The Dark Sire Issue 4 (Summer 2020) | Page 15

edge, not only due to the peril it would put him in, but the dreaded thought of seeing the final resting place of his sister. He covered his ears with his hands, fighting off all finality. Far removed from the family’s woes, Problem- Solver’s work was not done. Now more than ever, haste was required. She plummeted to the bottom, joined by Swift, Acrobat, and Rebirth at the child’s corpse. Problem- Solver landed on her, and the soft mushiness just under the skin caused Problem-Solver to snap her beak in delight. She hopped aside quickly so Rebirth could begin his work. He tore into the body of the child, gouging a hole into her chest to scale with the canyon surrounding them. The boys clicked their beaks in delight and hopped about Rebirth, desperate for a bite. Rebirth did not consume the flesh, for he knew better than to take what was not his. The smell of innards filled the air and soon Acrobat was unable to take it any longer. He hopped forward and reached his beak out to partake in the fresh carnage. As his beak reach forward towards the flesh, Problem-Solver barreled into him, knocking him onto his back and pinning him to the ground. She pecked at his face and body, taking his left eye and breaking through his skin to leave large gashes across him. Acrobat cawed in pain and wiggled away, flying a few yards off to nurse his wounds. Swift followed his brother, having realized how serious Problem-Solver was. The coyotes, eagles, and other animals that were gathering at the site kept their distance as well, either out of respect for the Agreement or for fear of Problem-Solver’s beak. 13