HYENA MAYHEM
ALM No.95, November 2026
SHORT STORIES
The desert heat beamed down on Sage. Her eyes locked with a patch of grass, and a large pond.
Sage said, “I really hope this isn’t another mirage.”
She hobbled by the pound and promptly began guzzling down water.
“Yo oh, it’s Mister Meister here to tell you to stop!” the young man said.
Sage looked at him with a deep scowl on her face. “Look I just need a little water”
Meister said, “Yo ho, the chief says no bumbling towards the pond to start guzzling.”
Sage rolls her eyes at the boy's antics, “Whatever, can you take me to your chief?”
Meister thinks for a moment, “No Oh I can’t, But... If you follow me to the Muted Hallow. I’ll help you to the undisputed.”
Sage spoke, “Ugh, I don’t want to go with you anywhere. But fine I guess.”
They both took off to Muted Hallow, and as they entered, the cave rumbled loudly.
Meister said, “Run!”
They both took off further into the cave, as rocks came down overhead.
Sage screamed, “Why did I follow you here!” She started digging in the rocks to find a way out.
Meister rapped, “Why so blue, oh new baby boo? Turn that frown upside down and come with me downtown.”
“Could you stop!” Sage screeched at Meister.
“Oh, come on. It’s not like there’s anything better to do,” Meister said. Wow, what a prude. She really can’t take a joke, huh.
Sage kept digging into the mountain of rocks in front of her. Ugh, why’d I have to get stuck in this cave with this idiot. All he does is mess around, and rap.
Meister rapped, “It’s M to the I. What's that spell? Uh uh, yeah. Its S to the T. What’s that spell? Uh uh, yeah. It’s E to the R. What’s that spell? Uh uh, yeah. I said what’s that spell,
Meister. Yeah, yeah. I said Meister, yeah. Oh Wait... Mister Meister, yeah, yeah”
Sage spoke, “Oh my gods, shut up! You could be doing anything else than making a stupid rap. I don’t know... like finding a way out!”
Meister smiled cockily. “I already did. Look over there, and let's go downtown.”
Sage turned her head and stared at a hole in the wall. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner! Whatever. It’s going to be a struggle to fit.”
Both Sage and Meister crawled through the hole, the cold slowly building.
Meister spoke, “Wow, it sure is cold here. Oh! Look there’s the exit.”
Sage and Meister stood to their feet, a strange smell hitting their noses.
Sage said, “Ew, what’s that smell?”
Meister rapped, “Flesh and bones go up my nose. But sticks and stones won’t break my bones.”
Sage glared at Meister. “Gods, you're so annoying.”
Cautiously, they walked through the cave, the smell only increasing as they moved. A deep growl echoed through the large expanse. The cave shook.
Meister said, “What was that! Woah!”
Sage said, “No wonder this place smelled bad. I hope you can do more than just rap!”
A massive hyena stood in front of the pair. It bared its teeth at them, puddles of drool falling to the floor. Sage readied herself, a thick black smoke emanating from her body. She shaped it into a spear and charged forward.
Meister gulped loudly. “The fear in me is clear in me. But dear, I won’t adhere to my fear.” He took out his bow and loaded an arrow.
Sage said, “You're still rapping!”
Meister shot an arrow from his bow, laced with poison. However, the Hyena was faster than Meister’s shot. The creature dodged to the side. Sage quickly read the move and caught the beast in the action. She skidded under the monster and slashed at its tendons. The creature yelped in pain. Sage said, “Now’s your chance! I slowed it down for you.” With her guard down, she overlooked the creature’s teeth bounding towards her.
“Watch out!” Meister yelled.
Sage jumped back, but the monster's teeth still grazed her arm. “Gah!” Sage screeched. A deep gash seared into her arm, blood oozing from it.
“Take this!” Meister said, shooting his bow. The arrow landed in the monster's eye. The poison seeped into its body.
Sage took this opportunity, gritting her teeth through the pain. She jumped in the air, her spear in one hand. Striking down, she yelled, “Just die already!”
Her spear pierced the monster's head. It shook violently to get Sage off. But she relented, screaming as an explosion of black fog covered the monster. It ate away at its body, blood gushing to the floor. The Hyena’s body withered, and Sage hit the floor.
Meister ran over to her. “Are you all, right?”
“Yeah... You're not that bad... you know,” she said, passing out from exhaustion.
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