To Catch a Predator

Feet moving slowly through the thick jungle like terrain... The prey... resting, motionless. Each step gauging the surrounding noise(s), the squeaking beds, distant coughs. One turn, one entry and its cover is blown. But carefully the predator creeps upon its prey and slips past the gatekeeprs.... the protectors of this massive land. A lioness never leaves her cubs behind. She'll go so far as carrying them in her mouth. Leading them to protection, because she knows that others want them. Others will stop at nothing to kill her offspring. However, sometimes a baby cub may wonder off and this is when danger surrounds them like the night falling upon our naked earth. Or... a mother may go out to hunt for her cubs. But she often seeks refuge for their protection before leaving. If not, then the predators will find them deliciously accessible as they'll slaughter each cub one by one... leaving behind a recent past of ... of what the mother should haves done. protect. To catch a predator, his last steps force him out of being easily detected by others. The silhouette, shaped like my mother, my father, my protector. I go. Leaving the protective den, not knowing that my slaughter, my death, the killing of me.... only moments away.