The hot breeze from the desert blew gently through the trees, cooling as it passed from the brilliant sunshine into the leafy shadows. There was barely a sound throughout the verdant forest. Only a muffled voice seemed to break the peace, coming from within a giant Venus Mantrap! The large pod-like growth shuddered as something within struggled to get free...
Anya skin felt as if it were on fire as the plants digestive juices washed over her. She strained to push the leaves open again but the spines on the edges were interlocked tightly and her efforts proved in vain. She knew if she didnt get free in the next few seconds she would die and become nothing more than food for this monsterous vegetable.
Anya tried to push her hand down, down to grasp the hilt of her sword. If only she could kill this horrible thing...
'Yes!' she thought as she managed to grab it. Bracing it against her belly she stabbed downwards into the plants fleshy root. The Mantrap convulsed in shock from the blow. Again Anya stabbed, and again until the tough leaves loosened and then opened once more. She tumbled to the ground choking and gasping for air. Anays skin still burned and so she pulled herself to her feet and staggered back to the stream. She dropped bodily into the cool water, rolling over and over, washing the acid from he body.
After a few minutes Anya climbed from the water and sank down to sit beneath a nearby tree. Her skin was red as though she had a bad sunburn, but she was alive. Anya resolved to be more careful, freven in this garden of Eden there lurked danger. |