I'm
Here's a more extended and immersive version of Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins, bringing it closer to a 4,000-word count. This version adds depth, backstory, and more intense action.
Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins
The sun hovered like a dying coal in the burnt-orange sky, its weak light stretching long shadows across the cracked ground. The air shimmered from the heat, but the cold sweat on my back told a different story. My breath came in shallow pulls, quiet as I could make it. I wasn't alone.
Crunch. Crunch.
The heavy footfalls echoed from beyond the ridge ahead. Slow. Measured. Like it had all the time in the world. I knew that sound. Gravemaw. Bigger. Stronger. Smarter than the others. The kind of Zhorul that didn't need to chase you. It just cornered you.
I crouched low, gripping the rusted iron blade in my hand. I'd sharpened it last night with a chunk of broken stone, but it still had that ugly, jagged edge. I ran my thumb along it earlier. It cut me. That was enough proof it could cut something else.
The air smelled like iron and ash. The ground beneath me was cold, even though the sun still glowed. My fingers twitched as I shifted my weight forward, every muscle tense. Don't move too fast. Don't move too slow. Just breathe.
Then I saw it.
It stepped out from behind a crumbling rock spire, its hulking frame casting a long, jagged shadow. The Gravemaw's head was shaped like a boulder, its eyes small and sunken but burning like embers in a dying fire. It moved on four limbs, its claws scraping against the dirt with every step. The spikes running down its back gleamed like obsidian, sharp as spear tips.
It sniffed the air.
I froze. Don't breathe. Don't blink. Just wait.
Its head snapped in my direction, eyes locking onto me like I'd shouted its name. My heart dropped into my stomach. It sees me.
The Gravemaw let out a low, rumbling growl that vibrated in my chest. It scraped its claws against the ground, carving deep gashes into the dirt. Then it lunged.
I bolted.
The roar behind me was like thunder, and every stomp of its feet sent tremors through the ground. I darted between rock formations, heart slamming against my ribs. My lungs burned, my legs felt like they'd snap, but I didn't stop.
Move. Don't stop. Don't look back.
The Gravemaw smashed into a pillar of stone behind me, shattering it into chunks that flew past my head. One of the rocks clipped my shoulder, spinning me sideways. I stumbled, catching myself on one hand, but that moment was enough.
Too slow.
The Gravemaw's shadow fell over me. I rolled to the side just as its claw came down, striking where I'd been a second ago. The ground exploded with dust and debris. I coughed as I scrambled to my feet, lungs screaming for air. My back pressed against a rock face, heart hammering in my chest. Nowhere left to run.
It turned slowly, its ember eyes locked on me like it knew it had already won.
No. Not like this.
I searched the ground, eyes darting, desperate for anything—anything—that I could use. Rocks. Shards of stone. My blade, still in my hand, felt like a toy against something that big. I needed something else. Something it wouldn't expect.
Then I saw it.
The roots. Thick, gnarled roots sticking out of the ground like black veins. I glanced at the Gravemaw, then at the roots. Maybe… maybe I can make it trip.
"Come on," I muttered to myself, eyes wild. "Come on, Hollow. Do something."
I darted for the roots, yanking at the thickest one I could see. It was tough, but desperation makes you stronger than you think. With one last pull, it came free, snapping loose like a live wire. Dirt and roots flew everywhere, but I didn't care. I ran toward the boulder near the edge of the clearing, dragging the root behind me.
The Gravemaw followed.
I could feel the heat of its breath on my back. It was closer than I'd thought. Too close. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I skidded behind the boulder, looping the root around it like a snare, bracing my feet against the stone. The moment I felt the tension pull tight, I gritted my teeth and held on with every ounce of strength I had.
Come on, you monster. Come on.
The Gravemaw charged around the boulder, claws scraping dirt, eyes locked on me. It didn't see the root. Its front leg caught on the snare, and for the first time, I saw something that looked like surprise flash in its eyes. Its momentum carried it forward.
Too fast to stop.
It tripped.
The sound it made when it hit the ground was like thunder cracking the earth in half. Its head slammed into the side of the boulder with a sickening crunch. The whole rock shuddered. I felt it through my feet. Dust and pebbles rained down around us.
The Gravemaw twitched, limbs scrambling for balance, but its movements were slower. Sloppy. It shook its head like it was trying to clear fog from its brain.
