As I approached the cave, I felt the weight of my catches tied to my belt, the small rabbit and a few squirrels, swinging as I walked. I knew they weren’t much compared to the hunters’ usual deer, but the thrill of having brought home anything at all filled my chest with pride.

Maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally get some recognition.

I entered the clearing in front of the cave, where a handful of women were gathered, weaving baskets and repairing clothes. My mother was among them, her head down, focused on her work. Her brow furrowed, her hair pulled back tightly as she worked, but there was a relaxed warmth in her face that I recognized only too well. She always looked like that when I returned from a walk into the forest even the shallow safe parts.

"Anir!" one of the younger women called, spotting the small catches hanging from my belt. “Is that a rabbit? And squirrels?” Her eyes sparkled with surprise. I could feel the eyes of others on me now, curious, appraising.

My mother looked up, her expression shifting from calm to open pride as she saw the catches. Her smile was wide, her eyes shining. She rose from her work and stepped toward me, a look of admiration on her face that made me stand just a little taller.

"My son is becoming quite the hunter," she said, her voice filled with a quiet joy as she turned to the other women. "Look at him—he didn’t come back empty-handed, not today. Soon enough, he’ll be out there with the other hunters, I can feel it."

The women murmured among themselves, a few casting approving nods in my direction. I felt my chest swell with pride, but there was something else, a faint unease creeping into my mind as I noticed some of their expressions—a glimmer of envy, perhaps, mingling with admiration.

Ah yes some of there sons haven't hunted anything big yet just small rabbits And if I rise as new hunter that makes me the one to take there pray.

They’re looking at me differently now, Am the Competition.

“Mother,” I said, unable to keep the grin from my face as I held up the rabbit. “This one came straight to me… couldn’t resist.” I chuckled, the thrill of the hunt still fresh, and I saw my mother’s smile grow even wider. I could almost feel her pride radiating toward me like warmth from the fire.

“That’s the way it is,” she said, her voice a little softer, as though talking to herself. “Hunting like a man… learning to provide.” She looked at the rabbit as if it were something sacred, not just meat, but a symbol of growth.

Just then, the hunters returned, carrying a heavy deer between them, and the tribe gathered around with cheers and congratulations. One of the older hunters, Torak, noticed my small catch hanging from my belt and gave me an approving nod.

“Well done, Anir,” he said, his voice gruff but kind. “Soon, you’ll be joining us on bigger hunts, eh?”

“Thank you,” I replied, trying to keep the pride from overwhelming my voice. But it was hard, standing there in front of the others, feeling the weight of that simple recognition, and doing my best not to let it effect my mind. I don’t need there love it isn't the my target.

Am just showing them I can be something more than just another mouth to feed.

Torak patted me on the shoulder as he moved past, carrying the deer into the cave. A few of the younger boys, those closer to my age, shot envious glances in my direction. One of them, Len, eyed my rabbit with a half-hidden scowl, barely concealing his irritation.

“Not bad… for a druid’s hunt,” he muttered, just loud enough for me to hear, his gaze lingering on the rabbit.

I smirked, letting his words roll off me. “It’s a start,” I replied calmly, refusing to rise to his bait. Inside, I could feel the heat of my own pride mixing with a touch of defiance.

They think they’re the only ones who can provide for the tribe. But they don’t know what I can do.

Turning back to my mother, I saw her face flush with happiness as she chatted with the other women. There was a new light in her eyes, a hope that hadn’t been there before. She reached over, her hand briefly touching my shoulder, and I could feel her joy, her relief, as though my success was hers as well, and it is.

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“Today, it’s a rabbit,” she whispered to me, her voice low so that only I could hear, “but tomorrow, it will be much more. You’ve shown them what you can do, Anir.”

As she turned to join the others in preparing the evening meal. Our portion tonight will be bigger after all I had hunted a rabbit most of its meet is ours.

