too slow in the snow

Her heart pounded with the intensity of an oncoming storm, echoing the silent drumming of the frozen landscape. The moment Spider lunged — a blurred silhouette against the pristine whiteness — Rakia followed suit. Her muscles coiled and sprang as she lept through the snow, her fur standing on end from the thrill. The world seemed to still around her, trapping her in this singular moment of life and death.

The sudden burst of movement startled the buck, its already wide eyes growing wider. But it was too late for escape. Surrounded on both sides by danger, it stumbled over its own legs, flailing in panicked desperation. Rakia descended upon it swiftly, her body colliding with the buck's in a flurry of snow and fur. They tumbled together, a ball of chaos, until finally, Rakia managed to clamp her jaws on the creature's throat, effectively ending its struggle.

The rush of the kill hung in Rakia's veins long after the buck's heart had ceased its frantic beating. She drew away slowly, breath misting in the frigid air. Gods, what a thrill.

"Rakia Perreau"