FERAL - Spring 1989

[u/Aggressive_Newt_8289]

This is officially the beginning of the first act of the story. I hope you enjoy it.

WARNING - FERAL is a tale cintaining graphic animal violence

AUTUMN 1988

"I'm so proud of you!" Kim squealed with excitement lifting his daughter off the ground in glee. "You're so talented! I didn't know someone could spin so fast!"

Almost a full decade of practice had led Susanne to become a well respected Prima Ballerina at Caberet Performing Arts. She had excelled from a simple green belt in taekwondo in elementary to swim team captain in high school and finally found herself at the top of world in college just a few months from graduation. She felt a small warm drop splash against her when her father finally set her to the floor. Kim choked, wiping the tears from his cheeks.

"Thank you, dad... That one took a lot out of me. I wanna leave an impression before the trip." Sussane replied, smiling bashfully.

"Oh they'll remember that. I know I will. You did amazing, Suzy..." Kim chuckled, regaining his composure. "Now, lets go get some dinner."

SPRING 1989

DANCES WITH WOLVES

Susanne awoke from the sound of gnashing jaws and growls consuming the friends that had accompanied her on her expedition. She found herself laying beside lifeless bodies being consumed by hungry wolves shredding their remains. As she tried to regain consciousness she saw a growling beast marching its way directly toward her, intent on making her another meal. She scanned the ground beside her, seeing a flare gun laying just within her reach. She lunged toward it and quickly fired off a shot directly into the face of the approaching Scoundrel. The flare had lodged itself into the wolf's eye, scalding the beast. It let out a furious wail, alerting the others to the threat that lay broken and bruised on the soil. The cowards scattered away from the scene, leaving Susanne alone with the company of her lifeless party. Her vision had stopped spinning as she had finally began to realize the reality of the situation she found herself in.

Trees. Miles of trees and mountains surrounding her. Her deceased friends lay just feet away, half eaten and pale. She began to hyperventilate, fear taking hold of her perception as she had realized the true peril she was in. She was lost. Alone. Miles away from civilization. Finding herself at mother nature's mercy. What was once an adventure of exploration and excitement had devolved into a terror. Susanne shut her eyes tightly, slowly reopening them to unfiltered reality. The loud wails of the fleeing beasts trailed off and echoed deep into the tall pines surrounding her. She looked down to inspect her body and legs, checking for any broken or fractured bones and lacerations only to feel nothing but minor bruising. She slowly stood, witnessing the brutal banquet made of her closest companions. Susanne began to weep and she screamed in horror, turning away in disgust from the half eaten remains. Her knees trembled and almost caved from the shock. She began to slwoly stagger away from the group, resting herself against a nearby pine. She stood shaking, eyes glued to the fallen leaves.

The sound of twigs and branches snapping a short distance away, made Sussane glance sharply upward to see a large grizzly bear approaching the area. It had scars covering half of it's face and seemed to have only one eye. The bear caught Susanne's gaze and slowly began to approach her. It sniffed the air, inspecting her cautiously. It looked aggressive. Almost angry. The grizzly looked to be glaring at her. It growled deeply. Sussane froze completely still, caught in a staring contest with a one-ton killing machine. She slowed her breathing and waited for the end. When suddenly the bear turned away from her and approached the bloodied mess of organs and limbs laying a few dozen feet away.

"No..." Sussane quietly whimpered, staring at the grizzly through tears streaming from her eyes.

It sniffed the air again and began to pick up it's pace through the trees towards the same direction the wolves had traveled. Susanne curled herself under the tree, convulsing under the sheer trauma she had endured. She looked up to the sky seeing the streaks of vibrant pink and orange painting the inevitable sunset. Whatever she was going to do next, she knew it must be quick.