Without discipline, you lose directions,

Find your self trapped in a deep hole of regret,

Strong routine,

Stay consistent,

Even when you fail,

Build your future,

With everday actions.

\\\*would love feedback, opinion or comments\\\*

Was it the blood flowing through him? Is it toxic?

Did her untainted heart reject that sludge?

To think it ran within his veins, so chronic.

A poison bile that her heart couldn't make budge.

A tear in reality to break the matrix.

The robot on autopilot must've gone rogue.

It's displaying signs of love and affection.

Why believe he'd switch his heart on so easily?

Order must be upheld for people’s protection.

Shut it off now, before others follow his steps.

But it's flesh, not metal, they reveal on inspection.

Scarred by her loss, he stopped living, they found.

Tired of fighting for life while his heart's in heaven.

For her, he'd fight his demons as long as he could.

He fought in silence; that battle's now understood.

But now it’s over; he sleeps and wakes restored.

In his arms, his daughter—too perfect for this world.

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently started writing on substack, I’ve started really enjoying it and find it therapeutic but I’d like some feedback how to improve my writing. If anyone has any tips!

Feel like I just need somewhere to vent because I write under a pen name. I’d been literally coming right up to a character death in my book. My last session, I finished the chapter before it, and then my dad died. It feels like my heart is being ripped out writing it now but I don’t want to give up. I want to keep writing. 😭

1. Authentic unedited writings from author’s past self at various ages
   or;
   
2. Writings from author’s past, mastered with the way they would write today, maintaining the integrity of the sentiments shared

And now I'm back on the road

Just slinked down the steps

of another home

Leather soles are wearing thinner now

But I'm back on the road

and the days are cold

as the nights are gray and blue

When I left I took a shirt

just as I did at the last

or an old pair of jeans

just as I did at the last

just another piece

And now I'm back on the road

and the asphalt's wet

and the fallen leaves of Autumn

are turning to black-brown mud

and it's getting dark

and I zip my coat

to walk once again.

I've taken the liberty of conjoining everything I have written for this story so far and putting it into one post to make it easier to digest.

I hope you enjoy it.

WARNING - FERAL is a tale containing graphic animal violence.

SUMMER 1979 (10 years before The Two Legs)

AT THE CENTER OF EDEN'S HEART

What took a single stride of his front paw was equivalent to a mile in young Ojo's enthusiastic sprint towards the promise of a newfound wonder. Today Papa Coro would teach her how to harvest gold! The excitement of branching off their mundane path to venture into the Heartland was overwhelming. She tumbled over herself as she bolted across the plains, yelping back at her father to hasten his steps. Her thrill quickly cut short as her father had called out to her to halt immediately. He slowly stepped over her, staring ahead at the treeline. A low hum vibrating under his throat, just above her head. Grazers Ojo peaked from behind her father's front leg, witnessing a mass collection of antlers and white tails peacefully nipping at the foliage surrounding them. The sun beamed across their backs sending a shockwave through her chest. She stepped forward in awe, only to be pulled back. His low rumble turning more harsh and insistant. We scare. No. She glanced up at her father's stern gaze which remained uninterrupted from the herd ahead. A small yelp whispers its way through her teeth as she cocks her head in question. Hunt? Coro glanced down at Ojo calmly. No hunt. No hunt unless need. He slowly swings his leg infront of her, stepping a detour around the herd to leave them their peace. He huffs through his nostrils back to his young cub. I show gold. The pair saunter casually towards the stream to pass undetected under the trees. Coro glances down at the water, halting Ojo momentarily. Scales. Plenty Scales. Good hunt. No pain. Ojo looks at the slow moving water glistening beside her, scanning the rocks for movement. Her father lets out a humoured huff. Lesson. No hunt. Gold first. He continues his stride, cutting off Ojo's focus as she had saw a plump fish dart just out of her gaze. With a small grumble she quickly turns and ignores that the opportunity had passed.