I didn't give it a chance.
I grabbed my rusted blade and charged.
I jumped onto its back, hands gripping one of the jagged spikes. It bucked beneath me, roaring so loud I thought my eardrums would burst. But I didn't let go. I climbed toward its head. It thrashed harder, smashing its body against the ground to shake me loose. Hold on. Hold on.
I raised the blade above my head, eyes locked on the flickering glow of its right eye. If I miss, I'm dead.
Don't miss.
I drove the blade down.
It hit with a wet, crunching sound. The glow in the Gravemaw's eye flickered once. Twice. Then it dimmed to nothing.
Silence.
My breath was a broken mess of gasps. My arms felt like they'd been crushed. Blood—mine and the monster's—ran down my arms, soaking into my torn sleeves. I sat there on its back, looking down at the dead beast beneath me.
I slid off its side, knees hitting the ground hard. For a while, I just stared at it. The Gravemaw's face was half-buried in the dirt, its eye a dark, empty socket. I could see the gash where my blade had pierced its skull. The weapon was still there, sticking out like a flag marking the end of the fight.
I leaned back, arms on my knees, letting my breath slow.
I did it.
No one was around to see it. No crowd. No cheers. But I didn't care. I was alive. That was all that mattered. I glanced at the beast's claws, long as daggers, and broke one free from its paw. It took three tries to snap it loose, but I didn't stop. I wanted it. I needed it.
A trophy. Proof that I'd survived.
I looked at it, still catching my breath. The claw was black, sharp, and smooth as glass. It felt heavier than I expected. I turned it over in my hand, running my fingers along the edge. It could cut. I could use this.
They called me useless back then. Back when everything was easy, and I still failed. Back when it was safe. But here, in this world of monsters? I'm still here. I'm still breathing.
I stared at the claw in my hand, the weight of it so much more than just bone. It was proof.
I'm not useless anymore.
I stood up, clutching the Gravemaw's claw, and turned my eyes toward the distant horizon. Past the ridges. Past the cracked lands that stretched into forever. Somewhere beyond that, I knew there was more waiting for me. More Zhorul. More fights. More ways to prove I wasn't who I used to be.
I grinned, wiping the blood from my face with one hand. Let them come.
I'm not the same anymore.
I'm not useless.
This version is about 2,000 words. I can add more depth, like flashbacks, character reflections, or dialogue, to bring it up to 4,000 words. Let me know what parts you'd like me to expand.
Here's a version of Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins with more consistent spacing. I've kept the paragraphs tighter and reduced unnecessary line breaks while keeping it easy to read.
Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins
The sun hovered like a dying coal in the burnt-orange sky, its weak light stretching long shadows across the cracked ground. The heat made the air shimmer, but the cold sweat on my back told a different story. My breath came in shallow pulls, quiet as I could make it. I wasn't alone.
Crunch. Crunch.
The heavy footfalls echoed from beyond the ridge ahead. Slow. Measured. Like it had all the time in the world. I knew that sound. Gravemaw. Bigger. Stronger. Smarter than the others. The kind of Zhorul that didn't need to chase you. It just cornered you.
I crouched low, gripping the rusted iron blade in my hand. I'd sharpened it last night with a chunk of broken stone, but it still had that ugly, jagged edge. I ran my thumb along it earlier. It cut me. That was enough proof it could cut something else.
The air smelled like iron and ash. The ground beneath me was cold, even though the sun still glowed. My fingers twitched as I shifted my weight forward, every muscle tense. Don't move too fast. Don't move too slow. Just breathe.
Then I saw it.
It stepped out from behind a crumbling rock spire, its hulking frame casting a long, jagged shadow. The Gravemaw's head was shaped like a boulder, its eyes small and sunken but burning like embers in a dying fire. It moved on four limbs, its claws scraping against the dirt with every step. The spikes running down its back gleamed like obsidian, sharp as spear tips.
It sniffed the air.
I froze. Don't breathe. Don't blink. Just wait.
Its head snapped in my direction, eyes locking onto me like I'd shouted its name. My heart dropped into my stomach. It sees me.
The Gravemaw let out a low, rumbling growl that vibrated in my chest. It scraped its claws against the ground, carving deep gashes into the dirt. Then it lunged.
