Hunted By Shadows

Fern works to match the dark wolf’s speed, the pair falling into an easy rhythm with the three deer caught between them. The smallest of the group tries to break away and leave its friends to their fate but the gray girl rushes ahead to cut off its route before falling back to keep them all trapped. The pack can use whatever meat is left over so nothing will go to waste. This is the part of hunting Fern loves most; the feel of the adrenaline coursing hotly through her veins; the thundering of hooves and heart; the excitement at the kill to come.

The group round the curve and Fern tightens her side, making sure to drive them straight toward the pit. In the end, the buck is the first to hit the trap and breaks his neck on the fall down. The second deer of the group slides down into the pit, struggling and flailing on the bottom. And finally, the third one, the one that almost got away tries to leap over the pit after watching its two companions fall. However, its leap is mistimed and it joins the others, the loud snap of bone resounding through the air as it smacks its back against the bottom. It screams in pain and fear, unable to move as pale paws move Fern to the edge of the pit.


"Fern Lark"