Along with the boy’s gradual change in mentality, came a change in conduct.

He acted much like a beast would. Making and patrolling a territory.

He had expanded his activity range due to the halt of fresh meat being delivered to his scavenging ground. Unsatisfied with the small game of the ravine he ventured out, clamming and exploring half the mountain, unable to manage more alone. He strangely never ventured beyond a certain cliff, or left for what was beyond the mountain.

A fear clung to his heart, though he did not realize it.

These days were quite peaceful, he set up a number of dens around his territory, places for him to rest and recover after a harsh fight for food.

As he grew he expanded on his range of animals he could kill.

Where once, foxes, wolves and boars could kill him with little trouble, if not for the traps he laid, now he could hunt and kill, if willing to bear the scars and struggle of battle.

His life now was simple yet fraught with the dangers of the mountain and the wild. Hunt, Eat, Sleep, Survive, He learned from his prey and other predators how to hunt more effectively and how the mountains were split into overlapping territories.

These territorial disputes served as a form of entertainment to the boy, exited to see wolves and other mammals maul each other, as none of it concerned him and he may even be able to snatch a corps or two.

After the fall, he had consciously or unconsciously avoided any human contact. (live humans) His, tramas, fear and hatred like shackles tying him to the world of beast. But fate just loves to fuck with people, doesn’t it, so we just got to deal with it.

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I stalk through the forest unhindered, perfectly camouflaged with the brush, due to the dirt and grime spread across my body. My steps and breathing nearly silent as I stalk my prey from a distance. I know they’ve already noticed my presence, as their senses are finely honed, but they don’t bother to run as i'm a distance away and haven't made any moves to have them fear me as a threat.

I’ve been tailing these animals for a few months, getting a hang of their routine. Where they like to group, how they react to predators, where they like to go.

My traps are already set and before long they will wander into the pass. I intentionally made my presence known to them, gently corralling them into a funnel. Careful not to spook them and have them leap over or charge through the branch and bush walls I set up.

They should take the path of least resistance and walk into the trap set up at the end of the funnel, right where the brush opening is. The few traps right outside that opening should also catch a few, if i'm lucky.

As they draw nearer to the small hole in the brush walls, I calmly urged them to move through.

“SNAP!!”

The vine noose is triggered! Instantly coiling around the front two legs or my first prize, hauling it up into the air.

“SQUEEEEEEELLLLLLL!!”

Panicked cries are heard as the small boar struggles with its bindings but alas, i’m experienced, These ropes won’t send to the will of this insignificant creature, I made sure of that.

The rest of the fear stricken lot, start to dart in all directions after the distress call of the first boar. Shrieks and squeals fill the air as they dart through the brush. I hear a few more of my contraptions spring. I wait a few more moments until those who have not been captured dart away and out of sight, their delightfully miserable squeals disappearing into the forest.  

I walk calmly up to the first boar, a smile creeps up to my face as I watch it’s futile struggle but only for a moment. I quickly slit it’s throat, my handy sharpened rock never failing in its assigned task. I watch as the small boar shudders in pain and fear as it watches its life blood drain from it’s body. It’s eyes grow dull. I turn from it, heading to check on my other traps, even before it’s life is fully extinguished.

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I herd five other traps spring but only two seem to have desperate squeals crying out from them. They smell the blood of their brother and know what is to happen yet still futilely try to struggle.

It will do them no good, a pointless act, my traps are secure. I unhurriedly draw near them, once again slitting the throats of my prey.

I patiently wait for the blood to drain, then hurriedly sling the three baby boar’s over my shoulder and head to one of my many dens.

My steps are hurried as I know the blood will attract many who wish for an easy meal. I may be able to hold my own against most predators on the mountain, but direct confrontations come with two heavy of a cost, especially if I run into a pack.

It takes me months to heal from a heavy injury, not to mention how it impacts my hunts. I cannot afford to take damage that could put me out of commission for months if not outright kill me.

I run through the trees, swiftly avoiding obstacles while drooling at the thought of the boar flesh I will be savoring tonight.

Until I spot them.  In the corner of my eye, three bipedal creatures come into my view.

A myriad of emotions assault my psyche. Fear, disgust, appetite but what truly blazed over all my other feelings was my ANGER!!

They may not know it but they stepped on my territory! THEY’VE TRESPASSED ON MY LAND!!

So they must die.

I’ve never felt so ablaze,  I could barely control myself from jumping out and taking them to the ground. I wanted to eviscerate them as a warning to all, THAT THIS PLACE WAS MINE!

The blaze only escaped a moment, my instincts were screaming to kill, but I knew better.

I crouched down and decided to observe. They seemed to be armed, though barely, and were making so much unnecessary noise I couldn’t fathom how they would be able to draw upon any animals. One carried a spear, quite clumsily, while another carried a bow and the last was fit with a large curved hunting knife.

I observed for a few hours as they transferred MY WOODS! My instinct getting harder and harder to manage. Still I waited, I wished for them to get to the edge of my territory before I acted, As they would be a warning to others.

Finally, FINALY they were at the edge of my mountain border. Unable to contain my excitement and fury I pounced. Quickly stabbing my sharpened stone into the throat of the unsuspecting spear wielder. He was unable to cry out but bubbling blood and a loud obnoxious hiss exited his severed neck. He limply fell onto the crackling leaves of the forest floor.

His two companions were stunned as they turned and gazed upon the scene, their slow reaction to the situation, left me annoyed at how loathsomely weak they were. They were not fit to tread the woods.

I had immediately grabbed the first corpses spear and thrust it into the bowman, as he was still in a daze, the third had only just started to react to the situation but was again too slow.

I stabbed again, piercing the knife wielder in the stomach, he wailed in pain and I shivered in pleasure. A curious feeling… I dismissed it and thrust again.

Over and over I pierced his flesh with my spear. (LOL)

Hacking away at him until he was an unrecognizable mess of flesh. I took a moment to savor my handiwork, ‘my first territorial dispute was a fun one’ I mused.

My Anger had subsided, adrenaline gone, my head cleared

“Shit…...I dropped my boar meat”

In all my excitement and anger, I had dismissed my three boars when i started tailing my new prey.

I sulked a little but it wasn’t a huge loss….after all I have all this new meat right here.