A low buzz echoed ahead. Coro glanced down and poked the tip of his tongue out playfully. Resting under a branch not more than 20 high above his head was a large nest filled with gold. Ojo's eyes widened as she followed along the path of the buzzing bees surrounding the perimeter. She stood up onto her back legs, enchanted by the sight. Only to clumsily tumble backwards into the pinecones and sticks behind her. Coro huffed playfully and placed his paw against the trunk of the tree. No fall. Must climb. Ojo, quickly staggering back to her feet, shooting her gaze up towards her father. Glancing at the tree, then up to the nest. She let out a squeek of excitement, looking back to her father for affirmation. CLIMB? Coro stepped back, allowing the small path between Ojo and the tree become unveiled through his encouragement. He huffs at her once more. No fall. Ojo scrambled toward the trunk, digging her claws deep into the bark as she began to sprint up the side of the tree. Her enthusiasm enough to carry her more than 10 stories alone. In the blink of an eye she found herself sitting at the branch just above the nest. Embarrassingly glancing down at her father who's calm judgement only made her caution her movements to the branch below her. As she placed her weight against the branch of gold, the low buzz of the nest began to escalate. She looked down at her father once more, hesitation manifesting within her. LESSON. Coro grunts up at her, sitting down on his hind legs as he watches his cub, knowing her capability. Ojo whimpers slightly as she calls down to her father. STING! Coro shakes his head and huffs up at her. GRAZERS STING WORSE. Her gaze immediately darts away from her father. He was right. What is a little bee compared to an antler? What if she met a Scoundrel? Today she must test her might. She let in a long deep breath and grunted it out quickly as she pounced ahead on the branch. Her claws ripped into the nest, sending an army of enraged yellow demons out. Ojo wailed out as she felt the bees begin to stab into her nose. Her eyes flooded with tears and burned like fire as they desperately tried to blind her. She swung her paw up to her face, accomplishing only further agitation against the tiny assailants. Coro called up to her sternly and confidently. NO THINK. CUT.

Ojo wailed out aggressively as she began to feel a tremor building though her chest. Her body began shaking as she felt the blood in her veins rush into her head. She felt warm. She roared out, swiping her claws through the air, slicing through the base of the nest like a razor. Her other paw came down, swatting into the branch and knocking the loosely cut pot of gold, sending it plummeting to the ground. Ojo huffed and roared again, swatting the bees away from her face. She turned around, sauntering towards the trunk of the tree. As her claws dug into the bark, she let out a soft decompressing growl as she slowly climbed her way back down to the world. Coro stood up, looking down at his fierce little warrior with humbled pride. He did his best to avoid swatting a single bee from his face, only to provide her with more strength. Ojo looked up at her father feeling embarrassed to believe she may have made a fool of herself. She turned to sneeze the pain in her nose away from his direction. Her father grunted gently under his breath. Like father. His eyes curling gently as he hums softly. Good hunt. Ojo raised her head accomplishment. A sense of pride swiftly overtaking her. She quickly pranced over to the golden treasure and eagerly awaited her prize. The pain of the stings quickly replaced with the pain of waiting as she could not any longer. She wanted to see what gold was awaiting her. Coro slowly approached and extended his jaw, clamping the hive in his teeth firmly. His paw reached upwards and dug it's claws into the paper wall, tearing the nest in half and spilling a long stream of honey glowing in the sunlight. Ojo looked down in awe at the big glistening comb nestled before her. She had never tasted gold before. The curiosity had become a distant memory the very moment she pressed her snout into the soft sweet hive, lapping the oozing nectar onto her tongue. Purity incarnate. Bliss. Sanctuary nestled its way onto her taste buds. Her small world had become flooded with the floral earthy waters of grace. She hoped to never wake from this dream.

SPRING 1987 (2 years before The Two Legs)

Mama! Quick! Alma darted as fast as he could along the shallow stream, drenching himself in the cold splash. Ojo playfully huffed as she followed along beside him. You quick? Her paws beat down on the dirt beside the stream, vibrating into the trees as she barreled ahead. Her cub roaring out behind her. YES QUICK! His small legs wobbled underneath him as he desperately tried to catch up. His panting echoed through his lungs, pushing himself to his limit to only watch as his mother began to increase her distance ahead. Ojo looked back at her kin, noticing she'd pushed a little too hard and began to gradually slow herself down. Alma triumphantly galloped his way beside her, beaming with delight. SEE? QUICK! Ojo poked her tongue out, mimicking exhaustion as she admired her cub's tenacity. She finally began to slow to a calm stroll and nudged her cub gently with her paw, huffing confidently. Fast. Good. She leads her way through the sticks, Alma in tow, approaching the plains where the Grazers had once claimed. Their number diminishing over time due to the invasion of nefarious Scoundrels. She had hoped to show Alma their company, but their absence has become routine now. As they casually saunter through the open field, Ojo watches the treeline in the distance. Keeping caution, but also hoping to see a sign of gold. Perhaps a time of bliss could give her cub something to cherish, just as her father did in her youth. The sun was due to set soon. She made a plan to search for gold in the morning. Turning back to her cub she groans. Rest. Moon comes.

