Choose your prey better

The cat is mad. It’s wounded tail twitches in annoyance as the tiger growls and hisses at her. Fern stares the beast down, growling deeply at the angry cat. Eyes catch movement as her fighting companion runs in and bites the tiger’s upper neck. A very undignified yowl escapes the creature and Fern sucks in a breath as the cat swings its deadly claws and teeth toward the other wolf. He hops back and out of the range of the strikes and Fern releases the breath she had been holding.

As the other wolf bites the paw, Fern takes advantage of the distraction and drops back, preparing to attack again. The wounded paws seem to be hampering the cat’s speed and, when the other wolf looks at her, Fern understands the message. His wary gaze seems to question her and she offers a wide smile. With any luck, one last attack and the tiger will hopefully run. Fern wasn’t a complete idiot. If the cat ran, she would let it.

The tiger’s eyes try to track both of the wolves and decided which one is the bigger threat. Fern kicks off and starts trotting around the tiger’s side. Its eyes track her but its attention is still split between the wolves. It hisses its displeasure at them and drops back, putting distance between it and the wolves. It lifts its injured front paw to swat at the first thing that comes within range. Eyes search for an opening in the cat’s stance to exploit.

Fern angles her paws towards the beast and trots closer to the outraged cat. Then, the opening she has been waiting for, happens. Her fighting companion does something to anger the cat and, as the tiger turns to look at the other wolf, Fern picks up speed and darts under the cat’s chest. Jaws open wide and Fern latches onto the injured front paws joint. Sinking her teeth deep into the elbow joint, the gray girl uses her momentum to throw herself sideways and to the ground. Teeth shred flesh and Fern hears and feels a sickening crunch in her mouth.

The tiger roars in pain and outrage as the gray girl releases her hold on the joint and rolls back up onto her paws to quickly escape her place from under the cat. Claws and teeth try to find purchase on her skin but she dodges and weaves her way out. It turns to try and follow her but its movements are slow and pained. Paws carry her out of harm’s way and Fern moves to cross behind the tiger and rejoin her companion in front of it.

Maybe it thinks that she is going for its tail again or maybe it has just had enough of her. Either way, Fern is completely caught off guard when the tiger lashes out at her with its hind leg. Paws connect with her side and send Fern spinning away into the snow. The sudden change in position leaves her slightly dazed and all she can think is, ‘Did that fucker just donkey kick me?’. Body finally comes to a stop and she lays in the snow for a moment, stunned and breathless. Hopefully her fighting companion can finish the job and drive the tiger away.