The three first gunshots had hit the tiger across its massive body. It was stunned at first as it inspected its body. When the tiger noticed it was not in any imminent danger, it turned to to the perpetrators who were not only not hidden at all but also chose to put on colorful clothing which made them very visible even from afar. They were also arguing so loudly, even Jim who was almost eaten just now could not help but shake his head in pity and embarrassment.
'F*cking idiots!' Jim thought as he heard the men argue incessantly. He could not see them nor the tiger but he was sure as hell that they had made the beyond rookie mistake of taking their eyes off their prey. And tigers, being what they naturally were, would not take shit like this lying down. He felt the wind generated by the tiger's speed hit and rip at his face ten whole seconds after it had charged at the two hunters. Jim quickly struggled to break the thin ice layer and ran for his life without a second thought as he heard the painful screams and whimpers of the hunters.
*******
Wilson suddenly heard the painful screams of two people shortly after the fourth gunshot. This bloodcurdling scream definitely curdled his blood because he forsook his initial thoughts of giving up and dying.
The merrier thought of being torn so painfully apart scared the non-existent adrenaline back into his blood flow. He stood on his feet, which by this time, he could not even feel anymore and yet, could feel insane pain coming from his muscles at the same time, and ran as if his life depended on it (because it did).
The things fear could inspire into a person's system.....
Wilson ran and ran. Nobody knew how long or how far he had run but he was not willing to slow down. His body, on the other hand, broke down in a ridiculous fashion. His muscles spasmed and even though, his mind was active enough, his body could take none of that anymore. His limbs went limp, bones broke as he hit the ground and every fibre in his body screamed of excruciating, frostbite-inspired pain and exhaustion. He dropped down with a thud and could feel his spirit slipping out of his body. Wilson suddenly thought he was ridiculous. He ran away from death only to die from exhaustion? How ridiculous. It is probably the dumbest, most unexplainable and most embarrassing thing to happen in history. Like, how does one die from exhaustion? But why does something feel very unusual? Wilson, for the first time in a long time, thought to himself that something did not quite feel right, especially the fact that he somehow had so much energy to burn when he got scared or hungry. Where does all that energy come from anyway? He did not know much about things like that, but even he felt like no human should be able to run as fast and as far as he had run this couple times, especially not when they were already so tired and hungry. Was there more to it than met the eye? Then, Wilson could not think anymore, not because he did not want to but because he was unable to think. He once again, saw his life history flash before his eyes as they closed involuntarily.
************
Jim moved fast, constantly boosting his speed with his wind manipulation ability. He did not have much ability cells to begin with, so he had to use it sparingly while doing his best to escape the aggro range of the infamous Snow Tiger.
He turned towards his right and he saw someone also running away.
'Is that the first prey? Damn, he is fast! Is he also a wind ability user? maybe he's using a talisman-induced speed.' Jim thought to himself as he ran on. He kept to his own escape plan but kept an eye on his fellow escapee.
Then, Jim saw the man drop down on the snow like a bean sack.
'F*ck! What was that? Is he dying?' Jim asked in his mind. He changed his direction and started running towards the fallen human. He ran fast and came up with a few plans.
'If the man is dead, perhaps he was already very injured or was already dying. Does he have anything I can use? I hope he does. Food would be the best. And if he is alive? Well, then I guess I would help him. At least he would feel indebted. Oh the things I could do with a fast, able man like that.' Jim thought, obviously thinking bad things in mind. He hoped the man was only exhausted, so that he could be saved. Jim knew how dangerous the world is, but he was willing to take the gamble of saving the human's life, so that that person would owe him his life. That would mean he somehow had two lives, no?
He shook his head as he remembered his undying uncle who had taught him that theory and proved how practical it could be.
Jim stopped by Wilson's left side and crouched. He checked his pulse and felt it was still there, although barely. Quickly, Jim took out a small red pill and forced it into Wilson's mouth, then poked his throat gently until he swallowed it. Jim then, took some steps back and waited for his pill to do its magic and right before him, he saw Wilson's body regain some color and muscle.