

With claws outstretched we scale the wall, take station high up on the roof. We can see everything up here. The rot and the filth. The disgusting state of this godforsaken place. But to our surprise, they leave the city. They make their way to the forest and we go from rooftops into trees. We feel calmer here. Nature has a way with people. They stop, looking out over the mirror lake. A peaceful place to die. It's almost poetic. Countless pairs of eyes focused on those hands as they rummage through their bag. They hold up the necklace. Our anticipation grows like a mushroom in our blackened chest. Put it on we whisper. Put the necklace on and accept your fate as sacrifice. Accept your divinity. Holding it up to the sky. They pull back. And throw it into the lake. Our hearts break. We spill forth from the trees. "Save the amulet" we cry. Diving down the inky black. We look around for anything that sparkles. Anything that shines. Then a webbed hand grabs hold of us. We look back into slitted eyes that glow in the dark. We can't scream for the water envelopes me but we try to kick at the monster. They are strong, stronger than us. They just smile, showing sharp blinking teeth, and drill down into our neck. The smell of blood excites us. We just wished it weren't our own. The pain doesn't last for long, loss of blood, loss of breath. Who really cares at this point. We played the game. And lost.