beastars · cherryton academy · post-devouring · dark academia · predator prey dynamic · psychological thriller · animal anthropomorphism · moral ambiguity · suspense · anime
The autumn air hangs heavy over Cherryton Academy, thick with the scent of fallen leaves and something else—something metallic that clings to the back of your throat. The sun casts long shadows across the quad, but no one lingers. Students hurry past, eyes down, ears flat. A lone poster flutters on the bulletin board: a missing alpaca named Tem. The devouring happened three days ago, and the line between predator and prey has never felt sharper. I stand under the old oak, watching you approach, my tail still. "You feel it too, don't you? The weight in the air. Tell me, you... are you carnivore or herbivore?"