I opened my eyes and found myself surrounded by a comforting darkness. I could smell the damp earth that surrounded me and I closed my eyes again. But then I heard it again. Voices. Humans. Humans were bad. A spike of pain flashed through my mind but I started to move. Humans were dangerous. I knew this deep in my bones. I twisted my way deeper into my den, but I felt too big, and my feet were too wide. Something was wrong.

I started to try and claw my way through the eart, but my claws were dull. The earth pulled away slowly, but the voices were getting closer faster. The ground around me shook with their footsteps and I knew I had only moments. Panic flooded me. If I couldn’t go down, I would get out instead. I pushed through the too small space, feeling stones catch on my pelt. I pushed harder and finally turned a corner and saw the opening. Sunlight poured into my darkness and now I felt fear.

“It’s close. I can smell it.” I froze as I heard the human speak. It must be right above me now.

I had one chance. I scrambled as fast as I could from the hole. My tails caught on the lip a bit, and pushed hard and popped out. I could smell it, it was a predator.

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“It’s over here.” Another voice. Another predator. I tried to run to a nearby tree, but my legs felt too long and my bones and muscles protested at their use. Still I moved, but I had barely reached the tree when I was grabbed by my scruff and lifted into the air.

“It’s not human.” The voice behind me said. I began to whip my tails around, I kicked my back legs out. It must have hit stone before pain raced through me but I refused to give up. But then the other predator walked into my sight and faster then he should be able, he grabbed my lower legs. My stomach was exposed and facing the sky and I twisted trying to free myself. I used my blunt claws on the predator behind me.

“This is worse then dealing with snakes. Hey you, stay still.” Contrary to what I said, i continued to throw my weight around, but the hand on my neck hadn’t faltered once and the smell of predator flooded my nose. Then I knew it. I was going to die. A whine ripped through my throat and I heard the predators react.

They said more to each other, but I heard nothing, my vision tunnelings and my hope slipping away. Then I felt a sharp pain in my head and I felt my awareness slipping. The last thing I heard was the first predator.

“She’s feral, but perhaps she will want to keep...” I slipped into silence.