules of the game... quickly... because death is on his ass and about to strike. 

His village was destroyed while they slept last night. His brothers and younger sister were killed right in front of him. He doesn’t know if his older sister is alive or not. They were separated in their efforts to stay alive. He saw one of those creatures grab her, then both of them rolled down the hillside towards the cliff. 

What are those creatures, he asked himself? Why do they terrorize us? They don’t steal anything, they don’t use us for anything, they just kill... meaningless, senseless killing! Keeping us constantly on the run... running for our lives... running for shelter. When will it end? When will we be able to live freely and not be victimized and preyed upon by these ruthless killers? As his attacker draws closer for the death strike, he can feel the wind on his back from the massive wings of this assailant. 

He could not run any faster. But if he didn’t do something quickly, he would feel those sharp claws tear deep into his flesh and snap his bones. So, he rolled to his side, as low as possible to avoid those claws. Despite his effort, the tip sliced his back as he made his move. The pain was so intense that it heightened his fear to the point where it overwhelmed him. His senses became more acute. He became more alert and aware. 

As he got up and ran in the other direction, he could see the creature turning back towards him. It’s a large black creature with a body designed for swift, accurate killing with minimal effort. Its stealth body is usually impossible to see in the dark of night unless it’s right on top of you. However, this monster is clear to him now. He sees its black silhouette against the midnight sky swooping down and at that moment a feeling of admiration came over him. He saw how its powerful body moves with such grace and ease. Was it admiration or jealousy that he was feeling? Was he jealous because he needed those abilities right now to save his life? 

Fear rushed through him as he ran faster than ever before. He felt the pain in his back, but it only made him run harder. Within a matter of seconds, he was back at the edge of the cliff where his sister fell off. Briefly amazed at the speed at which he must have been going to travel such a distance in so little time, he suddenly realized he would have to make another quick decision with no time to think. So, he didn’t think, he just reacted. The cliff was in front of him, but a more horrifying death was behind him. He jumped! Arms spread wide, he glided with the grace of the predator he knew was still back there. But it didn’t matter now. This felt good! It felt natural. As he felt his body start to decline, he dove headfirst with his arms extended in front of him, strait down to the bottom of the cliff where he knew there was a vine forest. He could never see it at night. Though at this moment, it was very clear to him. He could see individual vines as he descended to his fate. He wondered if this was his sister's fate as well... to die this way? Or was she the victim of those terrible claws? Or did she live? 

At that second, the thought of living was very real to him. He grabbed one vine after another all the way down until he landed softly on his feet. He was stunned for a minute; amazed at how easy that was. He looked up to make sure the creature was not behind him. He saw nothing but dense reddish colored vines creating the forest canopy. In fact, the whole forest was covered with tangled and intertwined reddish roots above ground. 

This was a popular place for his people to go because they’re much harder to find with their red skin. He knows this forest well. His chances of surviving are much greater here. Besides, he feels much more confident in his abilities now. Also, he just learned the rules of the game of life and death. He must release his inhibitions and go with his nature; whichever direction it takes him. 

There's only one place on his mind now. A place his family used to go. If his sister is alive, that is where she would be. So, he crept through the forest swiftly, but quietly. The threat of those predators is constant. Plus, he has some scars to remind him just how close he came to death. 

As he approached the cave, hidden by a large root near the wall of the cliff, he noticed the two large black figures standing near the cave and looking in. He froze... and instinctively stayed close camouflaged by the reddish roots. The fear resurfaced as he sat there and thought. If they’re looking in the cave, there’s a good chance his sister is in there. But why aren’t they attacking? Is she already dead? He had to know! 

He crept closer, hugging the roots so that it was always between him and those creatures. As he looked at them, he wondered if they were as graceful in this dense forest as they are in the air? He didn’t think so. He knew they couldn’t fly in here. But he wondered if they could move like he did earlier? This was his domain and in it he felt more confident and able than ever. He has an advantage, and he must use it. In this forest, he is the one that is stealth. Furthermore, if he were supposed to die, he would already be dead. 

The fear subsided and was replaced by anxious energy. Energy fueled by the death of his siblings, his own near death, and the thought that his sister... his only surviving family member may need his help. 

He was just above the cave on the large root that partially concealed the entrance. He was not in view of those creatures, but he heard movement, as if one of them were heading towards the cave. One was! And now it was right below him kneeling and looking in the cave. Could it be his sister, he thought... and still alive? He wished he could signal her without alerting these executioners. Almost as if he willed it, he received a signal from her. It was a telepathic distress call for any of her kind in the area to come and create a diversion for these beasts. But something was wrong! Her signal was slightly different. What is it, he wondered?

