I slowed my pace as a soft yellow light cut through the darkness of the surrounding landscape like a beacon. She must be there.

The surrounding area might be hiding the moving nest so it is best I exercise caution when getting close.

I trot behind some buildings, climbing on top of one that would give me the best vantage point. It took a little work to get up the smooth rock sides to the flat roof.

I had chosen well as I looked over to the small metal vehicle they must be in that is illuminated by the light. The metal sheets and chains covering it protect the glass underneath.

In the distance, past my mates holding, I see the heads of many peaking around in the darkness. They must have heard the scream as well, its only logical that they would come to investigate. How to lure them away? My claws tap against the hard stone as I think.

I am bigger than most but up against an entire nest it is foolhardy to say I can possibly win with those odds stacked against me.

I can not wait if they discover them in the metal machine, it must be prevented from happening or it will be too late to save them otherwise.

There is a human settlement east of this location. I could let it slip to one of the outliers that there is food more interesting that way. The information would ripple through the group at a fast pace. That is a good and bad thing to take advantage of, the biggest risk is the group turning on me.

I need a plan b just in case, I look around closer to me from alley to alley, roof top to roof top. Most of the surrounding roofs are triangular, and have nothing really to offer besides some leaves and some white stuff painted on to it.

An adjacent roof top very close to me takes my interest as I inspect it closer. A shiny object gleams in the faint light but my eyes can pick it up with ease at this distance.

Leaping over to the the other roof proves to be quite easy and I do so silently. The object turns out to be round and deep, perfect for what it will be intended to do. The stuff surrounding it is useless as far as I can tell.

But just in case I rummaged around lightly to see if there are other objects that may be useful.

Another smaller round metal object clatters to the ground with some metal looking tools inside as I searched in between soft rags of clothing that stunk of putrid water.

It could be useful as well for something else.

The wheels in my head start turning faster. I've got a better plan forming that just might work.

Returning to my original spot I look around. The nest is progressing slowly toward the spot where the group is hiding making sure to search every nook and cranny, it looks like.

The indigenous species that my female is apart of are infamous among my kind for their ingenuity and persistence. So great care must be taken when flushing them out. It will take them a while to get here.

My plan is not very pleasant but it should work. Starting with phase 1: hiding their scent completely.

I leap down from my perch and slowly slink my way to the light post. With the metal tidings in my hand I leave the small metal container and the tools inside beside a close building to come back for them later.

I position the deep metal container in front of me and wait for nature to do the rest.

A few moments later the soft tinkle of liquid hitting the metal container stopped as my organ finally empties out.

I carefully grab the container by the sides, slowly I walk over to the metal machine they are in. I stay right outside the direct light, avoiding it and determined to stay in the soft halo of indirect light.

Tentatively I sniff determining where to start first.

Sloshing the precious liquid around the spots with the most pleasant scents will help Dampen their scent and strengthen the scent of my own species with my waste. So I start on the front panel where the scent is strongest to me, drenching it with a stream from the container before moving on.

Wheels...this patch of dirt...this side....

Double checking the surrounding area is crucial for this to work so when I am finally satisfied with the result I chuck the rest of the liquid on the vehicle, drizzling my waste from top to bottom.

Its time to go back and start the second phase of my plan: distraction.

The building close to the light source is dark and welcoming. Outside I see wrappers in bright colors strewn on the floor. There might be something I can string together the small tools with to make a clinking noise when disturbed.

Looking through the store, it seems to be bare of the essential items that I seek. Time is of the essence.

As I head out the door something small rolls underneath my foot as I step. A clear package with a string inside.

Grabbing the package I run to the building where the smaller container is waiting with the small tools.

I take both tools looping them until they are securely fastened to the string.

Now to find live bait. I am not too picky considering our dire need.

The surrounding buildings are a perfect place to hunt down a critter. The overgrown shrubbery and various hiding spots are very attractive to prey animals wanting to hide.

Going down the street randomly I choose a building where the thicket is thickest, and wait patiently within, hiding.

It seemed that the gods have been answering my silent prayer for luck. When a large furry beady eyed creature stopped right in front of me.

For all its sniffing and quickness it didn't matter, the overgrown greenery hid my form and scent.