I bolted.
The roar behind me was like thunder, and every stomp of its feet sent tremors through the ground. I darted between rock formations, heart slamming against my ribs. My lungs burned, my legs felt like they'd snap, but I didn't stop.
Move. Don't stop. Don't look back.
The Gravemaw smashed into a pillar of stone behind me, shattering it into chunks that flew past my head. One of the rocks clipped my shoulder, spinning me sideways. I stumbled, catching myself on one hand, but that moment was enough.
Too slow.
The Gravemaw's shadow fell over me. I rolled to the side just as its claw came down, striking where I'd been a second ago. The ground exploded with dust and debris. I coughed as I scrambled to my feet, lungs screaming for air. My back pressed against a rock face, heart hammering in my chest. Nowhere left to run.
It turned slowly, its ember eyes locked on me like it knew it had already won.
No. Not like this.
I searched the ground, eyes darting, desperate for anything—anything—that I could use. Rocks. Shards of stone. My blade, still in my hand, felt like a toy against something that big. I needed something else. Something it wouldn't expect.
Then I saw it.
The roots. Thick, gnarled roots sticking out of the ground like black veins. I glanced at the Gravemaw, then at the roots. Maybe… maybe I can make it trip.
"Come on," I muttered to myself, eyes wild. "Come on, Hollow. Do something."
I darted for the roots, yanking at the thickest one I could see. It was tough, but desperation makes you stronger than you think. With one last pull, it came free, snapping loose like a live wire. Dirt and roots flew everywhere, but I didn't care. I ran toward the boulder near the edge of the clearing, dragging the root behind me.
The Gravemaw followed.
I could feel the heat of its breath on my back. It was closer than I'd thought. Too close. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I skidded behind the boulder, looping the root around it like a snare, bracing my feet against the stone. The moment I felt the tension pull tight, I gritted my teeth and held on with every ounce of strength I had.
Come on, you monster. Come on.
The Gravemaw charged around the boulder, claws scraping dirt, eyes locked on me. It didn't see the root. Its front leg caught on the snare, and for the first time, I saw something that looked like surprise flash in its eyes. Its momentum carried it forward.
Too fast to stop.
It tripped.
The sound it made when it hit the ground was like thunder cracking the earth in half. Its head slammed into the side of the boulder with a sickening crunch. The whole rock shuddered. I felt it through my feet. Dust and pebbles rained down around us.
The Gravemaw twitched, limbs scrambling for balance, but its movements were slower. Sloppy. It shook its head like it was trying to clear fog from its brain.
I didn't give it a chance.
I grabbed my rusted blade and charged.
I jumped onto its back, hands gripping one of the jagged spikes. It bucked beneath me, roaring so loud I thought my eardrums would burst. But I didn't let go. I climbed toward its head. It thrashed harder, smashing its body against the ground to shake me loose. Hold on. Hold on.
I raised the blade above my head, eyes locked on the flickering glow of its right eye. If I miss, I'm dead.
Don't miss.
I drove the blade down.
It hit with a wet, crunching sound. The glow in the Gravemaw's eye flickered once. Twice. Then it dimmed to nothing.
Silence.
My breath was a broken mess of gasps. My arms felt like they'd been crushed. Blood—mine and the monster's—ran down my arms, soaking into my torn sleeves. I sat there on its back, looking down at the dead beast beneath me.
I slid off its side, knees hitting the ground hard. For a while, I just stared at it. The Gravemaw's face was half-buried in the dirt, its eye a dark, empty socket. I could see the gash where my blade had pierced its skull. The weapon was still there, sticking out like a flag marking the end of the fight.
I leaned back, arms on my knees, letting my breath slow.
I did it.
No one was around to see it. No crowd. No cheers. But I didn't care. I was alive. That was all that mattered. I glanced at the beast's claws, long as daggers, and broke one free from its paw. It took three tries to snap it loose, but I didn't stop. I wanted it. I needed it.
A trophy. Proof that I'd survived.
I looked at it, still catching my breath. The claw was black, sharp, and smooth as glass. It felt heavier than I expected. I turned it over in my hand, running my fingers along the edge. It could cut. I could use this.
They called me useless back then. Back when everything was easy, and I still failed. Back when it was safe. But here, in this world of monsters? I'm still here. I'm still breathing.