-

They here. Beethoven snipped back at Dorma as she crept closer to peer through the leaves. Take four. East. Three trunks North, we wait. Dorma whined back in protest. Four is foolish. Need six for Mama. Beethoven snapped back harshly, with a deep growl. YOUNG WILL DIE QUICK. THEN WE POUNCE MAMA. Dorma glared at her intensely, calmly turning back and barking softly at the following pack. The group began to sneak their way through the shadows of the brush, leaving behind Beethoven, Frio and Agnew. Observing the treachery, Agnew breaks his silence. Four is few. Beethoven steps closer, with domineering gaze. They exhaust. We kill. Frio glances away, avoiding her stare. Agnew steps closer, barking firmly. DISLOYAL Beethoven growls heavily and bites down against the nape of his neck LOYAL TO US. She steps away growling harshly, bearing teeth. LOYAL TO YOU. TO US. FEW DIE, MANY LIVE. MUST BE DONE. Agnew grunts firmly, turning away from her. He locks eyes with Frio, who quietly groans. Must be done... Beethoven pushes her way between them, glaring at Agnew, coaxing him to follow. We go.

-

Alma pranced ahead, kicking the weeds in the grass against his paws as he dashed to lead. Ojo followed closely, remaining alert nonchalantly as not to spoil her cub's fun. Her eyes scanned across the brush, carefully observing any movement. A sharp yelp from the clearing behind her spikes her heartrate as she turns to see five grey Scoundrels closing from brush. She roars against their consistent growls and calls out to her kin to find shelter. As she backed herself to protect her cub, another echo of loud yelps emerged through the treeline just north of them. Before Ojo could even turn to face them, she felt the weight of claws and fangs latching their bodies onto her. She swiped to clear the vermin clinging to her shoulder, catching glimpse of two of the demons rushing onto her kin. She could do nothing but stare in shock as they proceeded to sink their teeth into her poor baby's neck and torso, pulling against each other to sever him completely. Her throat burned from the roar shredding through her as the surrounding teeth and fangs began to tear away at her flesh. Her claws swing against the violent mass latching itself against her throat, their teeth pulling against her jaw. She can feel her claws slicing into the face of her assailant, gouging and removing their eye as their paw's pushing and ripping itself against her cheeks and eye, severing her vision as well. She twists to sink her teeth into the furred mound of flesh slicing into her leg and pulling hard, ripping the chunk of flesh away with her fangs. She clutched onto the torn demon and swings it wildly against her other attackers, twisting their body through the air emitting a loud pop from the severed vertebre ensued. Another pair of claws sink into her back followed by a set of jaw lunging for her throat. Successfully, she bites down hard on the snout of the would-be assassin and clamps hard as they pull away. Beethoven, seeing that this beast is far too much for them to handle, howls out to retreat. The Scoundrels pull themselves away, scurring cowardly back into the brush and Ojo continued to viciously remove the head from her assailants shoulders. She roars out in pain and anguish as the sight of her kin lay dead mere branches from her. Her body crumbles and falls to the blood soaked soil as her remaining eye locks onto her baby. Her legs immobilized and her body began to grow numb. She couldn't think. She could only just stare.

SPRING 1984 (5 years before The Two Legs)

BROTHERS

Rasputin had abandoned his instinct to remain still. Death had turned it's focus away from his herd and proceeded to charge in his direction. His frail legs propelled him out of fear but his instinct chose the direction ahead of him. He had found himself surrounded by dark rotting bark coddling him protectively. He curled himself in the fallen tree, shaking violently as his enclosures was invaded by large white fangs pressing through the enterance. The sour scent of blood and warm breath circulated around the young fawn who lay completely trapped in the mercy of fate. Rasputin couldn't look away, his eyes caught in focus of the peering eye glaring at his through the cracks of the log. The tree began to jolt him. Twitching from the sharp claws ripping away at the outer bark as a desperate plea for sacrifice. For what seemed like a lifetime, the young fawn hid. Hearing nothing but the hungry jaws consuming his mother and father and the persistent clamping of teeth desperately trying to reach through the opening. The air had grown wet and cold and the sun had begin to hide away once more. The efforts of the Scoundrels began to dwindle with attempt. Eventually leading to their realization that with their bellies full, there is no need to waste such energy on a young fawn. Just as the moon had peaked in the night sky, Rasputin recoiled from the sudden eruption of howls emanating around him. Eventually he heard their paws begint to patter into the distance. Shellshocked and paralyzed, he still could not bring himself to move. He remained in the dark hallow sanctuary, trembling through the songs of the morning birds. Slowly light began to surround the trees and the sun had returned once more. Rasputin began to slowly pull himself up to his hooves, staring down at the ground as he began to force his small legs towards the opening. The sights of bloodied fur lay bundled a few branches in front of him. Immediately his eyes flooded with tears as he felt his hind legs propel him once more. Away. Far away. He didn't want to see them.

