I Scream at The Top of my Lungs

I scream at the top of my lungs, overcome with annoyance. I lift a flipper, and shove my brother splash into the icy water. Serves him right. That greedy guy would do anything for the last silverfish. Actually, he would do anything for the last bit of anything, even if this meant jumping, slipping in front of a seal for a sliver of -ech- krill.

I watch the water where he fell ripple, as chunks of snow crumble into the sea behind him, little icebergs polka-dotting the canvas of black. I glare into the ocean, and squawk once more, knowing darn well that my brother most likely will not bob back up in the same spot. As much as I hate to admit it, there’s no denying that he is an exceptionally fast swimmer. Sure enough, I see a slick sable figure slide up on an icy patch of shore, the fish hanging limply out of his orange beak. 

I try to hold back another obnoxious squawk of rage, but I can’t help it, it’s in my nature. As the shrill notes escape my spiky tongue, I start to turn back toward the seemingly pulsating mass of black. The sun is already starting to set, and the Antarctic air only seems to be growing colder. As my orange feet pad through the glitter, I’m overcome with a disturbing scent. A noxious odour of fish, ammonia, and what can only be described as -shudder- penguin. I like to think of myself as a tough penguin, with unrufflable feathers and flippers of steel, but deep down I know that my stomach would beg to differ. 

I pivot yet again, but suddenly the world starts to fly and black and blue and miles and miles of white start to blend and thud. I’ve fallen.

Again.

Laziness fills my bones like anchors on a research vessel, and my eyes narrow. Once more, I am filled with nothing but annoyance. 

The icy ground beneath me rubs my belly, and hushes me to sleep. I momentarily close my eyes, letting the last dregs of amber sunlight coat my back, before snapping them back open.

The ground. 

Is moving.

In the blink of an eye, the ground starts moving faster, and before I know it, I start to feel like I’m getting tipped upside down. My shriek pierces the air as the black abyss comes hurtling towards me, faster and faster, and suddenly I’m flying, but penguins don’t fly, and the air is all around me but it cannot hold me up and 

Splash!

I am surrounded by cold. 

Eyes narrowed, flippers crossed, my head pokes through the ocean surface, my beak opens, and I scream.