As the other creature walked over to the cave he knew he had to react. Armed with only newfound energy, ability and bravery, he leapt down to create the diversion; ready to use every advantage he had in the forest. He landed behind the beasts standing poised to react. That’s when he realized how large these creatures actually were. He didn’t even reach the height of their shoulders, and he was considered tall amongst his people. And look at the shine on their black skin as their muscles rip with the slightest movement! Now, this is no time for accolades, he told himself as both creatures turned around in sync. Startled by the sudden sound, yet they were still also poised and ready to leap.

Okay braveheart, he said trying to hype himself up. Let’s see how agile they are in my domain of tangled roots and vines. He leapt up with blurred quickness. Instantaneously and much to his surprise, these large predators were matching his every move, leaping, climbing and swinging upward from root to vine. How could that be so, he wondered? Not with their size! Then he noticed that they split beneath him and went in different directions. It appeared to him that they were actually moving faster than before and coming closer to him on both sides. He realized there’s nowhere to go because soon he’ll be at the top of the forest canopy.

He started to feel weak and vulnerable as he saw them closing in for the kill. Then again, he just reacted! He curled his body up into a ball and just let it drop. Gravity will bounce his body off any root in any direction making it difficult for his would be killers to plan an attack. This might work! But what about the landing? He was bouncing down rapidly only suffering minor injuries. However, he knew the crash landing would cause some broken bones, if not death. His efforts to escape would be futile.

As he braced himself for the impact, he heard the mental instructions from his sister below. She said, "I’m going to catch you so don’t relax your body. Stay curled up in that tight position/ it will be easier for me to handle you.” At that moment he thought, how could she? She is smaller than me! She is taller than most of the females of our kind. But definitely not strong enough or heavy enough to handle the dead weight of me; her beloved brother of one year her junior. They were the two eldest siblings in the family and learned a lot from each other. Their care runs deep from life and death experiences together. Could she be risking her own life for mine? He asked her, and she simply replied, “trust me!” That was enough. 

He landed in her arms, and she bent her knees to soften the impact. As he uncoiled his body, he looked at her in amazement. He gave her a big hug. He felt unusually small in her arms. Could it just be in his mind? Due to the family care he just experienced, he noticed his color gradually changing from red to yellow.  

But her size! Something is wrong! He jumped down, backed up, looked at her then realized that it wasn’t just in his mind. She grew! That’s why her signal was different. He wondered if this was a result of the traumatic experience they had just gone through. After all, he became more confident with more control over his abilities. Why couldn’t she grow larger and stronger? He asked her and she said, “No!” “Oh well” he continued with familiar playfulness, “You can truly be my big sister now!” But she was serious when she said, “There’s more to it than just being larger and stronger. I’m changing inside as well. I am moving on to the next stage of development. I could never imagine harming a nail on your finger, brother. But if what those guys heading down towards us told me is true, then I will not be able to resist the instinctive desire to sink my claws deep into your flesh after my metamorphosis.” 

With that said, he backed up towards the cave. His color is now blood red. “What are you talking about,” he asked, “...next stage, desire to kill? We are all the family we have left! Snap out of it! I need you!” 

“I will yearn for you too, brother. You know how I care” she said, “But you will be without family for at least another year, if you survive that long... until it’s your time to change and join us; your new family.” At that moment she turned black, right in front of him. 

He stumbled backwards and tripped. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he said to himself. “This is too much ...all in one night. I can’t digest it all. I need more time to think.” 

As he begins to get up to head towards the cave, his worst nightmare continues to unfold. The two creatures had landed on the other side of his sister. He wondered if it was appropriate to even think of them as creatures or beasts, if it was true that they were once like him ...and he will soon be like them. 

He turned to face the three large black figures full frontal, not knowing what to expect. His sister turned around as well. There were a few frozen moments where no one moved. Then one of them pointed towards him and then walked in the direction of his sister. The other walked towards him. That’s when his sister jumped back and said, “Wait! I will not let you hurt him! I am not fully changed yet. So, I will fight you with every bit of life I have left in me.” The large black figure continued to walk with intent. Then as he began to pass his sister, she punched him fast and hard! The figure hit the ground, holding the side of his face. He was shocked but without retaliation. He shook his head, okay! He got the message. 

The other figure walked up behind his sister and put his hands on her shoulders to comfort her. Then he said, “It’s okay, it’s alright.” She turned with a rush of emotions from all that had happened and hugged him tightly. She turned slightly yellow, then back to black. That’s when her brother knew, they were her family now. 

The three black figures came together and started to walk away, when his sister turned around to wave goodbye to him. Then she said, “Be strong, be smart brother, I want you to live! 

Both winged figures firmly held her hands and lifted her to one of the highest roots in the thick forest canopy. Then the three of them climbed their way to the top of the forest. 

Now he was absolutely alone. But he was determined to live. Time is all he needs ...time to think about what has happened ...time to plan for what may happen ...time to seek answers for the many questions he has ...time to change a few things around here ...time to change.