The spike boar thundered across the plains, snorting and kicking up dust like a storm of hooves and rage. David, panicking, flailed with "Sticky" clenched in his teeth as he scrambled on all fours toward the beast. His heart pounded so hard he swore it might jump out of his chest.
With a desperate yell muffled by his stick, "MMRRGHHH!" David launched himself forward, gripping Sticky in both hands. He jabbed furiously at the boar's eye.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Bad! Bad! Bad boar!" David screamed between each swing, Sticky bouncing off the creature's thick hide like he was scolding a misbehaving dog.
The boar roared in fury, its massive body curling into a ball of spikes. David's eyes widened in horror. "Uh-oh."
The beast tucked in tight and rolled, slamming into the ground with such force that the earth trembled. David was launched into the air like a rag doll, his arms flapping as he fell back down—right under the beast's path. He hit the dirt flat on his back, the weight of the rolling boar nearly crushing him into paste.
"OW! That boar is CRAZY!" David wheezed, peeling himself off the dirt like a crumpled pancake. He stumbled upright, clutching Sticky. "Man… this thing is strong…"
The spike boar rolled back, its eyes glowing with animal rage as it turned on him again. David froze, legs trembling. "A-Ah shit…"
Then it charged.
David bolted, legs flailing in every direction. "HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP MEEEEEEE!" His scream echoed across the plains, his run devolving into wild bunny-like hops. Each desperate leap bought him only inches before the rolling beast gained on him.
Glancing back, David saw nothing but spikes and fury closing in. His throat went dry. "W-Well… this is it… goodbye, cruel world!"
Suddenly, a metallic rope wrapped around his ankle, yanking him off his feet. "W-WHOA!" David cried, just as the boar smashed into the spot where he had been standing a heartbeat before.
He faceplanted into the dirt with a muffled THUD. Groaning, he lifted his head. "Ugh… who the hell—"
He looked up. Standing there, rope in hand, was Daryl. His face was smeared with sticky slime, his hair ruffled, his expression stormy.
David gasped. "Oh, Daryl! You saved me?"
Daryl narrowed his eyes. "Don't take it as me liking you. Stand back—I'll kill this beast myself." He ripped his saber free from its sheath with a crisp shing!
David scrambled up, brushing dirt off himself, and raised Sticky like a sword. "No, Daryl! I'll fight that boar too!"
Daryl's jaw tightened. "You failed horribly. You don't know how to fight, and Sticky isn't enough to damage anything. You'll just get in my way."
David puffed his chest, gripping his weapon like it was Excalibur. "Yeh, but—"
"LOOK OUT!" Daryl barked.
The boar thundered toward them again, rolling like a death wheel of spikes. Both men dove aside, dirt flying as the beast roared past.
They tumbled back to their feet in perfect unison, panting, weapons raised.
David turned to him, eyes wild but determined. "Look—you either fight this thing alone and get mauled, or we work together and take it down. Your choice."
Daryl blinked, caught off guard by David's sudden seriousness. His grip tightened on his saber. "…And since when have you ever tried working together?"
David smirked through the dirt on his face. "Since now."
The boar skidded, coming out of its rolling state. Its muscles tensed, its body trembling as it charged up again, eyes locked on the two of them. The air grew thick with the sound of its snorts and stomps.
Daryl sighed heavily, lowering his head for a moment. "…Fine. We'll do it your way. But if you die, don't you dare haunt me."
David grinned. "I should say the same for you."
The boar roared and dug its hooves into the dirt, preparing for another devastating charge.
Both boys braced themselves.
The spike boar thundered forward, tearing up grass and dirt with every step, its horn gleaming like a spear of death.
Daryl gripped his saber tighter. "Follow my lead."
David squinted. "Wait, what does that mean—"
Before he could finish, Daryl planted a boot squarely against David's backside and kicked with all his might.
"W-WHOA—HEY, JACKASS!" David screamed as he went flying, limbs flailing.
"Eyes forward, idiot!" Daryl barked, pointing.
David spun midair, eyes widening as he realized he was soaring straight toward the spike boar's face. For a moment his panic turned into something else—his lips curled into a devilish grin. "Ohhh… I get it now."
With a manic laugh, David raised Sticky high and brought it down with every ounce of force he had. SMACK! Right into the same damaged eye he'd struck before. The boar shrieked, its head snapping back.
At the same time, Daryl slid low beneath the beast's massive frame, sparks flying as his saber slashed across its right foreleg. Blood sprayed as the creature stumbled, bellowing in pain.
David landed on the boar's back, wobbling as the spikes jutted dangerously around him. "Ha! Who's the bad boar now?!" He ran along its spine like it was a balance beam, then leapt off in perfect sync with Daryl.
They both hit the ground hard, rolling before popping up side by side. Dust and blood hung in the air, the wounded boar staggering as it tried to recover.
David's grin was wild, his eyes practically glowing with reckless joy. "Hah! Did you see that?! I flew like a damn hero!"
Daryl smirked darkly, wiping blood off his blade. "You mean you flew like an idiot. Lucky idiots get kills too, I guess."
The two of them turned back toward the spike boar. For the first time since their chaotic partnership began, they both wore the same expression—matching, dangerous grins.
Not of prey.
But of predators.
Side by side, they looked like monsters ready to hunt.