I am examining a green sprig poking out from the ground. They are everywhere. But it’s not spring yet. The warm winter allowed the plants to grow early. All of us are preparing to leave, except Naira, she waited too long in her indecision and all of the Pika boys gave up and found other mates. She will remain at our burrow and hope next year will be better. These things on my mind, I sigh and turn away from the green sprout.
A strange black Pika is standing behind me; he has an insane lop-sided smile on his face.
“Death!â€? he cries, “Death is coming! See the green! It is death! Death for us all! Rising, rising! The heat is rising! We will pay the price for the two-leggers! They are to blame for everything, but we are the ones who will die!â€?
I run; his maniacal laughter follows me. I don’t know where I’m going but I’m running away.