Sebastian tilted his head as he observed his target. He crouched to his knees, his outstretched hand grazing the moist ground.
His ankle stretched taut, as if withholding the urge to bolt like a dart. His elbow flexed while his trimmed nails embedded themselves into the soil. His neck leaned forward, and his dark crimson eyes narrowed, predatory and wolfish.
Meanwhile, he caught the sound of a log creaking. He turned his head in that direction and spotted a large, graceful cat strutting forward on the edge of the half-broken log bathed in darkness.
The cat made each casual stroll with confidence and effortlessness. It has a tawny to creamy color and white or pale buff fur marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. The head is small and rounded, with a short snout and a black tear-like facial streak on its face.
It was a cheetah.
Once the realization flashed through his mind, the cheetah hissed, baring its sharp teeth behind its closed lips. It immediately stretched out its sharp-nailed paws and jumped off the broken log, which was large enough to accommodate a human body. It leaped toward the unsuspecting prey.
At the sound of the hiss, the two deer made a distressed sound as they fled madly through the woods. They sprinted across the trees while skipping over the mud and broken, tiny branches scattered on the ground.
The cheetah ran in pursuit after them, trailing closely behind. Its long legs followed in their direction every time the two deers made a quick turn in their path. Sebastian followed them, his crimson dark eyes following their swift movement. Everything blurred together: the trees, sky, grass, and large flowers.
They leapt over a small, murky creek, followed closely by a cheetah.
The cheetah sprang in the creek before continuing to follow the pursuit. The creek made a splashing sound as the water splattered against its slender legs.
All of a sudden, the fawn faltered and tripped over its legs. It crashed hard on the ground as it screeched loudly in pain.
Sebastian could detect the scent of the blood and realized that the fawn was injured, but how it was injured flashed briefly through his blank mind.
Sebastian watched the cheetah immediately rear back on its hind legs before it sprung forward in the direction of the fawn, aiming to deliver the fatal blow.
The cheetah's claws extended, and its jaws were wide open.
Sebastian leaped to his feet and collided with the cheetah at the same time. The cheetah slammed hard into contact with his powerful body forcefully.
They both rolled violently on the ground as his back was slammed against the trunk of the large tree.
Sebastian wrapped both of his large hands around the cheetah's slender neck as it attempted to stretch forward to sink its fangs into his face.
He could smell the cheetah's breath and growls, furious for being thwarted in not getting its prey. The cheetah sank its teeth into his right shoulder blade. Warm blood bloomed under his skin, and the momentary pain made him growl through gritted teeth.
They wrestled as their strength was tested. Each movement is a testament to how their mind battles. Two predators clashing for dominance and ultimate control.
His hands wrenched the cheetah away from him with the last strength he had left. The cheetah was hurled across the air and fell hard against the ground on its back. It produced a cracking sound as if the spine had fractured.
The cheetah lay still for a moment before its paws began to move. He could hear its heavy breathing as it grunted lightly.
It begins to rise and stand up on its legs slowly. The small rounded body didn't lessen its menacing aura as its eyes gleamed with a glint of viciousness.
Sebastian knew the creature's mindset. If he showed the slightest moment of weakness or hesitation. It'll strike.
The cheetah lifted its paws daintily as it snapped with a growl. Its black eyes observe him with a hint of sharpness. The long, black, and creamy orange-striped tail swayed slightly from side to side.
Sebastian gradually rose from the ground as his wary eyes remained on the creature. He stood above the cheetah as it raised its head to hiss at him.
Sebastian revealed a wicked smile, revealing a glimpse of white, sharp fangs. He said in a raspy tone.
"Leave now or I'll kill you."
Sebastian watched it remain in the same spot. Sebastian opened his mouth and released a deep snarl akin to an animal's cry. The birds in the woods flapped their wings in terror as it took flight. Some of them flew in one direction while others sought refuge in their warm, cozy nests.
The cheetah widened its eyes in fear; the hairs along the tail stood up.
The cheetah turned to flee and headed toward the pitch-black, dense trees. Its slender body became a mere shadow in the eerie darkness until the back of the cheetah disappeared from view.
Sebastian shifted his attention to the faint cries of the fawn. He approached closer to the fawn, which was licking its hooves. Sebastian narrowed his sharp gaze. The fawn's hooves were trapped in a bear trap.
Blood continues to flow heavily onto the ground where the fawn's eyes seem to express agony.
The bear trap was a rounded device with sharp teeth that clamped onto the hooves, preventing the fawn from escaping.
It's dying.
He slowly knelt on his knees to prevent scaring the fawn as he raised his hand out. He gently moved his hand in front of the fawn, who sniffed at him warily.
He gently raised his hand on his neck and patted the soft fur several times. He forced his lips into a gentle smile, yet the words carried a hint of regret. "I'm sorry for what's going to happen next."
If he doesn't do this, he might accidentally kill Atlas from bloodlust.
Both of his hands encircled the slim neck, and with swift motion, he snapped it until its eyes faded, dimmed, and lifess. The body ceased to move, and its neck arched backward.
Sebastian could feel his fangs poking his lips as he sank his teeth into the neck. Hot, mouthwatering liquid guzzled down his throat.
Sebastian gripped the warm neck with a tight grip as if he was consumed by a hunger he couldn't longer deny.
If anyone was here, they would see his dark crimson eyes gleaming with an insatiable hunger and dark veins visible underneath his eyes. His large body is leaning over the fawn's neck in the center of the woods.
His eyes closed with a deep hunger as he gulped down each drop of blood. He felt his body vigorized, blood rushing through his system, and the wound on his shoulder healing, his wound closing in a blink of an eye.
Sebastian kept drinking until there was nothing left. After satisfying his ravenous hunger, he released the neck as it fell on the ground with a soft thud.
The eyes of the fawn stared into the night sky with lifeless, vacant eyes. Sebastian rose to his feet as he wiped his mouth with his hand and licked the last remaining blood.
Sebastian's mind gnawed at him as if he was forgetting something. He decided to head back to Atlas, who was still sleeping. That's right, Atlas is the one who is sleeping, unaware of the dangers hidden in the woods. The cheetah was heading the way where Atlas was.
The knowledge had made his heart race until he pushed it down to keep calm.
Sebastian peered around the trees and realized he had wandered away from his original location. He was so absorbed by the hunt and thrill of it all. The exhilarating chase of catching his prey.
Sebastian headed back in the direction he came from, overstepping the fallen branches, and his face sidestepped away from the large leaves that were about to smack him in the face.
He walked hastily for several minutes, where the scent of the fire grew stronger. Even the smoke in the night sky became visible. He knew he was close.
A tug of a brisk smile pulled on his face when he smelled no blood, which told him that Atlas wasn't injured or dying.
He walked closer and brushed away the large, moist leaves that were near his face. He smacked his arms when a mosquito bit him.
Out of the blue, he heard a bloodcurdling scream ahead of him. It was Atlas. He recognized the voice, and the knowledge of that sent his heart into a frantic mode to speed along.
Another chilling scream in the night air forced him to run faster to figure out what had happened. He appeared at his location, and he couldn't find the sleeping figure. Atlas wasn't here. Where is he?
He wondered, with his blood pumping beneath his skin, every cell in his body on the alert for the missing individual.
He turned around at the sound of the branches and leaves being crunched, and he saw a shadowy figure in the darkness.