The Obelisk

I’m so sorry guys! It took me several days to figure out exactly how I’m going to write this chapter, and trust me, it was a very tough script to go through. But it’s here now!

-Chapter 61- (*More Among Us music*)

The young Carnotaur fell back, crashing into the dirt with a thud.

“NEVER talk back to me!!” His father bellowed. He turned to leave, looking furious.

Panting, the small gray-green juvenile lay his head back onto the ground. His body ached from the blow and his tail looked bruised. He sighed and decided it’d be best to just rest there for a minute. Maybe an hour.

“Basil?”

The young Carnotaur opened one eye. His little sister stood beside him, blinking large green eyes his way. “Are you OK?”

“Yep,” Basil said, lifting his head to look at her.

“Why did Dad kick you?”

“Oh,” Basil glanced behind her to see the clay-brown shape of their father in the distance. “Just a little mad at me, that’s all.”

“You said that last time,” His sister mused, her tail waving like it always did when she was deep in thought. Basil admired her intelligent, daring personality. He loved his sister. Little Spark had so much potential.

Basil nudged her comfortingly with his head. “I’m not Fathers favorite carnivore,” he explained to her softly. “Or Mothers, for that matter.”

Basil and Spark had lived here their whole lives, and some humans Ruins. It was located just south of the Broken Meadows, it’s view overlooking the forest and beach beyond. It was a rather benign place for a group of Carnotaurs to live, but at least it was safe.

Basil struggled to a sitting position and glanced up at the sky. Streaks of purple and dark blue faded into sight as the sun sunk below the oceans horizon, letting it’s bright reign end for the day.

Stars twinkled into view as the sky darkened. Spark turned and gazed at the night sky with him.

“Brother,” she whispered after a moment,“remember that prey I caught yesterday?”

“Yes,” Basil said. It had been Sparks first kill. Basil had never been so proud, and Sparks expression of pure happiness was something he’d never forget.

“After I killed it…” Spark whispered softly,“where did it go?”

“What?” Basil didn’t understand.

“Like… when they die. Where do they go?”

Basil struggled to think of an answer. “I don’t know.” He said finally.

Spark ducked her head. “Alright.”

“I’m sorry Spark. I really just—hadn’t thought of that before.” He nuzzled Sparks neck with the top of his snout. “But… if they do go somewhere… I bet it’s really great.”

Spark didn’t answer. She just stared at the flashing stars, her eyes sparkling, and they sat like that for the rest of the night.

***

Four weeks later…

Things didn’t get any better for Basil at the ruins. Father was always fighting him, insulting him or insisting to Mother (at moonhigh, when they thought Basil was asleep) that they get rid of him.

Mother never did the things Father did to Basil. She was much smarter than Father and, although they agreed on almost everything, she persisted that their offspring be kept alive.

Despite her intelligence, Mother was careless. She never spoke or paid any attention to her son and daughter. Apparently, she also despised other species. She was the kind of carnivore that wished Carnotaurs would just take over Fjordur and kill everyone else.

Spark told Basil that Mother and Father may not be the best, but they were still their parents and they should love them. Basil never knew what to say.

Half the time he wished he could just lay down and never wake up again. But he had to stay alive, For Sparks sake. His tiny little sister was turning 1 next week, and she still had so much to learn. Basil vowed he’d take care of her until she could take care of herself.

Spark kept him going through the misery even when he didn’t know it. She needed him, and he needed her.

Basil opens his eyes.

The sun had not yet risen. The scent of fresh morning dew clung to the air around him. He rose to his feet, yawning with a quiet roar. His eyes scanned the Ruins.

Then he realized Mother and Father weren’t there.

Basil took a few steps forward, looking around ever corner of fallen, mossy stone ruins. He sprinted around the willow tree and went to the edge of the cliff, scanning the forest and beach below him. There was no sign of them.

T h a t’ s what mother and father were planning last night, Basil thought.

He heard tiny footsteps behind him, but did not turn. Spark looked up at him, then down to the terrain below. “Where Mom and Dad?”

Basil was still staring out at the crashing waves on the sandy beach far, far away.

They left. Their own parents left them to survive on their own.

A tiny smile appeared at the sides of his mouth. “They’re gone, Spark.”

He’d never been so thrilled.