The darkness covered everything around like a thick blanket. Every creature and being of the day snuggled in, hidden and in deep slumber. Creating the perfect scene for hunters, the shy and ill-intended, the night was both a blessing and a curse. However, no matter how dark, it did not affect Drifta's vision in any way. Still, after all these years, it amazes me how the wolves' senses work- how incredible their night vision, smell, and hearing are.
I saw every branch, twig, falling leaf, and scrambling little mouse on the ground. But this was not a time to relax, no matter how much I could trust her. Her breath filled my ears and blocked out everything else as Drifta held full speed, running through the woods. Her eyes swiped over the ground ahead; even I could feel it, her hunting mode. Deep whiffs in between to map what the wind brought with it, her eyes constantly searching for new tracks.
That little pile of dirt, that half shoe print on the edge between the grass and path through the thick forest. All the little disturbances in the dirt, old but visible to a sharp eye, constantly swapping images for information with Driftas experienced brain. In seconds, this lightning-fast exchange let us follow old, faded, and barely visible traces after what seemed to be a little army.
The whole night passed like this, with no indications that we were getting closer, not even a single little clue that could hint in that direction. Somewhere alongside the night shadows, we changed. Bit by bit, we shut down, pausing unnecessary skills. As the shadows grew around us and the sun stretched back up from the horizon, we stepped into the new day as a pure beast. Running straight for the new day, the animal was in complete control. Left was everything we needed to hunt: instincts and ancient muscle memories imprinted. With my humanity tucked away, I had been left as an observer.
It felt strange, so incredibly calm and quiet, but still so strange. I just existed there, in my mind, looking through Driftas eyes. Still, it somehow felt like I watched it all with Drifta beside me. We traveled with the beast, and we were the beast.
Throughout the day, the animal rested, hunted, and calmed its thirst in small singing streams shimmering in the sunlight. The massive paws dragged over the grass and dirt, slowly strolling through the forest, always hidden in the shadows. When the shadows finally grew, the animal's pace increased. Every soar and stiff muscle now worked like the finest machinery.
Something I could only describe as "blood lust" ignited deep inside of the beast. Slowly, the sensation spread through the entire body and mine. It moved like lightning through me, tickling every single muscle and vein on its way. Adrenaline, power, and darkness.
A sensation that made my heart pump faster and my senses expand. A sweet metallic taste burned like a need in our mouth filled it with water, and the hunt intensified. Both Drifta and I felt the need to pull back inside the animal and the intensity that followed. Here and now, we were both lesser beings and needed to give form to the beast that demanded it. We moved swiftly through the woods, rushed past small prey, and jumped over fallen logs in the pitch-black night.
Two nights and two nights went by uneventfully. Not once did the animal let any prey at all distract her, no matter how much the desperation to taste blood fueled her. A necessary drive to keep the animal going, but still, her strength and determination fascinated and surprised me. But then, as the cold moon rose on the star-covered night sky, the beast slowed down and started pulling back.
A bit dizzy and out of it, I suddenly just sat there. In the middle of a little clearing with long grass, the cold moonlight broke through the pitch-black night. Why? There was nothing here!
"Even animals need a break."
Drifta huffed in my mind in a very matter-of-fact voice.
I didn't answer her, but I didn't try to hold back the eye roll either because I could feel the bickering already starting. But before Difta's growing pride and my ego could get the best of us both, a high sound broke through everything. Every muscle froze, and I held my breath and waited. Slowly, Drifta fused with me, and without a sound or sudden movement, we lay down in the grass. My muscles prickled as her strength spread, half her and half me, all senses alerted.
What was that? Voices? Breaking branches or old wooden wheels of a heavy-loaded horse carriage? My ears felt stuffed like clouds dimmed all sounds, but only for a couple of seconds. Drifta's soft, pointy ears stretched toward the sky and rotated from one side to the other, scanning the darkness around us. My hands and feet shifted slowly, bent in unnatural angles, but stopped when soft paws pressed against the moist grass and ground.
We kept low, almost crawling across the field toward the forest line, hiding in the lush grass. I still struggled to pinpoint what we heard, but I settled on sounds of movements- wheels, people, weapons, maybe? Steps, animals, and someone chopping wood. All the sounds were a bit muffled and from far away.
"Camp."
Driftas raw, exhausted voice rasped inside my head, pulling me out of my own mind.
"What?"
"For Goddesses sake Eir, stop being dens! They made camp; they are taking a break. Stopped to rest, eat and sleep. Sat down instead of walking for a while. Are you following, or do I need to break it down even more?"
I could hear her eyes roll around in my head and let out the world's most annoyed sigh as she pulled back, leaving me to wallow in my own embarrassment. However, all I felt was annoyance as I shifted my focus back to the dull sounds from behind the thick tree line.
Deep breaths… Slower. Deeper. The heavy darkness settles as my heartbeat slows down, and that incredible power returns. Like a cat, I move through the grass, through the bushes. Soft and effortlessly. While the distance between them and me decreases, the sounds become clearer. Even before I can smell them, I feel them through the ground. Their movements vibrate through the dense forest dirt, whispering to me.
In my mind, a picture evolves faster and faster. With every step they take, with each new sound and scent, a missing piece of it finds its place. The anticipation pulsates through me, warming my skin and flushing my cheeks as I smile. I can see them! See their camp, all of it!
"They deserve it, we deserve it."
The words breathe through me like cold air, edging the warm adrenaline pushing to be realized in my every muscle.
"Yes."
The moment I heard the smile in my voice, I let it all go.
Adrenaline followed by bursting excitement and pure joy exploded. The bright light twisted inwards, and the thick black darkness devoured us.
"NOW!"
A sickening, high-pitched screech flared my throat as we jumped through the buses and straight into the camp.