I stared at the claw in my hand, the weight of it so much more than just bone. It was proof.
I'm not useless anymore.
I stood up, clutching the Gravemaw's claw, and turned my eyes toward the distant horizon. Past the ridges. Past the cracked lands that stretched into forever. Somewhere beyond that, I knew there was more waiting for me. More Zhorul. More fights. More ways to prove I wasn't who I used to be.
I grinned, wiping the blood from my face with one hand. Let them come.
I'm not the same anymore.
I'm not useless.
If you'd like further adjustments, a new scene, or help with spacing or pacing, let me know!
Here's a version of Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins with more consistent spacing. I've kept the paragraphs tighter and reduced unnecessary line breaks while keeping it easy to read.
Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins
The sun hovered like a dying coal in the burnt-orange sky, its weak light stretching long shadows across the cracked ground. The heat made the air shimmer, but the cold sweat on my back told a different story. My breath came in shallow pulls, quiet as I could make it. I wasn't alone.
Crunch. Crunch.
The heavy footfalls echoed from beyond the ridge ahead. Slow. Measured. Like it had all the time in the world. I knew that sound. Gravemaw. Bigger. Stronger. Smarter than the others. The kind of Zhorul that didn't need to chase you. It just cornered you.
I crouched low, gripping the rusted iron blade in my hand. I'd sharpened it last night with a chunk of broken stone, but it still had that ugly, jagged edge. I ran my thumb along it earlier. It cut me. That was enough proof it could cut something else.
The air smelled like iron and ash. The ground beneath me was cold, even though the sun still glowed. My fingers twitched as I shifted my weight forward, every muscle tense. Don't move too fast. Don't move too slow. Just breathe.
Then I saw it.
It stepped out from behind a crumbling rock spire, its hulking frame casting a long, jagged shadow. The Gravemaw's head was shaped like a boulder, its eyes small and sunken but burning like embers in a dying fire. It moved on four limbs, its claws scraping against the dirt with every step. The spikes running down its back gleamed like obsidian, sharp as spear tips.
It sniffed the air.
I froze. Don't breathe. Don't blink. Just wait.
Its head snapped in my direction, eyes locking onto me like I'd shouted its name. My heart dropped into my stomach. It sees me.
The Gravemaw let out a low, rumbling growl that vibrated in my chest. It scraped its claws against the ground, carving deep gashes into the dirt. Then it lunged.
I bolted.
The roar behind me was like thunder, and every stomp of its feet sent tremors through the ground. I darted between rock formations, heart slamming against my ribs. My lungs burned, my legs felt like they'd snap, but I didn't stop.
Move. Don't stop. Don't look back.
The Gravemaw smashed into a pillar of stone behind me, shattering it into chunks that flew past my head. One of the rocks clipped my shoulder, spinning me sideways. I stumbled, catching myself on one hand, but that moment was enough.
Too slow.
The Gravemaw's shadow fell over me. I rolled to the side just as its claw came down, striking where I'd been a second ago. The ground exploded with dust and debris. I coughed as I scrambled to my feet, lungs screaming for air. My back pressed against a rock face, heart hammering in my chest. Nowhere left to run.
It turned slowly, its ember eyes locked on me like it knew it had already won.
No. Not like this.
I searched the ground, eyes darting, desperate for anything—anything—that I could use. Rocks. Shards of stone. My blade, still in my hand, felt like a toy against something that big. I needed something else. Something it wouldn't expect.
Then I saw it.
The roots. Thick, gnarled roots sticking out of the ground like black veins. I glanced at the Gravemaw, then at the roots. Maybe… maybe I can make it trip.
"Come on," I muttered to myself, eyes wild. "Come on, Hollow. Do something."
I darted for the roots, yanking at the thickest one I could see. It was tough, but desperation makes you stronger than you think. With one last pull, it came free, snapping loose like a live wire. Dirt and roots flew everywhere, but I didn't care. I ran toward the boulder near the edge of the clearing, dragging the root behind me.
The Gravemaw followed.
I could feel the heat of its breath on my back. It was closer than I'd thought. Too close. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I skidded behind the boulder, looping the root around it like a snare, bracing my feet against the stone. The moment I felt the tension pull tight, I gritted my teeth and held on with every ounce of strength I had.
