SOMETIMES THE HUNT IS ALL THERE IS…

She’s alone. I see her now, walking briskly north. She, too, has learned not to run. I shorten the space between us too soon, pressing down need and anger. Shall I let her hear me? No.

She turns, sensing the darkness moving… Her tender heart rate is rising. Now she knows it’s me. She struggles not to run, looking hard over her shoulder. Does she hope for a different ending? How could she believe that? How could she try so valiantly if she does not?

Disciplining my strength into grace, I shadow her… I’m almost touching her, breathing the slippery smell of her fear. But the thrumming beat of her, visible through the warm flesh of her throat, summons me. My pulseless fingers reach out for the hammering vein and feel it pound swifter against them. She makes a strange noise and runs.

I watch as long as I can, her strong body straining forward, before I slide in behind her. Magnificent, striding flight, her legs stretch and mine shadow. I rein myself back as her endurance fails. Her blazing lungs and her tearing heart echo through me. I could so easily overtake her, drive my teeth into her now, but she will exhaust herself soon and have to stop. And then…

Then I will take her…