I nodded, absorbing her words, feeling the weight of them settle on me. This was more than just a small catch. It was a beginning, a chance to prove myself to the tribe, to earn my place among the hunters. I looked around at the faces, some welcoming, others tinged with envy, but all eyes were on me.

They see me now. And I’ll make sure they keep seeing me, but not too much, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

But, I could still feel that weight of their gazes, a silent acknowledgment of what I had achieved. I had to remind myself that these people are a resource for me and my mother, that's all.

the sun was beginning to sink, casting warm, golden light over the rugged stones and casting long shadows.

And it was time to start sealing the cave.

As the night settled over the cave, the tribe grew quiet, the fire’s glow casting warm shadows across the walls. I sat beside my mother, the faint crackle of the fire between us, her face half-hidden in the flickering light. She watched me for a moment, a look of pride mixed with something else, something heavier.

“Anir,” she began, her voice low, almost a whisper meant only for me. “I am no hunter, just a woman who knows these woods in her own way. But I see things, and I know this much: fierce wolves stalk you both day and night. And under every leaf, there are insects that sting, some more dangerous than others.” She paused, her gaze steady. “But the true danger, my son, comes in the dark.”

I listened, feeling the weight of her words, my stomach twisting with the seriousness of her tone. “Then the danger is out there,” I replied, glancing toward the cave entrance, where only darkness stretched beyond.

My mother’s eyes softened, but her face grew more solemn. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “The danger is closer than you think. It lurks in the hearts of men. Not everyone is happy about your achievements, Anir.”

Her words weren't a surprise. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came, only a growing sense of unease as her gaze held mine, searching, protective yet afraid.

“I only want to help us survive. And that starts with showing them I can do more than sit and wait for the hunters to bring food.”

She placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently, her eyes dark with a knowing sadness. “Because, Anir, not everyone values what you offer. Some see it as a threat, a challenge to their own worth. Even among the tribe, there are those who would see your success as a stain on their pride.”

I let out a breath, looking down, the little excitement from earlier fading as her words sank in. “I know than not everyone wanted me to succeed.”

“You must be careful, my son,” she continued, her voice a low murmur. “There are those who envy what they don’t understand. And in the shadows, that envy festers.” She paused, her gaze sharp, almost fierce. “You’re not just becoming a hunter, Anir. You’re becoming a man—someone people will look up to… or feel threatened by. That power, that influence… it’s dangerous.”

I swallowed, feeling the heaviness in her words settle deep within me. I know what must be done but man needs to listen to advice even if he knows it by hart, “Then what should I do?”

A soft smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes remained cautious. “Stay humble, keep learning. But most importantly, stay watchful. Don’t let them see you falter. And don’t give them reason to believe you think yourself above them.”

I nodded, understanding the wisdom in her advice, even if it didn’t entirely soothe the unease growing in my chest. The thrill of the hunt, the pride in bringing back something for the tribe—these things had felt pure, good. But I know better then the naive fool I used to be.

“Thank you, Mother,” I said, my voice quieter. “I’ll be careful.”

She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my forehead, a gentleness in her touch that softened the edge of her words. “You’re my son, Anir. I would have you grow strong, but I would also see you grow wise. Trust yourself, but trust your instincts, too. They’ll keep you safe.”

As she withdrew her hand, I sat back, the firelight dancing in her eyes, her face calm but serious. I knew then that her warnings weren’t just about the forest or the beasts we shared it with. They were about people, the faces I saw every day, the ones I’d have to watch more carefully from now on.

I remembered the past.

This—all of it—was the fault of one man. I didn’t see him for what he was, didn’t realize how my misplaced kindness was a sin against myself. I let him into my home, my life, and in the end, I found myself adapting to him, learning from him, absorbing his identity, his ideology, until they became mine. There was no tipping point, no guilt, no regret. That made me powerful. Now I dream of subjugating my world, wielding pain without hesitation or remorse. He caused this. He pushed me to become the man I am now.

Enemies don’t always show their faces, I reminded myself, stealing a glance at the shadows flickering along the cave wall.