Water Horsin' Around

As Bowen neared the oasis, the scent of blood was heavy on the air. It was a strange, sickly smelling blood as though something was either dead or dying. For a moment she thought about leaving, but her thirst proved to be too great. The desert was hot as balls, after all.

Padding towards the waters edge, Bowen soon saw the source of the sickly smell. At one end of the waters edge lay a big, greyish form. Swathes of red lacerations cut across the beasts back, looking as though it had fought for its life and barely won. Maybe it wouldn't win in the long run. Keeping her emerald eyes on the hippo, Bowen crept to the water and lowered her head to drink. The caw of a bird alerted the hippo to her presence and the shredded beast spun, still having enough mental capacity to fight for its safety.

The hippo rushed Bowen, spraying her with water before she was able to back away. The woman believed that, if she retreated, it would let her alone, but this wasn't the case. The hippo continued to run after her and Bo skittered away, her path curling around it so that she could bit into one thick, hind leg.

"Bowen"