Citizen 219 Warrick

TW: Light descriptions of blood

Cold from the sky

This morning was the first time she’s seen show, she somehow got outside and was moving through the farm and trees in shock before Canto came 

~~

Warrick (young at adoption center/memory)

Today was especially hard. After a good bit of convincing Canto somehow got Warrick to agree to another adoption meeting with a young couple. She hasn’t had one in awhile and he thought it would be a good idea as a way to keep her hopes up.

It didn’t go well.

Afterwards Warrick talked to Canto about it and together they decided that she would just stay here until she was old enough. It already would have been really hard to transition to a new home and with with her track record there wasn’t much hope of that anyway.

After a long and hard day it was now time to go to bed. Because of her age and todays decision he decided to clear out one of the back rooms for her to stay in until she was old enough to leave. This would help her rest better as the younger Rexals could be a bit rowdy and loud at times.

Taking one last walk outside a chill ran through Warrick. The air was getting colder than it has been and it wasn’t long before small white flakes started falling from the sky, meaning the Elders decided that it was time for winter. For a long moment Warrick stood watching the flakes fly through the air. She used to like snow, but the last several years it had left a deep pit in her stomach. Feeling that odd fuzzy part of her mind coming to the surface she shook her head, before heading back inside to sleep in her new bed.

~~

(dream)

The first thing Warrick noticed was the biting cold nipping at their nose. The second was a heavy scent of something… wrong.

Thats when she started to stir awake. The feeling that something was wrong kept pushing at her and soon she stretched and opened her eyes. The sun had barely started to shine but it was enough light to see the front door was wide open. Thats why it was so cold inside here. 

But the light also showed something else. The walls and floor were painted in deep red splattering, like someone had been dying wool and threw dye around. But this wasn’t that. The heavy scent of iron instantly told her it was blood, and a great amount of it. Instantly she was on her feet, terror flashing through her.

“Mom! Dad!” She called out, voice shaking in fear and confusion.

When only silence answered her, she moved around the house, slowly following a trail of blood until it stopped. The tables were turned over and partly ruined, splintered in areas. Behind them, poking out was a pale blue paw which Warrick instantly knew was her mother’s… and she wasn’t moving.

It had to be instinct but Warrick knew she was gone. And if she was gone then her father was as well. He was massive and would have done anything to protect her and Warrick. 

Even though it didn’t make sense Warrick moved to run outside, desperately looking for her father or anyone to help her. But outside was different. A freezing white powder covered the ground, covering the grass and dirt completely. After only a moment of hesitation she took her first leap into the snow and instantly fell. Red stained the fresh white powder where she landed. She must be hurt as well but right now she had to find someone to help her mom. There was no telling what could have happened and the sooner she could find someone the better.

Finally she felt something along her shoulders stung badly. It felt raw. Like the one time she accidentally hurt herself on on her fathers pitchfork for the deer. It made it hard to walk but she pushed through the pain. 

Confused and a bit lightheaded, Warrick moved the best she could through the snow with her stubby hatching legs. She’s only been to town twice and each time was with her parents so trying to find the correct way with all this snow was hard. But eventually she just picked a direction and started walking. Tears started to well up in her eyes as she fought her way through the snow. Behind her was a clear track of her movements along with a trail of the lingering red that was coming off of her.

It didn’t take her long to get to the deer paddocks. She had always liked spending time there and playing with them. Once they understood that their Real caretakers were not going to harm them they were always quite sweet. But even they were no place of comfort. Just like her home the paddock was smeared with blood staining the now white ground. She tried to look away but she couldn’t help but notice the bodies of some of them out of the corner of her eye. Even just walking past was hard, the scent of blood wafting over to her

She cried out a few times for help but the only answer was the silence of dawn. Somehow he found her way to a path and her hopes rose a small bit when she saw a young somewhat familiar Rexal nosing through the underbrush. 

Crying out for help once more got their attention and after their initial state of shock they ran over, concern filling their expression. 

“Please go help my mom!”

For a moment they looked hesitant to leave Warrick here but taking another look, “stay here alright!”

Instantly they ran off, moving much better through the snow than Warrick did.

Just like any young Rexal she didn’t quite listen or even register what was said to her and kept walking. Now she was just cold. The pain she felt beforehand had now faded away and it took everything in her to keep walking and not fall down. If she stopped she knew she wouldn’t be able to continue. But it was hard. And she was so tired. 

She tried her hardest to keep walking but before long she tripped, falling face first into the freezing snow. Struggling for a bit she got up but it wasn’t 5 steps before she fell again. Every ounce of energy seemed to drain from her in that moment. Her legs didn’t want to work anymore and it took everything just to lift her head out of the snow. But it felt so good to lay down.

The cold was gone now and soon she just closed her eyes, ready to rest her body and mind from what happened today. It wasn’t long for darkness to overtake her. It was comforting in a way and she sank further into that darkness. Until something nudged her hard before lifting her off the ground. She growled only slightly but that didn’t stop the hand from running roughly up and down her back. 

The next thing she remembered was being in a warm room under a blanket with a strange Rexal watching over her. Their pelt was a pinkish color but that about all she could see from the single moment she opened her eyes.

~~

Warrick sat up in shock at the seemingly sudden change of surroundings. It took her a few moments to realize she was safe in her bed at the Center and not stuck in that day. She released a reflexive shiver before burrowing back into her blankets.

It’s been since she had that dream. The older she got the less time it took to snap out of it but it always seemed to hit on the first real cold days. Even thought light was started to peak through the window she knew Canto would let her be if she needed for the day. He always seemed to know when she just needed a day.

Author: Gypsy-Fate