The Last Night

A peaceful night would soon turn into one of terror for the girl. The sound she had heard was real. But she had failed to notice the scent and the incoming danger due to the herbs she had chewed up. Her sense of smell wasn't totally there yet, and by the time she realized what was coming after her, it was almost too late. Through the darkness, she heard a growl. The dark woman quickly stood, facing the opening of the cave. When she saw the shadow form stalking towards her, the click of its claws on stone, and the familiar sound it made...her heart dropped.

The beast lunged at her, but Quake had scrambled away in the nick of time. The cougar landed square where she had been just a second before, but it wasted no time in trying again. Quake tried to race past it, to escape the cave and run. But the feline was much too fast. It lashed out with a heavy paw, scoring her shoulder with a powerful swipe of its claws. A sound that was half yelp, half howl escaped her, and she was terrified! The adrenaline that rushed through her prevented her from feeling the new pain, but she could feel the blood trickling down her shoulder. She scurried back out of range, heart pounding with nothing but fear. She could fight, somewhat. Her uncle had taught her. But she had never fought anyone or anything but him. Her mind was racing too much, just trying to keep herself alive. Where was her uncle? Was he too far away to hear her?

The beast began to back her into the cave, ultimately trapping her and cutting off any chance of escape she might have had. That was when he heard him calling her name. "Uncle! Help!" She cried out, yelping again as she barely managed to avoid another attack.