Is my tongue numb?
I stuck it out and tried gently biting it.
“My tomb ith numb.” I wiggled my finger and noticed the tip turning a bright red. “Wha ith happnin.”
“Care for something to drink?” The figure popped its eyes open and gave me a strange smile.
“Um.” I gave it a wide berth as I went around them. “No tank ewe.”
I heard a dismissive sniff and watched as whatever it was melted into the bushes.
“Welf, tat not thrange.” I rolled my eyes and followed the path, trying to find a place I could turn.
“Everyone! Did you see that?” His voice sounded shocked. “Only the hooman passed the second challenge!”
What challenge?
My feet felt weird in my shoes, so I lifted one foot up and saw the sole had been melting off. With a scream, I ran forward, glancing over my shoulder. The path behind me melted away!
“Thit. Thit. Thit. Thit. Thit. Thit. Thit.” I ran into another bush and felt its barbs stabbing me. The branches moved with me, almost as if they were hugging me. Sounds of fabric tearing filled me with fear as I fought to detangle myself.
The limbs suddenly let go, and I fell backwards, hitting the ground hard. “Oof!”
I felt a gentle breeze through my tattered garments and let the tears run down the sides of my face.
“Thith! Thucks!” I yelled at the sky.
“The tiny hooman is on the ground! Is this it for her?” Wicked laughter chuffed out of the bastard, and it filled me with anger.
And determination.
Pushing myself up from the ground, I removed the top part of my shoes and carried them as I paced, trying to decide if I wanted to go left or right.
Choosing left, I walked slowly trying to look at each little thing. I didn’t want to be stung again, or to have my feet melt off my body.
Stupid planet.
As I followed the path, it felt as though it was getting narrower. I paused and looked back, then turned to look the way I was going, and it looked the same.
But why doesn’t it feel the same?
I took one more look both ways before I continued on. In the distance, I heard screeching and sounds that made my skin crawl.
Pausing in the path, I lifted my head to listen to the cries and heard the mic crackle.
“It is Marvummoth versus Atanian!” An unfamiliar voice stunned me, and I looked up to the sky. “Who will prevail?”
He sucked in a breath. “You know, Tynnar, both planets yield females who do not excel in combat.”
“Very true, Xygur, this could be anyone’s win.”
The audience chanted and cheered, and I felt a pit grow in my belly.
Did no rules mean … violence?
Something wound around my ankle and yanked me to the ground, dropping me down to be flat on my back. Vines wrapped around each of my limbs, and I felt my clothing stripped from my body.
“Oh! The puny hooman is down!” Tynnar’s pitch heightened.
