Tiger
-.-.-.-.
Late summer of my third year being like this. A vampire. No, that still sounded wrong. I prefer the term mutant. Oh well, it doesn't matter. What does is my surroundings, lush and green, fresh and pure. A light breeze is sending cold air in from the north. I can just smell the snow from the high mountains.
Staying very still, I focus on my senses. Hearing at least a dozen different kind of birds. Rodents scurrying about. Oak and pine trees. A stream of rushing water. And beating hearts, big hearts. My throat burns a little. I lick my lips and try to decide if I should hunt. It hasn't been that long since my last trip.
Still I follow the sound, just to see what kind of animals are here. After several miles I recognize the scent of deer. But suddenly the wind shifts a little and I smell something new. This is definitely a predator. Not a bear. If I had a heartbeat, it would go faster now.
An image of what kind of creature it might be pops up in my head. Excitement fills me. Could it really be? Carefully I move through the trees, I don't want to scare it off. Reaching a straight path I slow down, knowing he is close. Yes, I feel it's a male, hearing big paws approach with grace. My breathing stops in anticipation.
Time seems to stir. And then… he steps from among the bushes, his colour vibrant, strong muscles move fluently under his fur.
He's less than a quarter mile away. His massive head turns to me. So beautiful. With these eyes I can really appreciate him. All the shades of orange, red, black, brown and white of his fluffy coat. The whiskers on his face. The yellow of his eyes, similar to my own. He exudes power, being in his prime and very healthy.
I want to get closer, but hesitate. Should I? Maybe not. Still, when would I get such a chance again? He can't harm me now. I take some steps at a human pace, along the edge of the path. This amazing cat stays where he is. My form doesn't say danger to him. He rules here. I go a little faster. At about 250 yards I stop. This look suspicious to 'the king of the woods'. His whole body shifts in my direction.
Tensing up he pulls his lips back to show his teeth. Raising his head he strikes a threatening pose. I'm in awe of this 600 pounds plus Siberian tiger. Next he manages to surprise me and leave me with a sense of wonder. He roars loudly, the sound echoing through the forest, vibrating in my chest.
It leaves me frozen, while other creatures run for their lives. My jaw drops and all I can do is stare. He's amazing, even as he charges towards me. Blowing out a breath, I move out of his way an inch in the nick of time.
In a bit of a trance I lift my hand and brush my fingers through the fur on his back while he passes. Five seconds later he realises he missed me. Digging his claws in the dirt, he spins around to go once more. His tail flying behind him like a rudder.
We dance in circles for a moment. He takes a couple of swipes at me. Soon enough though he figures out he can't catch me. I jump up in a nearby spruce and take off at a regular speed. One more time I admire him at a distance. Smiling as he seems a little stunned. I'm so happy I'll be able to recall this encounter in every detail. Hmm, this king deserves a name; … like … Maximus. Perfect.