AUTUMN 1986

The cold stream licked against Nikolai's hooves as he found himself once again staring into the ripples of the rushing water. The orange glow emanating from the fallen leaves around him granted a moment of tranquility. A moment cherished. The reflection of Dimitri casually approaching beside him pulled his mind back into reality. He looked up to his brother holding a ripe treeberry in his teeth. Dimitri jerks his head to the side coaxing his young brother to follow. The two casually stroll back towards the herd who stand gathered around the base of the mighty Berry Tree. The bucks of the herd had worked together to ram the tree in unison, causing a wonderful feast to fall to their hooves. Nikolai huffed towards his brother in appreciation and they proceeded to join the group.

The sounds of the neighboring herd gleefully prancing together had made Rasputin's stomach churn. He did not think ill of them. His pain was simply contorting itself at the idea of becoming so vulnerable again. He had kept his distance from any herd or kin for some time. It would be too painful to subject himself to more loss. He cautiously approached the stream, remaining hidden a distance downhill from the herd's frolic. He glanced down into the water at his reflection, almost hesitant to even lean down to drink. Even minor function seemed a unbearable task. He slowly brought his hoof forward, gaining the motivation to at least try to drink. It had been a while. As he leaned down to kiss the surface of the water, a shrill of whining and yelling began to erupt from the herd. Raspitun's eyes darted up to see a single confident Scoundrel terrorizing the peaceful banquet just trunks away. Their teeth glistened in the sun. Their eyes wild and angry, seeking violent satisfaction. Their loud cocky tone... The sight sent tremors through Rasputings body. His legs began to tremble as he felt the blood in his veins flood through his face. Before he even knew what he was feeling, he felt his legs shoot him forward, stampeding towards the hostile invader.

Dimitri called out to Nikolai to run as he circled the threat as means of distraction. The does rushed the fawn away as the bucks began to barrier themselves along the tree-lined beside the mongrel snarling at them. Nikolai, frozen in fear, could not bring himself to move. His hooves cemented to the ground as he had locked eyes with the vicious Scoundrel. He opened his mouth to call out to his brother, interrupted by the echoing warcry of the lonesome caribou charging past him. The massive beast barreled his way directly into the snarling killer invading their home. His antlers carried the threat off the ground and slamming it hard into the Berry Tree before them. A loud crack eminated from the Scoundrel, its loud whining and crying clearly turning from aggression to fear and pain. The caribou roared out in a rage as it stood up on its hind legs and quickly brought down their hooves onto the Scoundrel's chest. The fire in the Grazer's eyes erupted into an inferno as he began to repeatedly stomp on its prey, slamming his antlers down onto the bloodied mutt and impaling him. Nikolai and Dimitri stood and watched in awe as the mammoth had taken their time breaking every bone they possibly could. The huffing and wailing emanating from the large beast began to flutter into cries and sobbing.

Tears poured down Raspitun's face as he dropped to his knees beside the slain Scoundrel. He cried out, sobbing heavily as he bowed his head. He sat, shaking, unable to even breathe. As he sank into his grief, he felt something click against his antler. Just as suddenly another impact had struck itself against his other antler. Rasputin glanced up slowly to see two mules stading directly in front of him. Their heads bowed together, locking their antlers within his. They pulled gently, coaxing him to rise to his feet. Rasputin shakily and slowly began to stand, staring perplexed at the two mules interlocking their antlers as one. Their nostrils flared as they huffed out together in unison. You're ok, brother.

Rasputin stood, surrounded by curious mules staring him up and down. Their curious huffs decorating the questionable display of his bravery. He hunts them... It bleeds... What is he...? Dimitri and Nikolai did not deter their gaze towards the mighty caribou. Dimitri huffed, clicking his front hoof onto the grass in grace. You are strong. Rasputins tears welled in his eyes as his eyes drifted downward towards the bloodied wolf sprawled beneath the tree beside them. His chest began to heave as he felt his stomach churn. He opened his mouth to vocalize his pain again, but he was sharply interrupted by Nikolai, stepping towards him an obtaining his stare. You are strong... The deer had stood before each other for a moment in silence. Rasputins convulsions slowly dwindling as the message the mule had given him began to sink in. He stood firm, planting his hooves in front of them confidently and bowing his head forward before straightening himself tall and stern. The brothers returned the posture in gratitude, puffing their chests and rasing their heads in appreciation. The silence was welcoming. It amplified the sheer pride the Grazers had felt, seeing this pure, raw hope that had manifested itself in the form of this noble stranger. Rasputin had no clue how to decipher the interaction. He had known only loneliness for so long. He didn't know how to react to this welcoming embrace. Mere moments ago he was consumed by anger and violence. He did not perceive his action to be heroic. He felt weak and vulnerable. He had lost himself in a brutal and chaotic madness that consumed his judgement. He was not proud. He was ashamed. Despite his loss and traumas, he had never felt so empty and alone until this very day. But the two mules standing directly in front of him seemed to disagree. The light in their eyes seemed to disregard any doubts he may display. They did not look at him with shame. They did not look at him with pride. It was confidence. They radiated a glow of understanding and acceptance. They saw him. And Rasputin could see them. He saw pain. He saw righteousness. He saw loyalty. Nothing could describe the electricity these brothers had felt, conjoining them into a shared soul for one brief moment. And just as that, the loneliness was gone. Raspituns eyes welled with tears once more. But the pain had subsided. Acceptance. He had felt acceptance for the first time.

