I hope you (whoever decides to read this :P) enjoy my story and please review!
Animal speak
Thoughts
"Human talk" (whatever that would be called :P- they're speaking Swahili by the way- thank you google translate :))
Chapter 1
I feel the light sting of rain pepper my back as I crouch lower to the ground. The wet grass and moss masking the forest floor slowly mold to the souls of my bare feet. With great care and control, I creep up behind one of the larger shrubs ahead of me.
SNAP!
I freeze in place and halt all breathing. My ears snap forward and the black of my pupils engulf my irises. Nostrils flared and muscles completely tensed, I draw in an inaudible whiff of the air. I take in the usual plethora of scents and sounds; the calls of exotic birds overhead, the distant babblings of a shallow brook, and the quiet whisper of the wind. Then I discover something much more… desirable. Restraining the low growl creeping up my throat, I inch into the small bush.
Through its feeble web of branches I spot my prey. A proud male deer well into his prime standing a few yards away. I recede from the bush and make my way behind the adjacent tree.
My movements are no longer passive, but remain hushed by the noise of the forest. I choose to circle my prey; I favor attacking it from behind and avoiding its antlers.
Once in range, my body freezes behind a large tree. Everything around me goes mute and I slip into the spell of the hunt. I feel my eyes grow darker and devoid of any shred of mercy. My broad lips pull back to reveal fierce canines and I slowly stock forward. I no longer feel the grass under my feet or the rain at my back. All of my vision and concentration has converged onto that single deer. With pin prick like pupils and ears drawn back in aggression, I leap into the air.
The deer, oblivious to my presence and his own danger, turns just as I pounce upon him.
Claws drawn and teeth bared, I bury my powerful jaws into his throat and thick claws into his sides. Tearing the skin and shattering a few ribs, the buck cries out of pure agony. His struggles only help my claws to tear more skin from flesh and the scent of his blood has a euphoric effect on me. Again he cries while trying desperately to liberate his neck from my fangs. After a few seconds, fatigue takes the deer and his movements slow. My pupils dilate back to normal and the trance-like state I had entered breaks. I crush his wind pipe to end his life.
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A few hours later I awoke under one of my favorite trees. The soft moss beneath me served as bedding and thin beams of warm sunlight tickled my skin. Eyes still closed and body fully relaxed, I allow a wide smile to spread across my lips.
That was a good meal. The thought crosses my mind as I absently rub my stomach and hum out of satisfaction.
I bet mom would- My smile drops and I stop rubbing my abdomen. I roll onto my side with a slight grimace. My tail sways back and forth with mild aggravation. What am I thinking about her for…? I… I! I bolt up into a sitting position and give a slight smack to both of my cheeks. I gotta stop acting like a cub! I was raised as a leopard, so I gotta act like one! What would mother think of me now? Lingering on the border of her territory instead of finding my own... I slump back against the tree in defeat.
I shouldn't be here. I just know I shouldn't. I look down at the hands resting in my lap; my hands, not paws. Instead of having golden fur with a familiar pattern of black spots… I was pretty bald. Besides my voluminous mass of hair atop my head, my body was mostly covered in smooth, cinnamon-brown skin. A heavy sigh escapes my lips and I ball my hands into fists. I know I'm not a leopard and I'll never be one, but… Mom… I miss you…
Despite knowing that I wasn't her cub or even the same animal as her, my mother raised me as her own. Even after accompanying her on hunts for two summers… my mother continued to stay with me; an act that was considered unusual for her kind. After what felt like my sixteenth summer, she finally left me.
My thick brows creased in despair as I thought back to the day we parted ways. Mom…
You must find your own way my daughter… My body is growing weaker with each day and I fear you have grown too attached to my presence. I do not wish to hinder you… that is why I must leave you.
Her last words echo through my mind and my eyes begin to sting. What am I doing?! I rub at my eyes defiantly and stand to my feet. I'm just bringing shame to mom's memory with all this weakness! Even if I can't see her anymore it doesn't mean she won't be in my heart!
I energetically brush the stray blades of grass from my kinky locks and stretch out my stiff limbs. Yeah! If I can't be a leopard then I can at least be the kind of daughter mom wants me to be.
Hands on my hips and smile back on my face, I look towards the top of the tree ahead of me. Before my nap, I had placed the remaining half of the deer carcass on one of its higher branches. It was still fresh and would make a great midnight snack. Hmm… My brows knit together with worry.
I wonder if mother has had dinner yet… No! No, no, no! I shook my head in disapproval of my own thoughts. Not again! I'm sure she's already eaten!
I was referring to the fact that, for the past month, I've been leaving half of my kills in front of my mother's cave. I couldn't help it! She was getting older… and weaker. I was worried that she couldn't provide for herself any longer; especially with the arrival of those hunters a few weeks ago.
I bared my teeth and snarled at the mere thought of them. I had yet to see any of them myself, but I had encountered many of their traps this past couple of weeks and during my past hunts with my mom. She really drove home the idea of not seeking out the hunters and that I should just avoid them. They're the main reason we moved around a lot before permanently settling in this territory.
