Ahoooo... A shiver raced down her spine. The hunting dogs were here.
Knowing that her pups wouldn't be able to run fast enough to escape the hunters, she left them in the den and carefully covered the entrance with the loose sticks surrounding the den. Hoping that the scent of the near by pines would be enough to cover her scent, she trotted off towards the sound of the baying hounds.
Picking up speed as the hounds got closer, she suddenly took a sharp turn and began to loop around in circles. Keeping a good distance from the hounds, she raced through the dense undergrowth in largerings that led away from her den. The dogs got closer and she began to take a straight line along a well-tread path which lead to the river.
Experience taught her that these dogs detested the freezing, rushing water, and it was generally all that could stop them. Although it did pose some risk of being swept down stream by the current, it was worth the risk. With the twitch of her ear, she caught the sound of the reassuring splashing of the river, and within seconds, she could smell the fresh scent of it. The dogs were getting closer. Despite their bulky bodies and lopsided gait, they were quite fast.
As she broke the clearing and skidded down the bank, she heard the surprised yelps of the creatures behind her as they caught sight of the river. Plunging chest first into the cold water, she let the water soak through her fur right down to the bone. Then, with long strokes of her paws, she slowly fought her way across the river, leaving the dogs snarling at the riverbank. Clambering along the rocky edge, she managed to drag herself out of the river and stood on the bank, panting softly. The dogs were pacing along the river in frustration, unable to get to their target and still growling aggressively.
Suddenly, a smell brought in by the wind sent the hairs on her back standing straight up again. It was the smell of the human hunters. The hunters that killed within a heartbeat with those terrifying sticks. Knowing that these hunters wouldn't be easily put off by a river, she shook out her fur and hurried into the cover of the trees again.
***
She returned to her den, hoping that her pups were safe. Squirming through the entrance, she was relieved to find all of her five pups warm and alive, curled up in a clump of brown fur and soft, black noses. Giving each a reassuring lick, she settled down and fell asleep, energy completely drained from a day of being on the run.
***
Hunger woke her up from her deep sleep. Having not eaten for three days, she was starving, but the relentless hunters never gave her a chance to search for food. Sticking her nose out of the tunnel, she didn't smell any fresh traces of danger. Making sure to cover the entrance, she left the den and followed her nose in search for food.
Trotting off along a well worn path used by many animals, the scent of rabbit caught her attention. It wasn't far off. In fact, the rabbit was just a couple tail lengths away, perfect distance to give chase. The rabbit was crouched in an odd position, and didn't seem to notice her at all. Letting instinct do the work, she sprung forwards on slender legs and leaped towards the rabbit.
A mechanical system with lightening fast reflexes activated. The sound of bone cracking.A scream of pure agony.
Pain shot up her leg, paralyzing her for a long time. Blood spilled out of the wound, leaving a sticky trail of crimson. When the pain slowly began to ebb, she recollected her mind, assessing the situation. Her leg was caught in the jaws of a silver, shiny, metal contraption that was hidden under a layer of leaf litter.
She gave a sharp tug on her leg, hoping she could free it, but the pain was too great and the jaws too strong. Whimpering in pain, she fooled with the contraption, trying to release her leg, but nothing happened. Giving up, she lay down with her head on her paws and closed her eyes.
Suddenly, she remembered her pups. They were in the den, and they were hungry. Standing up quickly, she tugged viciously on the chain that the metal jaws were connected to, opening up the wound that had finally stopped bleeding. Ignoring the pain, she struggled to free herself. Over and over, she sprinted in one direction, only to be jerked back by the cruel jaws and chain. She could almost hear her pups whimpering softly as their stomachs growled hungrily.
***
As the hunters approached the near-dead creature, pitifully sprawled across the path, she gave one last effort in escaping. Legs straining, she snarled at the dogs who were baying in excitement. They growled back at her. Stiffening as the two human hunters walked up to her with their sticks, she backed away, the snarl never leaving her face. 'This fluffy tail would make a wonderful lining to Mary's new winter coat, wouldn't it?' One of the humans grunted something to the other. The other nodded in agreement and pointed its stick at her. 'Say goodbye, coyote.'
The last thing she remembered was the vicious faces of the two human hunters as her whole world went black.
