Page 13 of Star Season
“Lose me in deep space!” exclaimed Holston, slamming on the brakes.
We screeched to a stop.
Now, halted, I could see that it was a huge animal of some kind, all covered in dark fur. It was taking up the entire road.
“Can we go around?” I said.
“I’m not sure we’ll clear those trees.” Holston gestured, and I could see that on either side of the road there were trees, too close. “Shit.” He threw open the door to the speeder and climbed down.
I followed suit.
Holston walked around the front of the thing. I followed him.
And then recoiled, letting out a little noise. The front of the creature was a mess of gore. Its face and front had been removed, leaving a red-smeared rib cage jutting out.
Long ropes of bloody guts were strewn out in a line from the body, a macabre path leading off the road. The fur of the animal was blood spattered.
“Shei, maybe you should go back up into the speeder,” said Holston.
“I’m fine,” I said. “I’ve seen it now.” I was defensive, but it was pretty gross, and I wasn’t honestly used to seeing this kind of carnage. “What did this?”
“What do you think?” he said.
“A vvoln?” I cringed. “How big are vvoln?”
Holston laughed.
I hunched up my shoulders. This animal was enormous. It looked as though it would have been as big as our speeder if it hadn’t been half eaten.
“Predators can take down prey bigger than themselves,” said Holston. “Vvoln aren’t as big as these guys—this is a jurrn—but they’re big enough.” He gestured with his hand to indicate chest level. “About this tall. Go on all fours. They have tusks.”
“Yeah, I looked at some pictures on my bracelet.” Great, my voice was trembling.
“Go into the speeder,” said Holston.
“What are you going to do?” I said. “You can’t move this thing.”
“It’s mostly hollow, shei,” he said. “I’ll just drag it off.”
“I’ll help you,” I said stoutly.
He snorted.
“I can help,” I said, insistent now. “Look, we’ll each get a leg.” I went over and found one of its legs and wrapped my arms around it and tugged. Itwasmostly hollow, and I was surprised at how light it was. I was able to drag it by myself.
“Shei, I got it,” he said.
I let go of it. “I guess you probably don’t need help,” I decided and backed away.
He took over, tugging on the carcass. He pulled on it, and it sort of folded in on itself, collapsing.
I recoiled again, this time from the splatter of blood. Luckily, I wasn’t close enough that any got on me.
He grunted, pulling harder, except this collapse meant that the animal ripped in half, and there was a tearing noise, and more blood—
Eew.
I turned away, grimacing. I was embarrassed, butgross.
