The Hunt

Mali scanned the horizon, intent on the group of gazelles prancing around the African savannah. The sunset glowed ahead of her, silhouetting the herd of gazelles but keeping her in shadow. It was the perfect light for a Hunt. Mali leapt nimbly off of the rock she was sitting on, and flattened herself to the ground. She then padded along silently until she reached the small oasis that the gazelles were drinking at. Ready to pounce, Mali looked around the water hole, searching for a young or injured animal. Finding none, she crept slowly towards the nearest gazelle. She was feet away when she pounced, arms outstretched, claws flashing. Seeing the cheetah suspended in the air triggered a switch in the gazelle's brain, and the creature took off, zigging and zagging around the shrubs, rocks, and trees that dotted the grassy plain. Mali followed, the gazelle's stamina and endurance no match for the cheetah's speed and agility. As she took her final leap, Mali's claws raked the gazelle's flank, and the creature fell to the ground. The stars were starting to shine, and it was getting dark. Mali dragged her prey to the nearest tree, and, in the shelter of the branches, began to eat her kill.