“Hey, I just heard they found the Albino with his throat ripped out last night. Honing in on a lady from another gang. Not a smart move.” Scars looked anxiously all around, afraid who might be listening.

“Well it’s been kicking off big style this week. Must be something in the air. Fighting over the ladies. Fighting over whose land belongs to whom.” Domehead had been named after the huge head  that sat on top of  his thick, dark-haired neck.

“How many dead this week?” Scars still appeared terrified. As if an awful fate was on its way to meet him. “By the way, you smell good. Nice scent. Musky”

“Thanks, Scars. There’s at least five I know of this week. The hit and run. Just left for dead in the middle of the road. Drove off and left him to be driven over again. Dreadful mess. Then the dude that was shot in the back because he left the safe zone. All of them young ones without their dad. Tragic. Then three others killed in the gang fights. You know they cut them open and laid bare their entrails. God, my eyesight is getting worse” He squinted, trying to focus on Scars, even though he was standing right next to him.

“I’m scared there will be none of us left by the time Spring is over. Look at them over there. Haven’t got a clue how dangerous it all is.” His two sons were leapfrogging over each other, falling in the dirt snorting with laughter.

“I’m the king of the castle.” Scars’ eldest stood proud on the raised ground and looked disparagingly at his two frolicking siblings. He looked to his dad for instant approval but saw only the deep anxiety forged by life’s bitter experience.

“They won’t get me, dad. Nobody is getting the upper hand on me.” Scars was not so sure. His son had already been in so many scrapes that he had lost count. His entire left ear had been all but ripped off and he had lost his best friend in gang warfare the previous week.

Moments later Scars and Domehead could do nothing as the King of the Castle was taken down by a single bullet and fell lifeless to the ground.

The lifespan of a badger is not a lengthy one.

 

©Cre8ivation