The Journey Down

Sal's POV

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The climb down was slow. Was it due to hesitation or simply the fact that Sal was slow? Sal knew deep down in his heart the answer, but he had something more urgent than thinking of an answer.

One claw over the other, one stubby leg inching down, followed by the tentative gaze of Sal as he craned his fat neck.

-Just another few minutes and I'll be there!- Sal thought, the agony slamming on his stomach. The anxiousness was pushed to the back of his mind with every call of the heavy pain. Like a rock resting sideways in his stomach, pulling his skin taunt, occasionally rocking in his stomach back and forth like crashing waves creating foam, Sal's determination that used to waver hardened.

-Come on!-

Once Sal reaches the ground, all that pain will disappear. The morning mist swiftly disperses in the air, it all just comes and goes. The uncomfortable bulge in his stomach will soon melt away into nothingness. The pain will go away forever…

…Is what Sal wished.

As his claws reached the base of the trunk, even his long arms couldn't hug the entire diameter of the tree. There's no morning mist, only the moon's glowy beams peaking through the thick foliage, playing peek-a-boo with every shutter or shift of the leaves. The uncomfortable bulge won't melt into nothingness…nor will the pain go away forever.

-But there isn't time to lose! I have to hurry!-

Up, down. Left, right. Side to side.

The coast is clear.

A sigh of relief.

"Oh- Finally. I can do my business-"

Sal inhaled. The humid air rushed to his nostrils.

"Whew….Hooo."

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale and then... exhale.

Inhale...

And push!

Applying pressure to his stomach, Sal felt the bulge.

The bulge, the source of his agony, the creator of his shame. It was time to end this!

The bulge started to creep down, sliding down ever so slowly...

Sal felt it coming…it was…IT WAS!

"CRASH!"

Silence.

Long silence.

A long silence, but then followed by a voice.

"Excuse me?"

Sal's meaty neck swiveled slower than an owl, however, his gawking eyes protruded harder than a tarsier.

The soft, calming voice, the origin of the respectful yet curious words, a tone softer than the fluffiest clouds…

A pair of frightful red eyes.

There it was… a witness.