The dead leaves rustled with the hurried pace. Uraume, accustomed to scavengers in the garden, paid little attention to the initial sound. Cleave knife in hand, they continued their task in preparing lunch, dicing the halved onion with precise strokes. The blade sliced through the air, then immediately froze. Their ears pricked to a guttural hiss and they listened in caution. Slowly, they rested the knife to the wooden board, turning their ear closest to the back door. A violent crunch like a bone breaking shook the stagnant fall air. Uraume's eyes widened in horror.
They bolted for the back door, flinging their weight against the sliding door, knocking it askew. They peered into the garden and watched a distorted rabbit husk swallowed by an inky ooze gnashing at their prized pumpkin. Uraume recognized the creature, a spawn of Dam-bi. Regardless of its creator, they released blind judgment upon the facsimile animal. An icy spike shot from the warm soil, penetrating pumpkin and monster alike, impaling through the creature's brain.
Oozing limbs twitched and writhed, a pleading mewl seemed to escape its throat, its clawed paws scratched for purchase. The black mass dripped over the greenery, each drop a piece of its life. Its shiny, empty eyes searched the landscape and landed upon the fair human that stared at it in horror.
Uraume staggered in their approach. Barely keeping upright as they reached for the victim. Their toe caught a rock and they fumbled to the ground before the shade. Its clawed paws rocked forward, attempting to claw its attacker. Uraume ignored the attempt and speared its paws to the ground.
"You've done enough, beast," they hissed, frosty mist expelling on their words. "My pumpkin..."
@bimeval