And now they're back. My growls grew louder and I could hear the scurrying of animals overhead.
My body is growing weaker with each day…
At that thought, my growls quelled into a quiet whimper. I have to make sure she's eating… just leaving the food won't hurt… it's not like I'm talking to her or anything… I just can't get caught… again.
I titled my head to the side and rubbed the back of it sheepishly. Mom really chewed me out last time about that, I thought with a small chuckle.
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With the deer slung across my back, I quickly made my way through the forest. Diving over tree roots and just narrowly dodging the trees themselves, I bolted towards my mother's cave. The pathway was so familiar and nostalgic that I forget that I was leaving my scent behind.
It didn't take long for me to reach the small clearing that lay before her cave. I surveyed the surrounding area before letting lose a sigh of relief. I was alone.
Good she's not here, I thought with a smirk. Now all I have to do is- My ear flinched back toward behind me.
With all the training I put you through I thought you would at least be able to detect some hint of my presence.
My ears and tail flew up in shock and I slowly turned around. I let the deer slip from my grasp as I saw my mother emerge from the dense bushes behind me.
Well, she asked as she sat back on her haunches; eyes firm and tailing swaying patiently. Despite her mostly serious tone, I was delighted to see her.
M-mother! My call broke in my throat as fell to my knees and wrapped my arms around her. Immediately, I nuzzled my nose into her neck; she followed up with affectionate licks to my cheek. I missed you so much, I wined while letting the tears finally fall from my eyes. Her licking ceased.
Missed me? As I recall, we spoke less than three sun raises ago, she replied lovingly.
I pulled back to frown at her. That wasn't a real conversation; that was you lecturing me on the importance of independence.
Even though our facial features were vastly different, I could practically see the smirk on her lips. And seeing as you are right back where I told you not to be, my lecture seemed to have little to no impact on your actions.
My face burned with embarrassment and I turned my gaze away from her. I just wanted to make sure you were eating properly… Don't tell not to worry, 'cause I know hunting is getting tougher for you. I turned back to stare into her honey shaded eyes. The fur lining her mouth and nose was a startling white against the tan, yellow color of her coat. Adorning her face were several shallow scars; none of which, to my relief, seemed fresh.
Just when I think she's about to begin lecturing me again, she drops her head unto my shoulder and groans. Why do you insist on taking care of me? There's no disappointment or anger in her voice, only love. I gently stroke her back as we sit in silence for a few minutes.
'Cause… you're my mom and I love you. I don't know if I have these feelings because I'm just weird or 'cause I'm not a leopard, but I wanna take care of you. Her purring only swells my heart and resolve even farther. Please let me stay with you…
Aliya… she sighed in defeat and I hugged her with bursting enthusiasm.
This is going to be great mom! You won't have to worry about a thin-. I stopped mid-sentence and my head snapped to the right of where we were seated.
What's wrong, my mother asks. Run, I command as I jumped to my feet and urged her into the bushes. After finally catching the strange sent that I had detected she rose to her feet and we both took off into the forest.
"Chui! (Leopard!)." I heard something yell from behind me.
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How could I let this happen! I gritted my teeth in anger.
Do not blame yourself my child; just keep running!
The forest moved around us in a blur as we raced toward cover. Even now with the enemy not too far behind and the sun still reigning high, I couldn't bring myself to worry for my own safety. Immediately, I noticed the difference in speed between me and my mother. The idea of her running for her life on an empty stomach only fueled my worries.
Then it happened. A sickening crack rang through the forest and I saw that my mother was no longer inches behind me. In what felt like a fraction of a second, she was snatched into the air by what appeared to be a large, black spider's web. The webbing itself was several inches thick and suspended her above the ground, trapping her inside.
I halted almost immediately and looked up at her; my expression a mix of shock and desperation.
Mother! My cry was tainted with worry. I am fine Aliya. I could see that she was trying to stand up in the strange webbing, but her limbs kept falling though its holes. I sighed in relief, but quickly remembered the situation we were currently in. Hold on! I'm coming!
Drawing my claws from underneath my fingernails, I walked over to the tree that the webbing was attached too. Gripping the sides of the tree, I prepared myself to climb.
"Zaidi ya hapa. Nadhani nikasikia chui zaidi ya hapa! (Over here! I think I heard a leopard over here!)." I froze in place as I heard the strange calls of the hunters.
Aliya! My head snapped up to my mother's voice. Hide yourself! Take cover in the forest and leave me!
What! I can't! I won-! I could hear their footsteps getting closer and my heart was nearly pounding out of my chest; my hands began to shake in panic.
Leave me, Aliya! They are almost upon us and I do not wish to see my child killed in front of me! I flinched at her words as they brought me out of my panic. Looking up, I locked eyes with her; tears already forming. I will save you, I whispered and doze into the bushes a few feet away. Just as soon as I hid myself the hunters appeared.
