Hooved Mammals

Redrum's heart thrummed as he settled beside Azoula, his senses hyper aware of every movement around them. He could feel the weight of the tigress’s gaze upon him, her eyes like molten amber burning into his soul. But as he stared back at her, she gave him a smirk which made a shiver run down his spine. He understood the silent exchange, the challenge laid bare. She remained silent, forcing him to act on instinct alone.

As her movements signaled the impending strike, Redrum braced himself, muscles coiled, ready to unleash. When she lunged into action, he hesitated for only a moment before following suit, his instincts indeed taking over as he sprinted into the chaos of the herd.

The thundering of hooves and the panicked cries of the antelope filled the air as Redrum raced alongside her, the thrill of the chase pounding in his long ears. He pushed himself to keep pace, each stride bringing burning his youthful limbs, yet filling him with some sense of accomplishment. It was much too soon to be satisfied – they still had to catch the antelope!

The boy could see the poor thing, slower than its herd, panic to choose a direction to run. Exhaustion muddling its thoughts, if prey had much of those anyways. Redrum was quick to veer off from the tigress, an attempt to curve its escape route – and give his hunting partner an opening to strike. He snapped and he growled, all an effort to rattle the antelope further.