Pain.

It nipped at my body and took over my brain, sending burning hot sensations through my whole being. I groaned in defeat. I would die, bound in human chains like so many before me. And once again, I have no choice.

My whole life, I have never had a choice. I had no choice when the queen killed my parents, no choice when I raided those evil monsters of their livestock and no choice when or how my life ends.

Indignant mumbling, followed by a screech of pain caught my attention. A human scent washed over my nostrils, sweeter and milder than any others I have smelled.

A small boy climbed over the rock. He had dull green eyes and simple, warm coverings. My ears perked up when I smelt blood. He had wounds, just recently healed. I sensed fear, pain and relief coming off him in waves.

He pulled out a small sharp object that I knew came with pain and death. This puny, thin excuse for a human had come here to end me. Fear. I was defenceless underneath him and he was scared of me.

He took a deep breath and muttered more things, seemingly spurring himself on. He put his cold, slightly soft small boot on my leg. I jerked in surprise. How dare he touch me!

He fell back onto the rock and groaned. That action had opened his wounds. The pain of my own overwhelmed me.

He was scared. He felt.. guilty? He didn't want to kill me? Who knew heartless human monsters had feelings? I groaned at the pain as he whispered encouragement to himself. Just get on with it! My green eyes caught his and I saw my own soul reflected in his own. He sighed and murmured something guiltily and sadly.

Suddenly the tight ropes loosened. He was cutting the bonds and not me! I will be free! Overjoyed at the sudden release of the overwhelming pain, I pounce!

All I can feel from him now is fear fear FEAR! He smells strangely familiar, like smoke.

No! He is human! He was going to kill me! Humans are bad. I should kill him now.

His frightened gaze meets mine again and breaks my resolve. His fast heartbeat flutters underneath my paw and his bony chest. I smell his blood, stronger now. Cuts on his inner arm. Quite a lot. Despite his sticky-out bones, he is quite soft and very tiny. His scared, soulful eyes bore into mine. He is just a child and completely defenceless. He is completely alone.

Then it hits me. He had a choice: he chose not to kill me. Now it is my turn, my choice. I can choose to kill him. This is my choice, my first real choice. What do I really want?

All the chaotic feelings in my head coupled with the pain still in my body crowd my senses. I bare my teeth and scream at him for causing me these. His frail heartbeat flutters again and his breath puffs on my nose as I near his face. I push down on his fragile bony chest, a sharp contrast to the stone on my other foot and take off.

I scream in surprise as I hit the stone wall before falling out the sky. I am broken. Forever. But somehow I feel freer than ever. I made a choice. My first real choice.