He nodded, pleased that Eden had at least acknowledged the sentiment. He hadn't expected much more than acknowldgement if he had been honest. Yet, his body betrayed him in such a moment. Though his mind raced with subdued pride, he felt his skin prickle as his fur rose along his spine; something, though he did not know what it might be, was not quite right. The feeling had only intensified as the pale form of Underidge had emerged, appearing like a ghost beside Abel's own brother. It was his arrival that made him shiver, his brows furrowed and unsure as the male crept forward with his haunting words. Abel did not even have time to run or turn before he was set upon.

In an instant, he had moved to step back and yet, his ankle had bent awkwardly beneath him. He gasped both in pain and the realization that dawned upon him as Underidge dove in low to the ground. His next step back had been even more difficult, impossible even, as the pain flared and exploded up his leg, no longer isolated to his ankle. He felt teeth dig in deep and relentlessly, an unfathomable pain that shut his voice away and made his eyes widen, two great spheres of desperation as he tried to find somebody to help him. All he could find, however, was his brother. The sight of him made him want to scream in relief for a moment and yet, he too had surprised Abel. With several smooth steps, Abel had thought his brother might pull Underidge away but all he did was bring more pain.

As the second set of teeth tore through flesh and tendon, Abel finally cried out. More than pain, his voice broke with confusion. He called out for anybody and nobody at the same time, his cry silenced by the intrusive sound of bone splintering beneath the force of the two men. With that, he had been forced to collapse onto himself entirely, hitting the sand with a loud thud and a quivering exhale. Somewhere in the distance, he could see others watching. Why didn't they help him? Or were they? Was this helping him?

He did not even try to resist as he felt the pull, his brother seemingly desperate to drag him backwards. Abel twisted his head to watch, his vision blurred and filled with the crimson of his own blood as it oozed out across the sand and through his chocolate fur. It reeked, he thought, and he tried to pull his leg away for a moment - it was strange to be unable to do so. The muscles had been severed, too damaged, to even dream of moving; instead, it simply rippled with pain. His teeth bit down on one another. He remained silent and yet, he became accutely aware of the sound of the sand beneath him, the waves and the fire, the wetness of his own blood as teeth crunched and chewed into him. Just like a rabbit, something in his mind said.

He had no other choice but to close his eyes. He lay himself down, his head in the sand, as he tried his best to slip away. The pain was too great, too savage, and he thought it best that he simply sleep forever in those moments. He had only ever wanted to be strong and now, he had found out just how weak he could be.