[Trade] Sheltered

Waking up—alone, cold, afraid—Monster remembered nothing but his name. The bitter sting of the cold biting at his skin even as Monster buried himself in the nest he’d woken in. The hatchling had no memory of his parents or even siblings- if he had any. He could remember being given a name, it had been whispered to him long before he’d gained sight, a soft and gentle voice had uttered it to him countless times.

Sticks crackled beneath heavy feet, footsteps growing closer and closer to Monster’s nest. He lifted his head and peeked over the edge, squinting to see through the fog and ash that covered the burnt forest. He could make out a figure approaching the nest, tall and feathered with bright blue eyes that pierced through the fog. A familiar shape, but unknown all the same. A stranger of his kind he can only assume.

“…Aren’t you a sorry sight.” A voice came from the fog, the figure slowly taking shape as it approached. Dark blue feathers stood out against the thick fog, both striped and spotted with a vaguely skull-shaped mask covering the Cryolophosaurus’ face. Their feathers were thick and long, quite unlike the spikes that trailed along Monster’s neck and body. The stranger was quite large and rather intimidating for a hatchling, but somehow Monster managed to feel at ease with their presence. “Where are your parents, child?”

Monster broke from his trance at the question, blinking up at the adult Cryo. That was a question he asked himself often, he didn’t have an answer to it to be quite honest. “I don’t know…” He said after a pause, pushing himself up to his feet and standing on the very edge of the nest. He had to crane his neck upward to look at the dark blue Cryo, his eyes scanning over the adult’s coat. “Are- are you from my pack?”

“No. No, I’m not, kid. Are you alone out here?” The stranger asked, glancing around to see if he could spot any protective parents returning to the nest or even an older sibling. His gaze returned to Monster when he saw nothing, his tail flicking and dragging along the ground for a brief moment. Sighing, the larger Cryo shook his head and turned to walk away. With some reluctance and deep consideration, he made an offer to the hatchling. “Why don’t you come with me? I’ll show you the ropes, and once you’re ready you can go off on your own.”

Monster blinked in surprise, tilting his head and seeming to perk up. “Are you sure? I could go with you? You’re letting me go with you?” He chirped with all the expected excitement of a naive hatchling. When the older Cryo nodded, Monster happily jumped up out of the nest, stumbling over his lanky legs and standing beside the adult. “What's your name? Is it something cool? Do you have a pack? Can I meet them?”

The feathered Cryo chuckled, glancing down at the hatchling and shaking his head. He began to lead Monster away from the nest and into the ash forest, past burnt trees, and away from the mountains. “My name is Cujo, and… you could say I have a pack, yes. I’ll take you to meet Church- he’s the only other Cryo in my ‘pack’.” The blue Cryo—now known as Cujo—explained as they walked along the edges of the forest. The gray, ash-covered grass soon became green and lush, soft beneath Cujo and Monster’s feet, unlike the spiky dead grass and sticks that Monster was used to.

Monster followed along, listening intently to Cujo’s words and nodding along. Cujo went on to tell him stories as they traveled, the sun setting slowly in the distance and painting the sky a mix of blues, oranges, and light pinks. Eventually, they arrived at an old cemetery, filled with headstones both broken and complete. From there, Monster would get introduced to Church, a feathered white Cryo with contrasting dark purple and gray patterns. He would learn that Cujo and Church were partners- though they didn’t seem to get along all the time.

As days turned into weeks, Monster would grow stronger with time, learning how to hunt small animals and scavenge from others’ nests. Cujo had a habit of telling him stories that didn’t seem quite possible— like the rotting Anteo in the swamp! Dinosaurs didn’t just walk around after already dying, that had to be a lie. Monster mostly stuck to Cujo’s side, as Church didn’t seem fond of him and would often snap at him if he did something slightly wrong or got too close.

One night, Monster had been trailing after a couple hares, his steps near silent as he stalked through the dense forest surrounding the abandoned cemetery. He had the hare in his sight, it had no clue he was even there, busying itself with snacking on some sort of plant. He crept closer and closer, steadying himself as he prepared to rush forward, he could practically already taste it on his tongue. Just a moment longer and—

A white and black flash suddenly came rushing through, spooking the hares right out of Monster’s reach. Church had come and ruined his hunt, stealing one of the hares for himself and letting it dangle limply from his maw. Church snorted at Monster’s surprised and frustrated expression, glaring down at the young hatchling.

“That- that was mine! I was just about to get it!” Monster snapped at the older Cryo, standing his ground despite their obvious size difference. He’d just about had it with Church, stealing his prey, his basking spots- and just being rude in general for no good reason. 

“Should’ve moved faster then, kid.” Church sneered, flicking his tail as he turned away and trotted off rather proudly. With his head held high, Church disappeared back into the forest.

What a jerk, Monster thought to himself, shaking his head in frustration. He’d just have to find something else for himself. Maybe he didn’t need them- Church and Cujo. He could make it on his own, and he would. With a decision settled in his mind, Monster steeled himself and set off with a fiery determination. He would show them, he didn’t need their help, he could make it just fine on his own. Monster took off without a word, never once looking back.

And when he was older, Monster was determined to show them just how strong he was.