Hateful Creatures

This weekend began as a lovely excursion to the small countryside city of Rong Chang. Population: 850,000.

What a motley crew

It was a lovely day with blue skies and clouds; puffy clouds have become rare gems in my recent life. Valuable little puffs of hope, floating across the sky.

They do exist!

We rode to a nearby ancient village and explored the town and hung out at the river.

Most times, ancient towns are very touristy.
This one looked real. Lived-in. Cozy.

The river was clean and beautiful.

We stayed by the river, pulled out some cards, and relaxed here for most of the afternoon.

We then made our way back for Adam's birthday celebration.

That's when they emerged. I don't know where they came from, but they came when I least expected them. I encountered them last summer; I have no excuse for being so forgetful. Sometimes I block terrible memories out of my mind. Maybe that's why I was so unsuspecting.

These beasts attacked while I was sleeping.

And they seem to have an ankle fetish.