Snippet #2781590

"Maybe," Otis said, leaning back against a table. "Horik, you want to get off this planet don't you? That's... your goal, right?"

***

Rob sighed heavily. "Listen, Ash, you might be fine killing yourself for your revenge, but in that story, you're not the only one who burns to kill the hunter. The forest dies." Rob leaned forward, his eyes dark. "But I have a different ending for you. The same premise - a hunter who defiles the forest he lives in. But here's where your ideals differ from mine.

"See, there's animals that live in the forest - a wolf, a falcon, a bear," Rob said, a strange light appearing in his eyes. "The falcon watches from above, and sees the sins of the hunter. The wolf smells the trash, tastes the poisoned river. The bear sees the animals left broken in the hunter's wake. The hunter, one day, goes out as he normally does, to hunt. He sees the wolf, and wishes to kill it. He chases it, but the falcon pesters him, tearing out his eyes. Now blinded, the wolf easily tears out his throat. Then the bear comes, and eats the remains."

Rob leaned back. "The forest recovers. And soldiers like you and me... we rest easy."