Toys

Book Two
THE SECRET LIFE OF SKUNKS
Chapter 21

I was being chased by commandos and trained wildcats. If the cats got to me first, I’d be torn to pieces.

On and on I ran through a murky landscape, the color of dark blood, with the ground endlessly collapsing beneath me and my leaden legs scrambling desperately to stay ahead of God only knows what kind of danger.

The strength I had always depended on was gone-I was weak, helpless, someone who didn’t matter anymore, someone who couldn’t fight back.

Shadowy terrors clutched at me, and everywhere I turned, hateful faces loomed close, screeching those awful words I imagined I’d heard:

He’s human.

The worst thing by far was the terrible shame of the words.

This man is a skunk.

I could feel the wildcats now-so close-and hear the sound they made, like a high-pitched drill.