Slashing through bushes with a large object that appeared to be made of the sharpest, shiniest stone I had ever seen, they stepped into view. My hands flew up to my mouth to stifle the gasp that sprung up my throat.
Eyes wide and focused, I leaned forward to look harder at them. They… they look just like me! The four… ,whatever strange creatures they were, walked to stand under the webbing holding my mother. They were talking excitedly with one another and the smiles on a few of their faces, oddly enough, quelled some of the fear in my heart.
They're just like me! I took in their features with amazement; they lacked fur, and paws, and spots, and… just about everything that made me different from mom! Well aside from the tail, ears, and eyes they look like me. I tilted my head in wonder. Their ears… were on the sides of their heads and about a fourth the size of mines. Their eyes… were also a rich brown color; a sharp contrast against my green-yellow irises. My tail swayed in child-like curiosity.
Maybe mom was wrong about the hunt... HOLD ON! Why didn't she tell me they looked like me?! Vexation began to flare up in my chest at my mother's betrayal. I was brought out of my internal struggle as I heard her roar rip through the air.
My tail stilled and my attention was back on the hunters. One of them was jabbing a long stick into my mother's side and another was laughing hysterically. My head lowered and my eyes narrowed; lips pulling back in anger, I had forgotten the positive critique I had formed of these creatures in mere seconds. I took a step forward, snapping a twig in my haste.
Aliya, no, my mother roared from above; her warning drowning out the noise I caused. Her cries seemed to only entertain the hunters farther, as the one with the stick continued to torment her. When she lashed back with a swipe of her deadly claws, she was able to knock the stick from the hunter's hand. Her actions had also frightened him as he fell back in surprise. Landing on his rear end, he looked up and locked eyes with my mother; she growled at him menacingly.
That had shut them. I grinned widely; my heart proud to have a mother so powerful and fear inspiring.
The one who had fallen over didn't share my feelings as he rushed to his feet. He began yelling at my mother in his strange native tongue; I can't imagine he was saying anything too nice. The other creatures were now laughing at him and I could see that he was becoming more distressed. Coward, I thought with a look of satisfaction. When my mother locked eyes with him again he saw that, even with their bizarre trap, she was the one who was still stronger than them. It was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Quickly, he turned to his companion and pulled a small object, no bigger than his hand, off his person. He pointed it toward my mother's chest and smirked. What is tha-?
BANG!
I flinched and covered my ears with my hands; ducking down closer to the ground. Almost as immediately as the sound ended, I sat back up. What was-?!
A loud mewl of pain erupted from my mother and the smell of blood polluted the air. Without thinking I shot up to my feet. Hearing my movements, two of the hunters turned to see me emerge from the bushes. One of them was cutting my mother free from the web; her body plummeted to the ground with a lifeless thud.
"Nini! (What!)"
"Ambao ni yeye?! (Who is she?!)"
They backed away as they took in the features that distinguished me from them. It didn't matter though; I could no longer hear or see them. I dragged my feet towards my mother; every step feeling slower than the last. When I was finally standing over her, I dropped to my knees. I reached out to touch her with both hands, but they just hovered over her shaking.
Momma… I could see the trails of blood streaming from her chest; I knew then that it was too late. Before I could touch her, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Wewe ni nani (Who are you?)," the one with his hand on my shoulder asked.
"Jinsi gani ya kupata hapa (How did you get here?)," asked another hunter.
"Ni yeye mungu (Is she a goddess?)," inquired another in awe; he was the one who killed my mother.
The one above me shook my shoulder gently. In an instant my hand was on his; I twisted and snapped his arm like twig. He barely had enough time to scream before I wrapped it off and sent it flying into the bushes.
"Yeye ni dubwana (She is a monster!)," my mother's killer shrieked as he took off into the forest. Before the others could react, I had sprung to my feet and dug my massive jaws into the creature's neck. Which a sharp turn of my head, he was dead. His two remaining companions reached for the strange weapons that had killed my mother. I quickly doze into the surrounding shrubs.
All around me were the loud banging sounds that claimed my mother's life, but I could not hear them. No. I could not feel the grass at my feet or the leaves at my back. My pupils constricted and my entire presence disappeared.
A few seconds of pure silence followed after the loud banging ceased.
"Ambapo ni yeye (Where is she!)," yelled one of the creatures; his body shaking in terror. His fellow hunter opted to flee, just as his friend had. I leapt from the bushes and tackled him to the floor. Hooking my claws into his neck, I ripped out his throat; his blood sprayed across my bare body.
So over taken by fear, the hunter behind me soiled himself and his knees gave out. He breathing was haggard and his eyes were as wide as leafs.
Standing to my feet, I turned to walk toward him. My eyes were blackened by my pupils and my expression was completely blank.
"Tafadhali ... Tafadhali! Vipuri mimi (Please... Please! Spare me!)," he screamed. Eyes locking with his, I slowly lifted my arm above my head; lengthening my claws.
"Vipuri-! (Spare-!)." He was dead before he could finish.
