Disclaimer: Nope. I still don't own Predator. I do claim this story line and its original characters.
P.S. Sorry this took so long!
Catch and Release
Chapter 7
The longer he observed the male, the more convinced he became that ooman was divergent from the norms of ooman society. Certainly he had never witnessed this type of peculiar behavior on any of his other numerous hunts. Despite whether or not he approved of what the male was doing out here, which he didn't, the male was atypical at best. There was obviously nothing good about a male who would hunt an unarmed, defensless female for sport. The term Badblood entered into his consciousness.
A feeling bordering on disappointment tugged at him. He had been anticipating adding one more trophy to his growing collection before calling an end to his Hunt. The chances of that happening seemed to be diminishing with every moment he spent watching his quarry. If the male was indeed a Badblood, which he was positively certain he was, his skull would hold no value to a seasoned Hunter such as himself. Prey without honor wasn't hardly worth the effort it took to kill it.
Still, he felt bound by his obligation to ensure the preservation of the female, if for no other reason than his own peace of mind. Convincing himself it had nothing to do with his initial fascination with the small, fragile-looking ooman, he continued to stalk his prey. He couldn't help but be a bit surprised when he found himself back in the location he had first shown himself, the male obviously trying to figure out which way the female had fled. A low growl escaped him. Apparently, the male was not going to be so easy to deter.
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It didn't take him long to find the place he had last seen Bunny...and the tree where he had encountered the creature. He eyed the treetops carefully for any sign of movement before kneeling down to inspect the ground where he had last seen his prey. The ground in this area of the forest was more densely packed and stoney. He was disappointed not to find any tracks to point him in the right direction.
"Well, phooey!" He rose to stand and kicked at the ground in disappointment. This was but a minor setback, for there was a trick to hunting rabbits that all good hunters know...and he considered himself one of the best.
Rabbits, when fleeing from danger, will take off running in a zig-zag pattern. While they are indeed fast and hard to catch, the path they run will eventually take them full circle and bring them back to the place where they started. Bunnies, he had found in his experience, were no different. As the saying goes, good things do indeed come to those who wait...and he could be very patient when the situation called for it.
A low, dangerous-sounding growl immediately caught his attention. His eyes darted nervously around as he surveyed his surroundings. He pointed his rifle in the direction he thought the noise had come from. He took a couple cautious steps forward, weapon at the ready. "Is that you, you son of a bitch? Where are you, huh? You cost me my kill. No one fucks up my game..."
Another threatening rumble halted him. It reminded him of the sound a bear would make...or a cat. Yes...one of those big cats like a mountain lion or a cougar. That's right, it was just a big ol' housecat...full of wicked teeth and razor sharp claws. It was nothing he couldn't handle. His lips pulled back from his teeth in a maniacal grin perhaps the game was so fucked up after all. "Here kitty, kitty..."
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Sobs trailed off into sniffles, which in turn faded into raspy breathing. The woman rubbed her eyes, now red and swollen from her breakdown and tried once more to haul her aching body up off the ground. She managed to pull herself up on the second try by using the tree closest to her for support.
Her loss of control, she realized, had done her a bit of good. The feeling of dispair no longer seemed as thick as it once did having cried out most of the tension she had held in since her ordeal had begun only God knows how long ago. Her head felt clearer, her mind more sharp. She could finally think without the voice in her head screaming about death and doom.
Instead, a quiet little whisper in the back of her consciousness stepped forward to remind her that she wasn't dead yet. Despite everything she was still here. No lunatic with a rifle, no monster from her worst nightmares had managed to do her in yet. There was still hope. She would cling to that hope as long as her heart still beat inside her chest. She would fight back. She would give it everything she had...till death decided to claim her.
To be continued...
Author's Note: Well, I hope you all enjoyed. Another shorty, I'm afraid. For some reason this one was hard to write. I just couldn't seem to get 'in the mood' if ya know what I mean.
Oh! Before I forget...I'm going to throw this out there for anyone who's interested in stuff like this. They replayed the episode of the crime show I watched that got this story rolling the other night. Google 'Robert Hansen' if you want to know more about the guy who loosely inspired my portrayal of Crazy Guy. That dude is one sick puppy.
I'd like to give applause to all you guys who reviewed the last one. I appreciate it!
predator808: I hope you enjoyed the update! For all of you that didn't catch the sketch of Bunny predator808 drew for this story, check out her Deviantart page. She has drawn another little 'Catch and Release' montage featuring Bunny, The Crazy Guy, and the Preddy. Check it out! It rocks! Thank you predator808!!!
syverasazyn: I wouldn't say 'great'. Its mediocre at best, lol. Buggs always was tormenting poor Fudd. I was always surprised the guy didn't just snap and go on a killing spree...or at the very least end up institutionalized. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Gae-ta: I'm glad you find the story interesting! AND BREATHE!!! I'll not have you passing out on me! Thanks for the review!
tain89: Bunny is going to need a long vacation after all this is over, I think. If you think she's having a rough time now...just wait. I'm sure it gets worse. Crazy Guy is still looking for her and the Pred is out there somewhere. We sort of have a duel hunt going on now. Crazy is hunting Bunny but the Pred is hunting him...and now Bunny is going to do God knows what. Anything could happen.
Solosan: I can live with an A-... I'm glad you like the Pred. He is a fine, upstanding Yautja, lol. I feel for Bunny, too. She is overwhelmed and under enormous stress right now. Yes, she may be crying but once she gets it out of her system and gets her head straight....
QuickStar: So true...quality should come before quantity. But, I do kinda feel like a tease with my short chapters, lol.
Blackrain7557: Wacky? Most people just call me weird, lol...but I can roll with wacky. Thanks for reading!
Till we meet again,
Tet
