~~~~~

...something wasn't right.

No, this wasn't how it was... supposed to happen.

Mary sat, watching, as her closest compatriot froze up.

She knew the feeling well. To be presented with danger, to stare it down and do nothing...

The very angry one across from him, who smelled and looked like her favorite member of the herd, hit the warped tree beneath him and made noise. Noise that Mary could not understand, but knew nonetheless.

More noise joined him. Hacking. Spitting. Frothing at the mouth.

Noises Mary had not heard since she had gone to bed, and woken up with pain in her leg.

Her legs, which now betrayed her. Her legs, which forced her to sit and watch.

To watch, as her herd-member stayed frozen.

To watch, as her old assailant drew closer to him.

To watch... like she had before.

No.

No, Mary couldn't stand for this. She couldn't-- she couldn't let this happen again.

An overwhelming anger began to overtake her. An anger nothing like she had ever felt before. No-- she was tired of sitting here. She was not going to sit here, atop a wonderful cushion, watching as-- as it happened again.

GRRRRRR--

The demon grew closer, its eyes upon her companion's blue leg, its eyes as hungry as they once were-- for her.

Mary had to help.

She had to get up. She had to-- she had to move, she had to--

Mary had to do something--

~~~~~