Enraptured within the muck while restoring all my hidden unseens, I wait out the storm. I can still smell the lightning outside every time I raise my head up for air. It must be a big one if it’s lasting this long. At least the rains should put the fires out. Convenient that it cancels out my little accident.

  Speaking of which, what was that? I was reaching for words but ended up pulling something else out into the world instead. It was the same as within that dream, which I had almost forgotten in the confusion. Who were those two that did battle? They were me but not me. I was with them and within them. Is it some long forgotten memory dug out and gifted to me by chance from the mud?

  Deep in thought while floating face down, I throw that idea away with a shake of my head. That clearly wasn’t a mud dream. That’s obvious now that I’ve reconnected with it here. It was different. No smell, no grime, no safety. It was wild and dangerous. There was grave risk tangling amongst those two, even if one was my brother. Still, I did manage to steal a song from the big one. That does serve the mud, even if the setting didn’t stink of it. Also, I’ve seen none amongst my brothers creating any sparks and flames like that. They only fly enraged at their enemies with whatever abandoned pieces of nature or man that they find discarded on the ground along the way.

  Am I special? If mad muds exist, then maybe a few extraordinary muds exist as well. Smart muds? Better muds? Best muds, I think while laughing out more playful bubbles.

  Rolling onto my back, I stare at the rocky ceiling of the room. The walls here contain a few small tunnels leading further down below. It may be worth exploring deeper, but the mud room must remain my true home away from home as long as I’m stuck out here.

  So, if I’ve found temporary safety, then what’s next? The mind mud still demands revenge, but what would please it? How many of the big ones are there? Can I really take them on by myself? Will reinforcements eventually come or am I alone? Is it as simple as drawing red from every single one of them, or is there more to our objective? Must I find and destroy all their vile dungeon homes? Does big one mud exist that must also be destroyed to prevent more from forming?

  No, no, revenge is not so easy. More than anything else, I need information. I must observe more big ones without being observed back. I must steal more songs. Steal more treasures! All of this will make me stronger and better. Even if no more brothers come, I will eventually find victory with enough strength and secured access to local mud.

  That settles it. Finally smelling the last remnant of lightning having completely faded away, I draw myself up out of the pool. I crudely scrape the larger clumps left stuck to my body, returning it all to the large pile on the floor. Can’t have it weighing me down and impeding my movements on the hunt. Then after re-adorning all my stolen treasures, I venture back out of the cave.

  Night has fallen outside. The forest is surprisingly alive and loud with the exuberant survivors of the storm celebrating their continued existence. It’s dark enough now for my eyes to thrive. Not as well as inside the cave, but certainly better than the horrid bright, sunny day.

  I suppose this means I should only go out at night? However, something tells me the big ones won’t be out as much when it’s dark. Also, they’ll probably be more on guard? I don’t know why I would know that, but it sounds right to think it. Perhaps dawn and dusk are best for stalking? Otherwise, explore at night. Sleep during the day. Unless something specific alters the obvious schedule, of course.

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  I eloquently scamper down the hillside, quieting my precious jogging song as much as I’m able. None of the animals scurrying about around me seem to notice, which is a good sign. The friendly embrace of darkness also helps. It’s no mud, but it still feels closer to home than the light of day or flame. Safe, safe home. Must stay within it at all times!

  My mind shifts, disorienting my motion and sending me face first into the hard stone ground with a loud crack. The loud sound of the collision sends all the insects and animals scattering away. Quickly pushing myself back up on my arms, I search around for any threats that I may have accidentally called.

  Seemingly clear, I scramble back up to my feet and return to the quiet run, weaving in between as many trees as I can to hide myself from the sight of any potential pursuers.

  That was dangerous, I must be careful. No more mistakes!

  For the next few hours, I repeatedly circle the area around the cave entrance at widening distances, familiarizing myself with the surroundings. The river is of course precious, and I refill my water skin there. Its existence makes finding my way back to the cave extremely easy since it’s such a big landmark. If I get lost, all I need to do is climb high up and find the river. Then following it to get back to the temporary home is easy.

  There’s numerous types of wildlife living nearby, large and small. I don’t think this place has any meat spewing lights. Therefore, the creatures here should make for good sources of meat, if I can catch them. Assuming the larger creatures aren’t dangerous? No, I simply must be sneaky. It shouldn’t be a problem with all my metals.

  In the far reaches of my domain, I find a long trail of extremely trampled dirt ground cleared out of any trees or other plant life. Did the big ones do this? It certainly smells like their work, but they’re not here now.

  Interested in the presented puzzle and lacking any clear other tasks, I decide to treat it like the river and follow alongside it in the shadows of the trees. I won’t go too far, but I must know what it might bring near my resting place.

  Providence soon delivers as I hear muffled sounds and see light up ahead. Dark, starless night that it is, sneaking closer is easy. Drawing near, I lay down the big skin on my back to avoid the jangling of any unintentional noises. I also check that everything hanging from my waist is far enough apart so as to not easily knock together. Ready, I slowly snake forward, staying close to the ground and in the shadow of a big tree near all the noise.

  Keeping my back to the tree, I don’t dare peek around until I know more. It smells like a big one. Also, this crackling sound and twinkling light. Is it fire? Is it some of mine? Or did the big ones create it?

  “Ow!” a voice suddenly exclaims out from the other side of the tree. “It’s such a damn pain to start a fire. My hands and back are killing me!”

  That is certainly the clear voice of a big one. Who’s he talking to?

  “I’m not supposed to be doing this! I’ve barely learned anything since I got here. This was supposed to be Paulson’s job. Stupid forest fire! ‘We have to do something! You go home and warn the others!’ Annoying! Then sheltering from that damned freak storm slowed me down! Have to camp out in the stupid woods instead of making it back to the village before nightfall. What an awful day!”

  As the poor man’s cathartic, ranting lecture continues, I begin to smile. He’s alone! He’s alone, tired, and weak. It’s perfect.