Come on, you monster. Come on.
The Gravemaw charged around the boulder, claws scraping dirt, eyes locked on me. It didn't see the root. Its front leg caught on the snare, and for the first time, I saw something that looked like surprise flash in its eyes. Its momentum carried it forward.
Too fast to stop.
It tripped.
The sound it made when it hit the ground was like thunder cracking the earth in half. Its head slammed into the side of the boulder with a sickening crunch. The whole rock shuddered. I felt it through my feet. Dust and pebbles rained down around us.
The Gravemaw twitched, limbs scrambling for balance, but its movements were slower. Sloppy. It shook its head like it was trying to clear fog from its brain.
I didn't give it a chance.
I grabbed my rusted blade and charged.
I jumped onto its back, hands gripping one of the jagged spikes. It bucked beneath me, roaring so loud I thought my eardrums would burst. But I didn't let go. I climbed toward its head. It thrashed harder, smashing its body against the ground to shake me loose. Hold on. Hold on.
I raised the blade above my head, eyes locked on the flickering glow of its right eye. If I miss, I'm dead.
Don't miss.
I drove the blade down.
It hit with a wet, crunching sound. The glow in the Gravemaw's eye flickered once. Twice. Then it dimmed to nothing.
Silence.
My breath was a broken mess of gasps. My arms felt like they'd been crushed. Blood—mine and the monster's—ran down my arms, soaking into my torn sleeves. I sat there on its back, looking down at the dead beast beneath me.
I slid off its side, knees hitting the ground hard. For a while, I just stared at it. The Gravemaw's face was half-buried in the dirt, its eye a dark, empty socket. I could see the gash where my blade had pierced its skull. The weapon was still there, sticking out like a flag marking the end of the fight.
I leaned back, arms on my knees, letting my breath slow.
I did it.
No one was around to see it. No crowd. No cheers. But I didn't care. I was alive. That was all that mattered. I glanced at the beast's claws, long as daggers, and broke one free from its paw. It took three tries to snap it loose, but I didn't stop. I wanted it. I needed it.
A trophy. Proof that I'd survived.
I looked at it, still catching my breath. The claw was black, sharp, and smooth as glass. It felt heavier than I expected. I turned it over in my hand, running my fingers along the edge. It could cut. I could use this.
They called me useless back then. Back when everything was easy, and I still failed. Back when it was safe. But here, in this world of monsters? I'm still here. I'm still breathing.
I stared at the claw in my hand, the weight of it so much more than just bone. It was proof.
I'm not useless anymore.
I stood up, clutching the Gravemaw's claw, and turned my eyes toward the distant horizon. Past the ridges. Past the cracked lands that stretched into forever. Somewhere beyond that, I knew there was more waiting for me. More Zhorul. More fights. More ways to prove I wasn't who I used to be.
I grinned, wiping the blood from my face with one hand. Let them come.
I'm not the same anymore.
I'm not useless.
Chapter 5: Echoes of the Void
Victor Hollow's body slammed into the ground, the earth buckling under the force of the impact. Pain shot up his spine, but it barely registered. His head swam, and his vision blurred, flickering between the suffocating darkness of the void and the dim, eerie glow of the rift above. The air felt thick, suffocating, like the very atmosphere had turned to something viscous, clinging to his skin and making every breath a struggle.
He tried to move, to push himself up, but the pressure of the air was too much. It pressed down on him, forcing him deeper into the fractured ground beneath him, as if the earth itself wanted him to stay buried, to be swallowed whole. A low hum vibrated through his bones, the sound pulsing with the rift, syncing with his heartbeat.
"Victor Hollow…" The voice came again, clearer this time, like it was in his head. Its words were slow, deliberate, echoing in every corner of his mind. "Do you know what you've done?"
He gritted his teeth, but his body wouldn't obey. His arms were like lead, refusing to move. He had to fight this. He had to—
The creature's voice pierced through the fog again, but this time, it was more than just words. It was a command. A pull. Victor felt the tug at the base of his spine, drawing him toward the rift, toward the presence that waited beyond it. The air thickened again, and for a brief, heart-stopping moment, he thought he saw the shapes of countless more creatures writhing within the rift, faint outlines like shadows just out of reach. Hungry. Watching.
