the streetlights are on

The creature that lurked in the long grasses little resembled the child who had left the den that day. No, this was a wild creature, covered in the foul mud of the river and stuck all over with carefully acquired leaves and feathers. The only thing that remained were the eyes, narrowed in a predatory scowl as the creature hunted her prey. The prey cried out softly, like the piping of an injured bird, and it was all the creature could do not to leap out of hiding in her eagerness, but she held still as the prey moved through the grasses. The creature followed in a low slink, carefully placing each paw only when the prey did, the rustle lost in the larger prey-noises. Then the prey leaped on a rock, and for one agonized second the creature though it had escaped.... but lo! The prey's long banner was within reach! The creature lowered herself further into a crouch... then sprang with a bloodcurdling shriek to latch onto the prey with teeth and unsheathed claws. Die, beast, die!