Stolen

Nualla had become lost in the Gabayan forest. Cacophonous, harsh and discordant sounds came from all directions, overwhelming her senses, and slowly began to frighten her. A tiny bird sat on the weeping willow branch above her head, singing a soothing melody, Nualla found comfort and a bit of hope.

Suddenly she heard snorting and hissing. She knew animals, this was not a lion, but a tiger, and it was pretty close. The animal growled. A low, guttural menacing sound. It was on the hunt, a female perhaps, seeking food for her cubs. Female tigers are excellent hunters and can take down prey much larger than themselves. They typically hunt alone, using their powerful bodies, long fangs, powerful jaws and sharp claws to ambush their prey.

What was Nualla to do, she heard the rustling in the undergrowth nearby.

Terrified, she squeezed herself between two vine covered trees. Unknowingly she had chosen the Boquila trifoliolata mimicking plants. They reached out, wrapping Nualla in their eerie shapeshifting magnificence, enfolding her body completely and totally. They had stolen her form, transforming themselves into Nualla. Strangely she could breathe normally, while feeling warm and protected.

Jurney sniffed. She had lost the scent.

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