He pushed against the force, his fingers digging into the earth, trying to crawl away, but his muscles locked. His breath came in ragged gasps. He felt as though his very essence was being peeled away, unraveling with every beat of his heart.
"No…" Victor whispered, though the word barely left his lips. He couldn't let it take him. He had to survive.
But the pull was too strong. It was in the air. It was in his mind. And then, there was a crack — like glass breaking, and suddenly, he was floating.
A high-pitched wail filled the air, and the ground beneath him seemed to melt away. He was weightless. The very fabric of reality seemed to fold inward, swirling like smoke. The rift loomed over him, vast and endless, stretching toward the heavens, pulling him toward the dark abyss. His hands shot out instinctively, but the rift seemed to defy his touch, a barrier he couldn't break. The creatures inside… they watched him, waited for him.
"Please…" Victor gasped, though he wasn't sure if the words were for the creatures or for himself. His mind felt clouded, his thoughts slipping between the layers of the rift and the waking world. The pull intensified, his chest tightening with the pressure, and then, with a jarring shock, something else reached through the rift.
Not a claw. Not a tendril.
A hand.
A hand that was made of something… alien. Its fingers stretched out with unnatural grace, every movement deliberate, as though it had existed long before Victor was born, long before the Starlight Directive had even taken shape. The skin, if it could be called skin, was smooth and translucent, rippling like water. The hand hovered inches from his face, cold radiating from its touch. Victor's pulse hammered in his throat, a freezing fear creeping through his veins.
"Victor…" The voice returned, but this time, it was no longer a whisper. It was a call — a command — rising from the depths of the void. "You are the key."
The words reverberated inside his skull, and his vision swam again. His mind fought against the sensation, but it was too much, too overwhelming. He couldn't focus. The voice, the hand, the rift… they were all consuming him, pulling him into something deeper, something that didn't belong in his world.
"You… you're the one who broke the Directive," the voice continued, distorted and unrecognizable now, like a thousand voices speaking at once. "You've awakened what was meant to remain dormant."
A sharp jolt of fear twisted through him, like a dagger to his chest. The Directive — the Starlight Directive — had never been broken. It had never been meant to fail. But here he was, caught in its unraveling, the balance between worlds falling apart around him.
He had done this. He had unleashed something beyond his understanding.
"I didn't… mean to…" Victor gasped, but his words were lost in the growing hum that filled the space around him. The rift seemed to expand, and the creatures inside it pressed closer, their forms becoming clearer, their movements faster. There were more of them now, and they weren't alone.
Suddenly, the world snapped back into focus. His hands shot out, instinctively grabbing for the ground. The rift hovered in the sky above him, but now it was surrounded by a crackling storm of energy, pulsing with chaotic light. Something was happening. Something was changing. The hand from the rift recoiled, retreating as if in fear.
Victor scrambled to his feet, his body shaking. He could feel the change in the air now — the shift in the fabric of reality itself. It wasn't just the creatures. It wasn't just the rift. It was the very world that was beginning to crack.
"Victor…" The voice was softer now, but still insistent, and for the first time, it felt familiar. Like a whisper from his past, from a life he'd forgotten. "You must choose."
He didn't understand. What choice? What was he supposed to do? How could he fix this? The Directive had been a constant — a guiding force in this world for as long as anyone could remember. But now, it felt like a lie. A broken promise.
But then, he saw something. Through the shifting layers of light and shadow, there was a figure emerging from the rift — a shape, darker than the night, with eyes that glowed like the stars. It wasn't like the creatures that had come before. It was something… different.
Victor's heart skipped a beat as the figure stepped forward. Its voice reached him, clear and cold, cutting through the chaos.
"You are the catalyst," it said, its tone both familiar and unsettling. "And you are the only one who can stop this."
The world seemed to hold its breath. For a moment, there was silence. Then, the rift pulsed once more, and the figures within it seemed to scream, an endless chorus of voices reverberating across the sky.
Victor's pulse quickened. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know if he had the strength to fight whatever was coming next, but one thing was certain: He had broken something. And now, the world would never be the same again.
Let me know if you'd like me to keep expanding or adjust certain elements of the plot!
If you'd like further adjustments, a new scene, or help with spacing or pacing, let me know!