The Splooge is a liquid that evolved all known beings on Earth, but a huge amount of it would kill Billy, especially since she was born frail.

  “The one thing that could cure my daughter is Adarna Flower’s nectar. Only found in Baguio…” said Beatle, carrying her in his arms, walking up the Palispis Highway.

  “Dad… What is this place?” she gasped.

  “My hometown… I grew up there. It was once known as Baguio. A beautiful city of pines. Now it’s just an old gigantic dystopian cyberpunk bullshit city with its corrupt King. Fucking Death Leopard.”

  “Who?”

  “Exactly. The bastard took my palace. The palace stretches from Aurora Hill, Rimando Road, all the way to Brookside and Honeymon Road. The University was beautiful… I once went to school there.” Beatle spoke while the blizzard hammered into both their bodies.

  Beatle sees an old gas station and enters the facility, only seeing Splooge wells instead of oil deposits. The station is completely barren of any sentient life, only showing various bugs and decaying meat nearby.

  Beatle senses danger. “Let’s move.”

  But at that second, the blizzard struck a massive screech into both their ears.

  “Can’t you just heal her now?”

  “The world lacks too much faith. Thus, my hands are tied. I apologize, my Child.”

  Beatle roars out loud and throws a rock that causes a massive avalanche in the distance, causing wild dogs and Dire Wolves to howl in the distance.

  “Sorry!” yelled Beatle into the distance. “I sense no creature was hurt. At least the vertebrates. Oof.”

  Beatle sighs and walks into the cabin beside the massive Splooge Station. He entered to keep her warm, even starting a fire in the furnace. The cabin was empty, the shelves, and even the closets. There was no bed, so Beatle had to gather their supplies that they brought from the convenience store across the road back to the cabin.

  That evening, he prays the Nicene Creed, then the Lord’s Prayer, three Hail Marys, and the Oh My Jesus, before Billy falls asleep still shivering in the cold.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Beatle placed her head on his lap and played with her hair, allowing her to sleep.

  Beatle stayed up all night, using his laptop and typing silently while rocking back and forth. She enjoyed dreaming blissfully.

  Suddenly, a group of massive creatures, the size of 8 feet tall, female Ligers, hunt for the Pride. Sniffing for new flesh to feast.

  Interestingly, the weakened Beatle is the perfect meal along with his sickened daughter.

  The Ligers smell their scent in the cabin and begin purring.

  Beatle, who types silently on his laptop, senses and immediately turns to the window. He peeks outside through the dusty old curtain.

  His lenses whirred as his eyes lay upon the glowing eyes of the Ligers. Beatle scoffs and closes the curtains.

  Suddenly, the creatures banged on the door, roaring and growling as Beatle sighs and opens the door, locking Billty inside.

  “Dad!?” asked Billy.

  “Stay inside!” he boomed.

  Beatle turns to the Ligers.

  Beatle boomed. “STOP!!!”

  Whatever he was attempting, it didn’t work. The Ligers charged. Beatle slaps one away, but the second pounces and mauls his foot, dragging him away. Beatle takes out his eskrima sticks and knocks the animal away. The third Liger roared and began gnawing on his arm as Beatle grunted and threw him into the distance.

  Beatle tried again. “STOP!!!”

  The Ligers continued to maul him as Beatle fired warning shots into the ground as they backed away.

  Beatle’s eyes glowed. “STOP!!!” He boomed, and the individual temporal substances around the Ligers froze them mid-pounce.

  Beatle angrily fumed, turning to the giant cats. Beatle’s eyes glowed, and the very fabric of their own Souls shuddered in fear upon hearing Beatle’s words. “LEAVE!!! There is a zebra herd near the riverbed. LEAVE MY DAUGHTER BE!!!”

  The Ligers moved and ran, never to return to them both.

  “I always wondered why each race of animal thinks they are the pinnacle of others. Why must the death of men mean better than that of a bug?” asked the voice in his head.

  “Because each species of animal is majorly egocentric. Even men… That’s why wars happen… Senseless kill. Murder. Sin. Yet that is also why we must remain being that thin line you mention between authoritarianism and anarchy. Be a beacon of hope for all living things. What makes Humans oh so much worse is that we can decide to do something that is clearly wrong and senseless… Much like Chimps or Dolphins or even Mammoths. But Humans are far too advanced. It’s a shame I was born as one, but I am needed by my kind, so I am here.”

  “My dear child, whose machine was operated by the coins of men and women, used during his humble childhood and feared when he was revealed to be a god… My Son… My Son… Never forsake me.”

  “I never will…” said Beatle, as he returned into the cabin.