spino series pt 11

Slid down from the high clay lip into the shadow below. Under the rim sat a shallow plastic drainage saucer, pooled with dark, murky runoff. Damp scent sharp in the air. I lunged forward, plunging my front snout straight into the shallow black water. Splash. Cool drops sprayed my flank. Beneath the surface lay smooth river pebbles. I lowered my heavy snout, rammed the row of stones, and shoved three gray pebbles across the slick plastic base with a scraping clatter. Ground cleared. I planted both hind claws into the wet basin, letting my throat vibrate in a deep, clicking drone.