Ebony's POV:

I ran through the forest, rain washing my jet-black scales. Feather ran at my side. We needed to get out of the forest, fearing that it might get caught on fire. Despite the fact that this forest was dense with leaves, I could still feel rain dripping on me. 

Feather glanced up as loud thunder rumbled overhead, making the ground shake. He glanced at me, worry showing in his eyes. "What if lightning strikes the trees and there's fire? How will we get out?" 

"Don't worry, that won't happen," I assured, although I knew that it was possible to happen. I then slowed down my running, wanting to calm down.

"Why'd you slow down?" Feather asked, keeping pace with me. His feathers were wet and soaked with rain.

"I'm thinking," I mumbled, slowing down even more. I turned sideways, scenting something through the heavy smell of rain and pine. "I smell a raptor," I hissed.

Feather growled, looking up and staring through the trees. "Do you think it might be hostile?" He asked.

"I'm not sure yet," I growled. I began to walk closer to where I could smell the raptor. The undergrowth was getting denser. There were big rocks lined with moss and lichen, and a fallen tree was blocking the path. Fungi was growing on the rotten tree, and the sandy-color of the tree's inside was exposed. I carefully climbed over the tree and jumped down, the wet grass tickling my legs. Flowers were littered here and there.

The raptor scent was getting closer and stronger. Peering through the weak light, I could see a small wooden house that was shaded by trees. Branches were slumping down, leaning on the roof of the house. Walking closer, I could see that the windows were broken, and the wood was rotting. Vines were growing on the house and leaves from the tree branches shielded the house from rain. The raptor scent was coming from that house.

 I stopped in my tracks, forgetting about the storm. I moved my tail in front of Feather, warning him to stay back. "I'll check, stay back," I whispered. I crept forward silently, he my eyes locking onto the wooden home. I stepped to the front, seeing the door, which was rotting and hanging off of its hinges. I slid into the house, peering through the darkness. I could see a hall leading to a room. Furniture was close by, the fabric ripped and coated in dirt.

I was then fully in the house, and I looked around. Where was the raptor? The heavy pounding of rain drowned out all sound, so I kept looking around. I padded down the dark hall, smelling the raptor even more. As I reached the end of the hall, I turned towards the room and walked in. The window in this room was cracked, the blinds broken and torn. The wallpaper was ripped and the pictures that hung on the wall were cracked and hanging on by a thread. 

A couch was sitting in the corner of the room. I narrowed my eyes, stalking forward. The scent of rotting wood was now covering the smell of the raptor. Thunder suddenly rumbled overhead, making me jump. As I stood still with my heart pounding, a gray blurr flashed out of the corner of my eye.

I gasped as claws dug into my side. I could feel blood welling on the wounds already. I tumbled, flailing my claws at my attacker. Growling, I noticed a gray raptor on top of me, his claws digging in. I shoved him off easily, my claws slashing his muzzle and drawing blood. I leaped on the raptor, pinning him down, my claws digging into his head.

"What are you doing in here? Get out, I was in here first!" The gray raptor growled, his eyes blazing.

I curled my lip. "I could smell a raptor in here. What are you doing in here?" I asked, lashing my tail. 

"This is my home! I've been living in here with my owner, but he eventually died, and now the house is in ruins," the gray raptor responded. "I promised myself I'd never leave this house. I hoped I'd die with him. Go ahead and kill me if you want," he spat.

I got off the raptor, my eyes narrowed. "Well my bad, I didn't know you actually lived here," I mumbled, my tail drooping. "What is a home doing all the way out in the woods anyways?"

The raptor got up, dusting himself off. "Don't ask me," he huffed. "What creature even are you?" He growled, lashing his tail.  

"I'm an Indoraptor, a hybrid," I responded. "My name is Ebony, by the way," I stated.

The raptor glanced at me. "I'm Thistle," he greeted. Blood from the scratches on his snout dripped down his face. "I'm sorry I attacked you. You seem a bit nice for such a big, scary-looking dinosaur," he joked.

I dipped my head. "I apologize that I entered your home," I mumbled, my claws clicking on the wood. "I hope you don't mind, but me and my friend were looking for some shelter from the rain. Could we stay here until it stops?" I asked.

Thistle looked away, looking as though he was thinking about it. He didn't answer, so I assumed he meant no. "It's fine if you want us to go," I murmured, hanging my head.

"No-no wait," Thistle whimpered. "I've been pretty lonely here, all by myself. You can stay for the night," he offered, looking at me with troubled eyes.

"Thank you," I clicked, dipping my head. I poked my head out of the room, staring down the dark hall and through the living room. I could see Feather outside, sitting by the door. "Feather, come, we can stay inside!" I called.