I am a predator.
Currently, I was stalking one of the most elusive prey.
I sat, patiently waiting, as the creature rocked gently back and forth.
Pretending to grow bored, I lay down slowly, haunches stretched out, enjoying the sunshine.
I looked around, deliberately ignoring the creature not far from me.
It was medium in size, covered in a soft grey fur, large rounded ears able to catch the smallest of sounds.
The slightest puff of wind would send it scurrying away, fleeing its inevitable demise.
I watched, pupils dilated, my heart thrumming in my chest, as the small creature grew accustomed to my presence.
Complacency was my greatest ally in the hunt, and I watched, as the small thing cautiously lowered its guard, turning its back to me.
That was all I needed. Just one small slip, one moment of opportunity, and my hunt would be successful.
I shifted slightly, rising into a half crouch as I got ready to pounce on this creature that had so daringly trespassed into what was my territory.
Before I could make my charge I froze. Off in the distance I could hear it.
Echoing through the long tunnels, and the large caverns that make up this place.
The sound of my one true nemesis.
The soft, melodic, jingling of bells.
I shot up, energy filling me like electricity. I could feel my hair beginning to stand as I leapt forward, crazed with the need to destroy that terrible feathered menace.
I dove around the corner, running full tilt towards where I knew that thing would be, where it always was.
I skidded to a halt just as it came into view. There, laying on the soft, green, tufted ground it called home, Was the beast.
I could smell it from where I was. By some form of physiology I didn’t understand, it exuded a stench that drove me crazy.
Every plan, every instinct, everything that made me an efficient and deadly hunter, fled from me at that smell.
I charged.
Just as I closed in on the beast it leapt into the air, floating almost, landing a few feet away.
I crouched, staring at it. It began to move slowly, tauntingly, in a slow circle around me.
The smell of it filled me, being this close to it was almost overwhelming.
I waited, knowing it would draw closer. It stopped, I could see the feathers on it twitching.
I knew it would make its move soon.
It charged and I rolled out of the way, almost dancing as it chased me.
I turned at the last moment, opening my fang filled mouth, paws extending, claws unsheathed.
Victory!
I was rewarded as I yanked my nemesis to the ground, I bit, and scratched, whipping my head back and forth as I mauled the thing.
I rolled upon its corpse. The stench of it fills my mind, sending me into a realm of euphoria.
I heard the approval in my master’s voice as I reveled in the kill.
“Good Kitty”
I licked the blood off my paws.
I am a predator.