Instinctually, the bothers had bowed their heads and locked their horns in a trifecta. The surrounding Grazers looked on as they witnessed the birth of a new hope. Standing underneath the tree which nourished their lives and above the defeat of the threat that had damaged their home, was Hope, Strength and Courage. The army of sanctuary. The blades of Eden. The Brothers Stag.

SUMMER 1987 (2 years before The Two Legs)

Ojo had again returned to the empty plain, resting herself beside the browned grass where her baby was slain. The lacerations on her face had healed thoroughly, though the vision in her remaining eye had yet to clear itself. Whether the blurred obstruction was result of the violent Scoundrels that had ambushed her or the constant flowing of tears was lost on her. Coherence had been long abandoned in her mind as she had begun this new ritual. The routines she once knew had been abandoned only to be replaced with this melancholy reflection of the love she once had. She would sit here. Every day. Staring at the torn soil and dying grass, replaying the event over and over again in her mind. The wail of her kin echoed through her ears, snuffing the tranquility of the flowing water and the rustling of the leaves above. A gutteral moan had pushed its way through her throat, carrying the pain of her loss through the surrounding trees. There was nothing else she knew. Her life had been taken, yet she sat here breathing the warm summer air through her nostrils. The sorrow in her heart had continued to trade itself rage. Constantly swinging back and forth, dueling each other for the position of authority. Her thoughts had deteriorated to mere emotion and she had begun to feel herself losing coherency. As she allowed herself to spiral through the mourning, the sweet metallic scent of blood had brushed itself upon her snout. Freshly drawn and warm. Suddenly, an instant reaction had taken hold inside of her. She could feel her limbs trembling. It felt as if an invisible web had constricted itself around her chest and began pulling her. Before a single thought could manifest itself, she realized she was in motion. Her paws were beating down on the grass with extreme force causing the surrounding leaves to audibly shake as she had barreled her way forward. Her chest was heaving, a deep dark growl began to vibrate through the air around her as she pushed herself faster through the trees.

Just south of the plains, the Scoundrels had valiantly paraded themselves around a dying Grazer, weakly kicking its limbs out in protest as they had begun to tear away at it's flesh, consuming them alive. The yips and wails of the proud pack had traveled towards Ojo's ear, enraging her further. Boiling the blood in her lungs as her roar echoed through the trunks and shool yhe Scoundrels attention away from their kill. HUNT YOU ALL. HUNT YOU ALL!! Ojo's throat felt as if it was tearing open from the sheer force of her groans. As she had suddenly locked eyes with the bastards she pursued. DEATH!!! She screamed. The joy and pride in the wolves eyes had turned to concern and fear immediately. There, between the trunks, was a massive grizzly darting towards their position. And it was mighty pissed. The Scoundrels had scrambled, immediately turning to flee from the angry mother as she closed her distance. I BRING YOU DEATH!!! DEATH!!! The saliva spilling between her fangs painted her gums. The trees had cut into her as she pushed her way through the narrow trunks, snapping and breaking the branches in her pursuit. With so many targets before her, the closest one would have to do. She saw a solitary wolf foolishly stray from the group, seeking refuge in distraction. But they had simply made themselves a much more feasible prey. Ojo turned from the group and charged behind the fool, catching up to him in mere seconds. She lunged toward him and sank her teeth deep into the back of his neck. With one quick motion, she had swung the wolf off the ground, slamming them into a nearby tree. The audible snap of their spine being severed echoed into the packs ears. They turned to see in horror as the enraged mother and thrown the limp body of their comrade to the dirt and proceeded to tear him in half, removing his front left leg and head from his body, spilling his intestines across the grass almost as if an explosive reaction. Tossing the severed limbs aside before glaring down at them and roaring once more, Ojo had darted forward in pursuit , hellbent on catching another. Her growls choked on the fresh blood in her throat as she called out to her prey. DEATH!! I BRING YOU DEATH!!

