Run Boy Run

Oscar wanders through the tangle of giant trees, his small hooves carefully picking their way over the roots. The herd is not too far behind; Kyren and Rann were rubbing their antlers on everything while Taiga had peeled off to go hunting. He just wanted to find a clearing to bask in the warm sunlight since the small ass knows winter is around the corner. Nugget sits on his rump, eyeing the huge trunks that the walk by. When the donkey finally spots a clearing bathed in sunshine, he eagerly makes his way toward it. Once there, Nugget immediately fluffs his feathers out and stretches each wing, soaking in the warmth for the coming cold months. Meanwhile, Oscar lifts his head up and allows his long ears to droop backwards as he relaxes as his eyes close.

Nostrils flare as he takes in a deep breath, enjoying the peaceful moment. Suddenly, a sound catches the grumpy donkey’s attention and his eyes snap open. It is small, the sound of a breaking branch under large paws that he could have easily missed, if not for his long ears. They immediately stand up, swiveling to find the source of the sound. He holds his breath, putting all his effort into hearing the softest of sounds. Another twig snaps and Oscar is off, racing toward the noise. Whatever it is, is large and heading toward the herd. He knows it isn’t Taiga, she had gone in a different direction. The need to protect Kyren and Rann overwhelms him as Oscar rushes onward and the sight of a big tiger’s butt soon comes into view. He rushes toward it, braying loudly to make it stop tracking his family.

The tiger swings toward, claws slashing through the air toward the donkey. Oscar pivots, presenting his shoulder to absorb the hit instead of his face. Sharp claws cut bloody furrows into the ass’s shoulder and he brays again, trying to make the tiger follow him. Nugget repositions himself, coming to rest between Oscar’s shoulder blades as the donkey spins and runs away. The tiger smells blood and an easy kill so it follows the wounded donkey. Pain sears along damaged nerve ends as he runs but he refuses to slow down due to the injury. Weakness means death and Oscar has to live long enough to allow his herd some time to escape. Zig-zagging through the maze of roots, blood flows freely from the cuts scenting the air for any nearby predators. Hooves thunder across the ground as he pushes himself onward, working to stay alive for a while longer.

"Oscar Monaghan" | "Nugget"