Bang! Bang!

That was the thunderous blast from the Two Paw’s death stick.

I didn’t know it was still pursuing me. Can’t it see I am hurt enough? I would ‘ve thought that the blood would have been a big enough hint!

The blade wound on my tail burns like fire, forcing my paws to pound the floor in frustration and pain. My limbs are tiring rapidly and my stomach churns in desperate hunger. I do not wish to go anywhere near that human pack, near those merciless beasts with their death sticks or blades of fire ever again. No matter how much of my prey they butcher for their own selfish needs.

I freely admit I was a fool to even venture into the Two Paw’s territory.

Starvation was what drew me there. Everyday they have roaring infernos with which they feed with bark from the trees and use to roast juicy deer meat. Temptation made me risk everything and enter the forbidden territory. It was at that fateful moment that a Two Paw passed me. He took one look at me, curiously peering at my ribs as they poked oddly out of my half-starve form before it screamed. I acted upon instinct, based on my frantic hunger. I killed it.

Their blade of fire is what caused my beautiful pelt to be splattered with the blood from my tail. But then again, who would have guessed that by injuring one Two Paw the rest would come armed with glittering blades and death sticks. I was nearly deafened by the thunderous blast from their death sticks alone.

I stop in alarm as the disgustingly familiar, musky scent of a Two Paw wafts through the air. I press my body to the ground and lie perfectly composed, waiting.

Crack!

The cracking sound of the bark snapping under the heavy weight of a Two Paw. It is dangerously close, close enough to fire it’s Death Stick again……. I should take flight and flee the area like any other sensible tigress of my breed……but doing so in this heat and in such a condition has…….wasted away my energy. My limbs no longer do as I command; they lie limply, blending in well with the crisp, sunburnt grass. I rest my head on my front paws and close my eyes, letting myself become victim to slumber, the crisp grass tickling my chin….I might as well…. At least for a while.

Crack!

I force myself out of my semi-unconscious state, eyes scanning the surroundings in worry as my head jerks back in alarm. It didn’t take as long as I had expected and for the moment, I am caught off guard, unprepared like a foolish monkey as they are captured in the jaws of a patient crocodile. In that time, I have just noticed the Two Paws, crouching , partly hidden by vegetation. But he has already seen me, his Death Stick gleaming maliciously as it is raised, ready to fire.

We lock gazes in an instant, and in it’s eyes I see something that reflects myself. Pride, hardship pain….. And fear. Two Paws’ must be sensing this strange feeling too, for it’s Death Stick reluctantly lowers, slowly until it lies dead on the grass. I take a step back, just in case it changes it’s mind. When I see it move it’s long fore-paw I instinctively back away, and turn , before leaping over a fallen log, escaping into the awaiting overgrowth.