Entry #27

Predator
by Jeff Neale


She watches the massive yellow beast as it sits motionless in the darkness. It is a predator, but different from her. It sleeps openly through the night with no need to hide, for it has no natural enemies.

Its presence both angers and frightens her.

Even now, the scent of humans lingers heavily near the beast, for they ride upon its back as it builds its gigantic nest of trees.

With the coming sun the humans will arrive and awaken the beast again. The sky above will darken with clouds of its black foul breath.

It roars in triumph each time its powerful jaws uproot a tree, moving it as effortlessly as she moves a twig in her nest.

She would proudly fight against the destruction of her home, but what weapons has she against such a beast?

She cocks her head and her talons flex on the dark branch beneath her. Her eyes, sharp as a laser, lock in on a slight rustle under the leaves below.

Tonight, while the beast sleeps, she will feed.

Perhaps tomorrow she will take wing high above the shrinking canopy of leaves and search out another place to nest, another place to feed.

It is the way of things, and once more she will adapt. She and her young will thrive. At least for a time. . .until the humans arrive upon another yellow beast.