No werewolves here, just a hungry little dragon-thingy.....


The Being




  The being’s intestines churned violently with the lack of food.  Another twisting and the being bent its legs; the black scales of its underbelly hovering just above the snow.  Large spouts of steam escaped from its massive jaws as it panted heavily in pain.  Four muscular legs now felt weak under its weight.   It wavered to the left, drunkenly scrabbling at the ice to stay strong.

    Keeping its balance forced another strong churning of its intestines, longer than before.  It whined loudly in pain, digging black claws into the snow.  The being lowered its head, empty stomach releasing dry heaves of rancid air.  Its long, spine tipped tail jerked in the air, smacking against the trees.

    A bluebird took flight in response.  The being flinched, snapping its reptilian head at the air.  Hissing, it swung its tail in a long arch, trying to strike the bird.  The prey was clipped in the wing; it quickly caught hold and flew higher into the trees.  The being watched the bluebird vanish, a deep hissing dripping from its forked tongue.

    It sniffed the air, cocking its head to each side, and then tipping it to the sky.  The being blinked, nostrils catching a delicious scent that made its insides turn in anticipation.  It growled, taking the scent of fresh meat deep into its nerves.  Crouched low to the ground, it stepped forward; black eyes stared into the sky, deep in thought.

    Moonlight shattered the darkness, spilling over the snow in a sparkling blue sheen.  Only its tail swung in wide, slow arcs; nothing else moved.  The being’s eyes were unblinking, despite the freezing air.  The cold did not bother the being; it was born in a frozen land.  Warmth would be welcomed graciously though.  Few minutes passed in silence, it finally cocked it's head, sniffed the air with hot drags.  Soft crackling disturbed the silence of the frightened forest, the being looked around, heart lurching in a momentary fear.  It was too weak to confront anything head-on, a sneak attack from behind was in order.  One taste of warm flesh would end the weakness, it'll get strong again! 

    Bright lights flashed over it's eyes.  Flinching, tailing swinging wildly, the being leaped into the underbrush.  It willed the prickly leaves to stop quivering, they didn't listen immediately.  Spiky knees bent low, it backed further into the darkness and foliage, but only a few inches.  Lifting each of it's legs at a time, using the wiry young muscles it felt for any branches before stepping gingerly.  Silence, and then a groan.  The being swiveled it's narrow head from side to side.  Prey, much larger than the measly bird was stalking quietly to the left. 

    Tiny razor teeth pulled from their lock as it's long maw opened slightly.  Saliva spilled over it's lower jaw, steam billowed out of irregular holes from the impact, wrapping around the leaves in intricate tendrils.  It lurked behind a thick tree, head tipping to gaze around it through the bushes.  A greenish hue circled the edges of it's vision, brain reflecting the most common color in it's surroundings.  The prey was human, short and bald, he wouldn't be hard to kill.