SPRING - 1988 (1 year before The Two Legs)

AMBUSH

Nikolai held his formation under the tall pines North of The Sticks. Playing the role of bait, his nerves were vibrating at the intensity of the premeditated violence to be carried out in the Grazer's favor. A display of hope to their kin and a display of strength against their threat. He had paced the same patch of grass for some time, flattening the blades beneath his hooves in the anticipation of the arrival of death's acquaintence. One slain Scoundrel would bring tranquility to herd. He patiently waited, scanning the surrounding fauna for movement. He sniffed the air for a scent indicating the presence of the threat. The anticipation was slowly draining his stamina and he took a moment to rest. Carefully allowing his guard to be subsided for a moment of preparation. A snap along the treeline had ripped away the fraction of peace he had allowed himself and he turned his gaze away from the sound eminating just a few trunks away, hoping the feigned ignorance would draw the threat out of the shadows and into the open. He stepped towards the path he and his brothers had planned to lead the Scoundrel towards. Drawing them to the turf of their attack. Just as quickly as he had heard the leaves behind him rustle from the mass darting out towards his direction, he began to charge through the trees and lead his prey to their demise. He could hear the breath of the Scoundrel panting behind him as he had barreled his way through the brush and towards The Sticks, allowing the vulnerability of his lonesome to encourage the beast behind him to trek forward. As soon as he had cleared the brush he bellowed loudly, alerting his brothers of the incoming target. Rasputin and Dimitri had been awaiting his arrival, concealing themselves behind the fallen trees just ahead of Nikolai's path. Hearing their brother approaching the leaped out of their hiding and charged towards their prey. The Scoundrel's gaze turned from aggression to fear as he saw the deer darting toward him and quickly turned to dodge their incoming blows. Rasputins horns made contact with the wolf's hind leg and swept him off the ground for a brief moment allowing Dimitri to slam itself full force into the Scoundrel's chest. The wind been knocked out of them and they couldn't gasp in shock from the brutality of the brothers surrounding him. The deer struck him repeatedly. Snapping the ribs in his chest and impaling their antlers into his flesh as he lie defeated on the soil. The Scoundrel had tried to cry out but the blood filling his throat filtered the calls and he found himself mute. Dimitri slammed his hooves hard onto the Scoundrels face, dislocating their jaw and svering the flesh from their cheek. The beast was dead. Rasputin and Nikolai stepped backwards from their kill noticing Dimitri's rage had not subsided. The mule had continued to strike the dead wolf and he roared out in an anger disconnected from their reality. Nikolai clipped his antlers into his brothers' and Rasputin pushed Dimitri back away from the corpse, locking eyes with the mule and regaining their focus. Dimitri sobbed, leaning into his brothers' embrace and crying out in a harsh gugrled tone. You are ok, Brother. Rasputin huffed out through his nostrils keeping a steady gaze into his brother's eyes. You are ok. Dimitri cried out again, jerking his head away from the embrace, pacing back and forth glaring down at the slain mutt on the ground. Nikolai approached his brother and calmly locked his antlers into theirs. Keep yourself, brother. Dimitris tears poured down his cheeks and he closed his eyes tightl,y pushing his antrlers into Nikolai's. Rasputin approached the pair cautiously and flared his nostrils. We go. Blood attracts more. Nikolai coaxed his brother forward and Rasputin's warning pulled him out of his trance. The trio began to slowly walk away, leaving a cold harsh warning behind them.

CONFRONTATION

Ojo had strolled along the riverside in a melancholy path watching the Scales swim beneath the waters surface. She had picked up the scent of a Scoundrel and trailed it to the location but it had become lost. Her hunt was never-ending. She had been spending all of her time searching for more prey, refusing to allow even a moments rest. She had caught a new scent. Fresh blood had been spilled but it didn't match that of a Grazer. She began to follow the new trail, leading her through the pines and into the brown dried trees. Her blood began to boil as she approached the corpse of a slain Scoundrel lying at the base of the trunks. The scent of Grazers surrounded the area and she saw there were no marks of teeth of claws in the mutts fur. She had become furious. Realizing that the Grazers had began to overstep their boundaries.

