Dark Empathy by Archibald Bradford (inspiring books for teens TXT) 📕

began to disappear on the horizon. It was a warm night with no hint of rain, so they opted not to bother the occupants of the numerous farmhouses they passed and ask for shelter, instead they simply pitched their tents for a bit of privacy.

“Goodness! How can she stand that much sweetness?” Ophelia said.

With their camp set up she sat with Nina and Nameless, the three watching Bruti as she ate.

The Grizzly sat cross legged on the ground, a heavy clay jar with ‘Bruti’s Honey Pot’ scrawled across the face of it nestled against her groin. She was hunched over it and repeatedly dipping her massive paws in to scoop out the honey within.

The sticky goop was getting all over her face, but she was unconcerned with the mess as she placidly licked it off of her thick black claws.

She’d been at the jar for several minutes already and showed no sign of slowing down.

Munching on a cracker, Grant offered an explanation.

“Like I said, she just came out of hibernation, so she’ll be stuffing herself for the next week or so. Make sure you seal whatever food containers you brought with you, and don’t leave any of it in your tent.”

Without looking he held the rest of his cracker out, Bruti snatching it away with one sticky claw before it quickly found its way to her mouth.

“You’re joking.” Ophelia said with an incredulous expression.

He reached over and rubbed the back of the bear’s head, taking a moment to scratch at her ears.

Though she let out a murfling sound of appreciation at the attention, she didn’t stop eating.

“Don’t blame me if you wake up with a hungry Grizzly nuzzling through your leftovers. Oh and if you do, for your own safety don’t try to stop her.”

Nina’s snorted with a frown.

“Strange women in my tent should be more concerned about their own safety.”

Grant gave her an exasperated look.

“Fair enough, but all the same, she can’t help it. It’s her instinct to forage right now, so if you would kindly take a few precautions.” He directed the request to Nameless and Ophelia.

He had quickly learned that the two of them were more reasonable than the little red powerhouse.

“No midnight snacking. Gotcha.” Nameless nodded.

Nina crossed her arms and huffed.

Unfortunately, the three of them neglected to mention the ban on midnight meals to Erica and Milly, which led to a very awkward moment when night fell and they all sought their bedrolls.

As she had countless times before, Erica woke up late in the night and had a drink of Milly’s milk, the Minotaur sleepily holding her close to her breast as she fed.

But this time, shortly after the Katje had her fill and had dozed off again, they were all brought wide awake by a panicked low from the Minotaur.

When Nameless got their lantern going they all saw the Grizzly latched on to Milly’s exposed nipple, suckling hungrily in a bid to get at her milk as the cow watched in wide eyed panic, her hands held up next to Bruti’s head as she tried to figure out the best way to get the bear off of her.

She needn’t have bothered.

“Oh you mother-FUCKER!”

“Nina, wait!”

But Nameless was too slow to stop her, and Bruti roared in startled annoyance as she was torn off of Milly’s teat with a wet pop and bodily hurled out of the front of the tent to crash into the trees thirty feet away.

Fortunately a shirtless Grant scrambled out of his tent at the sudden disturbance and was able to intercede before his irate bond-mate could charge back at a naked and furious Gigas.

To say that he was embarrassed would be an understatement, though Linda kept laughing that odd laugh of hers, tears streaming down her face.

While surprised, Milly was ultimately unharmed by the Grizzly’s invasive snacking and she was able to keep Nina’s anger in check until Volka smoothed the whole thing over with her calming aura.

They made a mental note to give the hungry bear a healthy portion of Minotaur milk before they bedded down in future, while Erica’s late night cream-cravings would simply have to go unfulfilled.

__________

While Nameless and company were dealing with the hungry bear, Rebecca fled through the streets, Carol’s package forgotten in her bag.

For what seemed like ages she simply ran under the harsh orange light of the grid above.

Over and over in her mind she saw the old lady’s face cave in and saw Carol’s indifference to it, and heard her supposed lover’s promise of death for the bunny girl.

Tumultuous feelings of grief and fear had spurred her on well past the point of exhaustion and she inevitably tripped over her own feet, stumbling to her knees with a startled cry.

She couldn’t get up.

She wasn’t hurt, at least not physically, but she couldn’t bring herself to stand.

It was near to midnight and the street was nearly empty, but one man stopped at the sight of the broken hearted Lapine sobbing on the ground.

“Hey there little missy, you alright then?”

She didn’t hear him at first, too trapped in her own mind, but he startled her when he tentatively laid his arm on her shoulder. A harsh scream tore free of her chest and she lashed out with one powerful foot, taking him in the stomach and sending him sprawling.

Her instinctual fear was quickly replaced with remorse when she realized that he was just trying to help.

“I-I’m so sorry!” She begged.

His only response was a painful groan, but her emotional turmoil and outright fear of the men in Carol’s employ had her running again before he had regained his feet.

Her headlong flight was cut short a second time a few minutes later when an intense buzzing noise surrounded her and she was