Predator and Prey

Teddy leaned up against a tree, shivering in the warm air.  A few more steps, and there would be no turning back, even though he knew he had nothing to turn back to.  Still, every line of his body, every particle of his mind, screamed that he did not want to die.

That was what the invisible line before them represented: suicide.  Teddy, the man, could not sense it, but his partner in everything, his constant companion since he spoke his first word, his stag Grevin could smell it and shied away, his muscles twitching with the impulse to flee.

Teddy could understand, though, what the animal part of him could not.  Their home was gone, their family and herd slaughtered.  Finding another one would give them a future, but there was no guarantee they would be welcomed in times like this.  Times when even those of the same nation could be bringing the enemies down upon them.  He could have been followed, lead a new family to destruction.  Or worse, have done so willingly.  Teddy had heard the stories.  He was afraid to find others, even as Grevin pulled him to do so.

Anything, Grevin’s mind pleaded.  Anything but predators.  Once they smell us on their land, they will hunt us down.  That is what predators do.

But not people, Teddy tried to reason with the terror, but it would not listen.  Grevin could only understand that Teddy feared, too, and they should not be here.

As much to reassure himself as to help his animal, Teddy put his arms around Grevin’s neck and slowly crept forward.  The stag restrained himself from thrashing, as his antlers could cause serious damage to Teddy if he moved the wrong way, but he became more tense and trembled all the more the further they went.

Then, they stepped into the territory of the wolf nation.