She clamped her teeth hard onto the Scoundrel's throat and ripped its head off it's body, carrying it in her teeth as she began to march towards the pines. As she emerged through the brush she witnessed herd of Grazers were surrounding themselves around what seemed to be a trio of exhausted deer. The herd turned their attention to the grizzly approaching with the severed head of a slain wolf in her teeth. She dropped it onto the grass and roared out to the brothers. GRAZERS NO HUNT! Rasputin locked eyes with the enraged mother as she approached him. He could feel the hot breath hitting against his snout as she leaned into his gaze and growled deeply. GRAZERS NO HUNT. The herd cautiously backed away from the mammoth but Rasputin stood undeterred, keeping his gaze locked with the grizzly. MY PREY. Ojo roared, glaring daggers into the caribous eyes as she raised her voice. MY PREY! MINE! Rasputin looked deep into the mother's eyes, witnessing a pain and rage that matched his own. He softened his gaze at the awareness of her trauma. Ojo's eyes darted away from the caribou and turned their focus into the surrounding herd. GRAZERS NO HUNT! NO HUNT! She paced in front of the crowd, fighting the urge to tear them limb from limb. Her glare focused one by one to every buck and doe that stood around her, finally resting back on Rasputin. WARNING Ojo huffed a low groan towards the caribou before turning to walk away, swatting the severed head on the ground out of her path without breaking her stride. The deer stood and watched her disappear into the folliage, unsure how to decipher the peculiar actions of the beast. Rasputin turned to his brothers and huffed deeply. Rest.

AUTUMN 1988

"I'm so proud of you!" Kim squealed with excitement lifting his daughter off the ground in glee. "You're so talented! I didn't know someone could spin so fast!"

Almost a full decade of practice had led Susanne to become a well respected Prima Ballerina at Caberet Performing Arts. She had excelled from a simple green belt in taekwondo in elementary to swim team captain in high school and finally found herself at the top of world in college just a few months from graduation. She felt a small warm drop splash against her when her father finally set her to the floor. Kim choked, wiping the tears from his cheeks.

"Thank you, dad... That one took a lot out of me. I wanna leave an impression before the trip." Sussane replied, smiling bashfully.

"Oh they'll remember that. I know I will. You did amazing, Suzy..." Kim chuckled, regaining his composure. "Now, lets go get some dinner."

SPRING 1989

DANCES WITH WOLVES

Susanne awoke from the sound of gnashing jaws and growls consuming the friends that had accompanied her on her expedition. She found herself laying beside lifeless bodies being consumed by hungry wolves shredding their remains. As she tried to regain consciousness she saw a growling beast marching its way directly toward her, intent on making her another meal. She scanned the ground beside her, seeing a flare gun laying just within her reach. She lunged toward it and quickly fired off a shot directly into the face of the approaching Scoundrel. The flare had lodged itself into the wolf's eye, scalding the beast. It let out a furious wail, alerting the others to the threat that lay broken and bruised on the soil. The cowards scattered away from the scene, leaving Susanne alone with the company of her lifeless party. Her vision had stopped spinning as she had finally began to realize the reality of the situation she found herself in.

Trees. Miles of trees and mountains surrounding her. Her deceased friends lay just feet away, half eaten and pale. She began to hyperventilate, fear taking hold of her perception as she had realized the true peril she was in. She was lost. Alone. Miles away from civilization. Finding herself at mother nature's mercy. What was once an adventure of exploration and excitement had devolved into a terror. Susanne shut her eyes tightly, slowly reopening them to unfiltered reality. The loud wails of the fleeing beasts trailed off and echoed deep into the tall pines surrounding her. She looked down to inspect her body and legs, checking for any broken or fractured bones and lacerations only to feel nothing but minor bruising. She slowly stood, witnessing the brutal banquet made of her closest companions. Susanne began to weep and she screamed in horror, turning away in disgust from the half eaten remains. Her knees trembled and almost caved from the shock. She began to slwoly stagger away from the group, resting herself against a nearby pine. She stood shaking, eyes glued to the fallen leaves.

The sound of twigs and branches snapping a short distance away, made Sussane glance sharply upward to see a large grizzly bear approaching the area. It had scars covering half of it's face and seemed to have only one eye. The bear caught Susanne's gaze and slowly began to approach her. It sniffed the air, inspecting her cautiously. It looked aggressive. Almost angry. The grizzly looked to be glaring at her. It growled deeply. Sussane froze completely still, caught in a staring contest with a one-ton killing machine. She slowed her breathing and waited for the end. When suddenly the bear turned away from her and approached the bloodied mess of organs and limbs laying a few dozen feet away.

"No..." Sussane quietly whimpered, staring at the grizzly through tears streaming from her eyes.

It sniffed the air again and began to pick up it's pace through the trees towards the same direction the wolves had traveled. Susanne curled herself under the tree, convulsing under the sheer trauma she had endured. She looked up to the sky seeing the streaks of vibrant pink and orange painting the inevitable sunset. Whatever she was going to do next, she knew it must be quick.

