a collection of (really) short stories

Predator and Prey

I lift a paw as I quietly pad through the freshly fallen snow. I journey into the forrest of tall pines and avoid the branches heavy with snow. Continuing on I come across a familiar stream, cold ice covers the surface but it is starting to disperse, leaving patches of clear, cold water. Approaching the water I gingerly walk across the ice, light on my feet, I slowly dip my paw into the stream. The temperate is cool and welcoming to my warm body, lowering my head I lap up the water.

I make my way off the ice as a pair of otters swim through the water, I ignore them, they are to quick to catch in this cold weather, I risk falling in the stream. I am hungry so I forge on. Coming to a vast plateau of white snow I sniff the cool air searching for prey. I shake the snow off my coat and glance around desperate for food.

I burrow deep into the snow and lay huddled there to conserve my heat. I listen intently for any movements, I hear nothing and continue my burrow through the icy snow.

I search slowly across the plateau, sprigs of grass breach the surface but nothing else. I am beginning to tire and need to find something to eat so I can successfully return to my home. I stop suddenly in my tracks, I sense heat nearby and walk painfully slow toward the unknown creature. Sneaking quietly toward the small source of heat my heart beats faster and I am alert with all my senses.

I burrow further along making my tunnel a long stretch, I sniff and twitch my whiskers to make sure everything is alright. Today is a good day and I am happy with my work. I hear a soft crunch of snow and I am suddenly frozen with fear.

I am closing in on the creature and it has not noticed me. Taking swift steps I move closer and closer yet, I hear it scurrying. Then it freezes, I can sense its fear, I have been noticed, there is no time to lose. I jump, coming down heavily on the snow.

I panic as my tunnel collapses over me, I sprint as fast as I can back through my tunnel, but the predator has anticipated my moves and is closing in. Snow rains down as a loud thump sounds, the predator is overhead, it is hungry.

I chase the creature from above ground, but even so it cannot hide in its little tunnel. I crash down onto the snow, breaking into the tunnel. I see the creature run out of fear, but I chase, knowing the tunnel will end.

I have nowhere to go, I am scared, the end of the tunnel approaches. I am surely doomed, I don't give up.

The creature pops up mere inches from me and I snatch it from the opening. It is shaking of fear, but i feel no sorrow, for I am in need of food. It is a low species and I am greater than it, I am glad I am not one of its kind.

Please tell me what you think I know this story is weird but oh well. Thanks to all my readers :)

amber_monique