Some nightmares don't stay in the dark.

My entry for Aprils monthly special event. Pretty happy with it, considering I didn't have it planned until like Saturday. I had the sketch laying around because I wanted to do a past picture for Lyn and her mom, and then the MSE was about the past so I thought HEY WHY NOT! It took me a while because of my tablet, but I finally finished it.

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Most everyone thinks that nightmares are supposed to happen at night. But some nightmares don’t stay in the dark.

When my nightmare happened, it was day time. The sun was shining and although it was early winter with patches of white scattering the ground from last night’s first snow, the breeze was calm and not bitter at all. It was the perfect day for my siblings and me to have our first hunt. We were all excited; we were deemed ready several months before most of my parents other litters.

Things went incredibly smooth - in the beginning. Those of us first-time hunters were able to contain our excitement for the most part. When it came time to find an elk herd, there was one not 3 miles from the den site. Today was our lucky day.

At least we thought so.

So, we set off and we were creeping up toward the herd in no time at all. The more experienced hunters encircled us and my mother and father led the group. Our formation was perfect as we ambushed the elk. They scattered of course, like prey always did, and we were right on their heels. We all went after an older female, communicating silently through body language to each other.

Like I said, things were going smoothly. But something was off. As my siblings and I chased after the female, breaking her apart from the rest of the heard, I cast a glance behind me. My mother was distracting the bull. It was a smart idea, so that he couldn’t come back and chase us off. But she was alone and facing him head on.

She looked so brave and so fierce, something I wanted to be. I yipped in her direction, cheering her on. She turned to look at me for only a split second, and that’s where everything went wrong.

As she turned to look, it was only maybe 2 seconds, but the bull took the opportunity and struck out with his antlers. My mother was quick though, and she jumped out of the way, but the bull was quicker. Before she could set her front paws back on the ground, he was charging again. And that’s when it happened.

My breath caught and it felt like time slowed down: her body seemed to move so slowly and the elk’s antlers pierced the skin of her chest like a hot knife through butter. The next thing I knew, he had shaken her off and was facing another of the hunters. I had stopped then, staring at the area where my mother had landed. Her fur swayed in the breeze, but she didn’t move at all. All I could see was her side and the redness beginning to form around her.

I didn’t move, I didn’t breath. I couldn’t. My eyes had seen the entire thing but my brain couldn't comprehend it yet. My mother had been stabbed. My mother was severely injured.

My mother was dead.

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Chandra © Me & Quailmix
Aethelynda © MatrixPotato
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