Chapter Twenty-Two

My awareness faded in and out, but I heard enough to understand that something was happening around me, picking up on the snarls and thuds of conflict that were trickling through to my addled brain as my body fought to protect itself.

Throbbing radiated out from my right side, and I realized I was still laid out on the forest floor as sharp sticks stabbed at me through the thin barrier my clothing afforded.

Yet, those pinpricks of hurt were nothing to the avalanche of suffering I felt as the damages that I’d sustained during the skirmish came roaring back to the surface in full force.

Everything remained black initially as I failed to unstick my eyelids, but it seemed my other senses were boosted, as a result.

Gradually, I came to comprehend that not much time had elapsed since I’d crumpled in place, the loud yelps I detected signaling that a brawl was ensuing in close proximity, but it didn’t appear to be lasting for much longer based on the noises tapering off.

Reminding myself