Epistrèfo
Chapter VI: Tréximo
When he opens his eyes, he is in a different location than when he closed them. This prompts him to instantly leap up with bared fangs and a snarl, eyes automatically locating the nearest shadows.
The Prey that are gathered around him all shriek and pull Danger-Sticks out of seemingly nowhere, but Foniás' gaze snaps to one Prey in particular instead.
It is... for lack of better terms... missing.
And in its place is a pup.
Not a hellhound, or even an adult Preydog, but a strange, sand-colored pup with a scrunched-up shadow-colored snout that looks smashed in.
It makes a sniffle sound, and Foniás stumbles back in confusion, cocking his head slightly.
At this point, the Prey has all relaxed, put away their Danger-Sticks and are making amused mouth-noises.
The pup then vanishes, and in its place is the Prey again. He whines in frustration. Where did the pup go? The Fire-Prey makes an amused, teasing mouth-noise at the Vanish-Prey, and then the pup is back.
What.
Foniás turns to the Sky-Prey and whines. He wants an explanation! The Prey don't even seem concerned that a member of their Preypack disappeared!
Is it supposed to happen?
The Prey are all making amused mouth-noises at him now, and he feels uncomfortable. Of course he doesn't know they're supposed to do that! No other Prey does that! His ear droops slightly. He doesn't like the Preypack that much anymore.
He looks up again, at the faces of the Prey he recognizes. The Vanish-Prey, the Ocean-Prey, the Fire-Prey, the Scroll-Prey, the Sun-Prey, the Death-Prey, and the Sky-Prey.
Foniás the hellhound turns away and leaps back into the shadows.