Perspective of Athín Noctuas

Nophr, Zehan, 23

After twenty years in the wild land there were very few things on my mind, I only longed for her company while I hunted. Cleome created life in a way I didn’t know was possible, and she spent much of her time with them.

The eight moons were my only company as I lurked through the brush and peered through sharp briar branches. My paws made no sound. I watched the young flanks of a beast twice my size. Followed them, tempted by the tawny white of its soft, unprotected throat. Hunger and temptation dripped from my teeth and twitched in my legs, yet I waited. The woodland grew quiet around me as my green eyes pierced into the darkness. In an instant the beast was thrashing on the ground as I clamped its windpipe between my jaws, savoring the rare taste of victory. The beast tore at my stomach and my silver fur spattered with blood as I hesitantly released. Afraid. We circled around one another, eyes locked and growling. Bloody fur tips bristled and glinted as I looked for a moment to escape. For a moment I thought I would make it. I was wrong. I felt crushing teeth snap my hind leg like a pine twig. Sure it would kill me, I struggled to free myself and kicked the beast in the eye. Dazed, it recoiled and dropped me. I took my chance.

Another unsuccessful hunt. The ice between my wounded toes stung with every step, even my thick fur did nothing against the heavy, wet snow that soaked my flesh and weighed my spine. There were no sweet smells left among the land, so I limped home, hoping my blood wouldn’t tempt anything to follow me.

Gentle mewlings echoed through the moss covered cave, as my beloved twitched quietly in her sleep. I nudged her gently to check on the pups, but when she rolled away I could only see the blood. Tiny corpses laid at her side, along with a single round, tan pup. The child Cleome birthed, that we raised, and that she still struggled to nurse, had devoured its siblings. Gnawed their flesh down to the bones. Cleome and I didn’t have any idea of what we had created.