I darted out from underneath clutching its fur. The thing squeaked for about a second before it decided to resign itself to its fate, it grew limp in my hold. Unfortunately for him or her, I need it to be alive to bring confusion to the nest coming nearer to my beloved.

I gently looped the string around its neck making sure the metal tools are close enough to make noise and secured it.

The animal is too limp, I hope it didn't die of fright because I do not know if I will be able to wait for another one with such limited time and luck.

I set the creature down gently onto the floor of greenery. It leaped back to life darting away as soon as I let go, it had feigned death.

Chuckling at the relief that it wanted to live. I could hear tiny clinking noises as it moved away further into the area.

Finally the final phase to complete: infiltration. The best way to disseminate unreliable information without much convincing is to attack the weakest link in the group.

I have to find the skinniest and most desperate of the outliers. Convincing them will be pivotal in moving out the nest before dawn. It will only take a whisper of a word promising an abundance of food for the nest to have them in the palm of my hand. They will be blinded by the hunger for acceptance and a move up the ranks to take the risk. Life in the outer rings of the group are grim and brutal. Not many survive the first year.

I make my way back to my vantage view, the nest is much closer. A wave of them move away in the direction of my bait.

Good.

The middle of the nest hasn't dispersed though. Its inner rings circling, swarming, and buzzing hypnotically around a still figure in the middle.

The queen is cautious of all with good reason. She may have control now but if the nest is hungry enough they will cannibalize its own members without mercy.

Its time to move and find the weakest link among them. I leap from roof top to rooftop getting further and further away. The alleys below are filled with stinking material in all sorts of stages of decay.

The first group i came upon had scavenged a long dead corpse. They fought fiercely over the scraps, tearing sinew from bone before crushing the remnants of the carcass between their teeth.

The group looked somewhat healthy with muscle clearly defined underneath their skin covering. This might not be the group for me. I need to search a little more closely to the main center, the weak are oftentimes lethargic and take time to get to the hunting and scavenging parties that have broken away.

The rooftops gave way to more and more trees forcing me to the ground. Stealthily I stay in the shadows, letting the vegetation shield me from the others unwanted attention.

I circle various candidates without them knowing, one of them was especially lame. He walked with a limp and his once glossy skin is matte, ravaged possibly by disease. His days are numbered, I am sure he knows it as well. Looking at the others I decide this is the one.

He has nothing to lose and everything to gain from my information. Maybe this will let him be comfortable in the last days of his life. The others move away slowly leaving him alone to find any scraps they might have left behind. This is my chance.

Cautiously I let him know my presence. I greet him with our customary three clicks of polite greeting before introducing myself.

His eyes milky with age focus on me and his nose bridge furrows as I appear past the foliage.

" Hello, nest brother. How can this humble servant be of service.......you are not of us?" He hesitates looking uncomfortable already realizing that I am a stranger.

"No, I am passing by but I frequent this area sometimes on my travels, nest brother" quickly trying to reassure him. I want to get to the point already but that might make him more suspicious than he already is.

" I see that your nest is stopping for a snack...I have been through this area many times before as I have said before...there are only meager offerings here" I take a long pause for a dramatic effect before continuing " I...I know of a place just east of here that has much better offerings....I haven't gone there because I am alone and vastly outnumbered"

The old one's eyes squinted hard at me throughout my speech but his eyes widen when I had said that there where too many for me to pick off, let alone eat. His eyes gleamed with shrewd cunning.

" what do you want?" He took the bait, yes. To good of an opportunity to pass up, huh, old one.

I let a smile take over my features while answering " Just to come along for some of the fight and feast with the nest if this campaign is successful"

That seemed to satisfy him, I didn't mention that I wanted credit for showing them the bounty. I don't want that recognition, he can have it. He would love it anyways, getting the glory and whatnot. I have other more pressing matters anyways than being included in a nest again.

I sit down motioning him to do the same. He looks at me expectantly as he took a seat beside me. I begin describing the coordinates, landmarks, and whatever information I had on the stronghold to him. Even if he were to betray me and leave me behind. They would still leave the area for the food.

A longer page than the last few. Its getting good, right. Some 🎬 aactiuon coming up. Please comment, like, or share.