The glade basked in the pleasant sunlight, a tranquil sanctuary amidst the trees. Leaning against the weathered tree trunk, I noticed a slight discomfort from a knot in the blanket, which I quickly adjusted to restore its perfection. Satisfied with the arrangement, I nestled into the soft fabric, my back against the sturdy log.
As I closed my eyes, a sense of contentment washed over me, the sun's warmth embracing me. Mid-chew, I detected his approach, his footsteps announcing his presence long before he breached my tranquil haven.
He advanced cautiously, displaying a respectful yet persistent demeanor. I wondered, why would he risk encountering me during my lunchtime reprieve?
His persistence suggested he had something pressing on his mind, something he deemed worth the risk. Yet, just because it was important to him didn't automatically make it important to me. I carried on with my meal, unfazed by his presence but keeping a watchful eye on his approach. He'd better not come too close.
Fortunately for him, he halted at a respectful distance and settled in, patiently awaiting my acknowledgment. His adherence to etiquette was duly noted. I was aware of his presence, he knew I was aware, and I knew he knew I was aware, but that didn't mean I had to indulge him immediately. With a subtle growl, a gentle warning, I continued chewing, unbothered.
However, as the moments passed, my irritation grew. My appetite had waned, and his lingering presence became less amusing and more bothersome. With a flicker of annoyance, I finally lifted my gaze to meet his, preempting any questions he might have had.
"Where have you been when I needed you the most?" I asked
He seemed taken aback by my question, his expression frozen in surprise. It took him longer than I anticipated to gather himself and respond.
"Lores, is it really you?" he finally uttered.
I couldn't help but huff at his question. With ease, I tore off a piece of meat and held it up on one of my claws, as if inspecting it.
"Don't think you can just help yourself to my food because we're friends!" I sighed. "You failed me when I needed you most. Was your hunt not successful?"
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He shot me a hurt and guilty look in response.
"Didn't you say you wanted to be left alone?" he countered.
His response caught me off guard. I didn't recall it happening that way, but upon reflection, he might have been correct. However, I wasn't about to concede that easily. It wasn't in my nature to admit fault. That wasn't how things worked!
"Perhaps," I shrugged nonchalantly, "but that's hardly a reason for you to come begging for food. You should bring your own!"
I anticipated him protesting about the surplus of food before me, but he once again surprised me.
"I'm not here for the food; I was seeking you out!" he declared.
Oh, really? I raised an eyebrow as I regarded him. So, he hadn't fled yet.
"Seeking me out? Why? I know you are planning to abandon me!" I retorted with a soft growl.
He didn't reply. Instead, he blinked and remained rooted in place, his troubled gaze fixed on me. After a moment, he whispered.
“Do you know what you're eating?” he inquired, finally speaking our shared tongue.
He didn't answer my question; instead, he attempted to deflect, questioning the quality of my food as if it were any of his concern! What was he even implying? Of course, I knew exactly what I was consuming: the defeated enemy, rightfully mine by the laws of nature! Any lynx could tell you that!
But as I gazed down at the meat, a troubling sensation began to churn in my stomach. Something was amiss, deeply and fundamentally so. The more I stared at it, the more I sensed an unsettling wrongness. I hastily banished it to my inventory, but the disturbing image lingered, refusing to dissipate.
I shook my head vigorously, trying to dispel the vision, but it persisted, haunting me relentlessly. My body trembled, and then I began to retch uncontrollably.
Violent spasms wracked my frame as conflicting thoughts raced through my mind. And amidst the convulsions, I reverted to my human form. Suddenly my wounds and the pain became too much for me to bear, and overwhelmed by the agony of my wounds, my consciousness slipped away, leaving me sprawled over the wretched remnants of my meal.