It must be in a swinging retirement community, have at least a 1/2 bath, and a unisex pickleball court available for all ages up to 65, because after that, what's the point? Also, the asking price must be around 2.5M because that's a fair number to start from, according to every realtor app commercial I see on TV for unemployed first-time homebuyers looking to make their way in the world today. PS- FYI: I am willing to negotiate the number of bathrooms but not the price. Again, first-time homebuyer here. Call me?

Here u can visit and feel like home

There is so much information out in the cyber world, I can't wait to learn, learn, learn, and then write all about it, so please read what I write. It's a simple ask, people. Gotta' go and learn, learn, learn; be back soon!

i want to see if this reads okay or if it's a complete mess :sob: any crit welcome!

Hi! This is my first post! I have taken a long break from writing the last couple of years despite it being something I love to do and have challenged myself to get back into it and improve bit at a time with small pieces of writing. So this is the product of that and touches on that topic in itself, I would love some feedback even though I know it’s very short!

We can do so many things in our life. we can change our views, we can do a lot of hard work. we can maintained our health good, we can decide our goals and also decide how to achieve it within good ways. and the most important thing we can do work on our future to make bright. But some things also in our life which we can’t do due to so many reasons and we cannot control it.

We cannot take back our special sweet moments which was happened in our past. which moments already pass away we can not live again as per our requirement. because we did so many mistakes in our past so its our duty that not to repeat those mistakes and learn from it for bright future.

We might not to control others views and opinions for ourselves or for their selves also. we can try to do good things for others but we can not control their thinking.

we can not change every situation according to ourself. Life has so many ups downs which cannot control by anyone. But it is important for us how to face those problem with courage and peacefully.

Im looking for someone to proofread or give advice to my book.

English is not really my strongest area, and Im mainly looking for help catching grammar, punctuation, awkward sentences, and readability issues. Im not looking for major story changes or developmental editing. Id mainly appreciate someone pointing out things that sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect, as ive already written down alot of materials for my book.

This is the opening of a progression fantasy novel I'm currently working on. If you enjoy the genre and are willing to take a look, I'd really appreciate it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ksR7Wm4pd2FJrbO3mKgUDfHOf9v5vVi8/view?usp=drivesdk

Two people. No romance, just their growth apart and together and their lives in between? Does anyone read a good character driven novel that focuses on their path?

An art that builds success,

An art that leads you toward your destiny,

An art that gives you courage,

An art that makes you stronger,

Fall, Learn, rise, Improve, grow.

The moon loses its light,

The flowers lose their petals,

The trees lose their leafs,

Nothing remains the same,

Every thing in change with time,

Accept it with grace,

It will teach us new phase.

Hello everyone. I hope you’re all doing well. 🤍🫶🏻

I spent six years writing my novel, and I’ve finally finished writing and revising the first book. But I was honestly shocked when I realized how much promotion this field requires just to get a novel in front of readers.

A lot of readers have started basing their choices on questions like, "Is the book popular?" and "Does it have a lot of readers?" But how is a book supposed to become popular or gain readers and reviews if no one is willing to read it in the first place?

And I’m not talking about readers alone. I’m also talking about investors, publishing houses, and the people who only read books that are already popular. I reached out to several people, and they were all excited to read my novel after I gave them a brief overview of it. But once they went to the platform where I published it and saw that it had fewer than 50 readers, they all backed out and stopped contacting me.

I understand that a large number of beginner writers are still developing their craft, and their work may be weak in terms of storytelling or rely on overused ideas and plots. And that makes it difficult for readers to support them or find works that are truly worth their time.

But… I’m certain that if a reader takes the time to look closely, they can tell the difference between a work that is still in its early stages and a work that has been carefully written, thoroughly worked on, and genuinely deserves the chance to compete with major works.

I also tried looking for publishing houses willing to work with me, but I found that most of them have a rather strange approach: "We’ll handle the printing and publishing, but promotion… the hardest part... will be your responsibility, and we’ll give you a percentage of the profits."

Honestly… it’s incredibly discouraging.

If I’m capable of promoting my novel and reaching readers on my own, then why would I need a publishing house in the first place?

In other words… getting a novel in front of people seems to require a substantial promotional budget.

And that means a lot of talented writers and genuinely good works may die before they even get the chance to be read by anyone.

I self-published a novel in 2016 but became ill immediately afterward and never really marketed it. I’m considering re-releasing it now under a new title and cover with the following choices for the title:

-Cats Named Molly

-Everything John Stole

-The Story He Stole

Which title is your favorite and which would make you curious enough to purchase/read the novel?