A Fresh Start (Solo)

[Lexus]

Fourth of spring, 511 AV Lexus enjoyed the coolness of the air along the mountain side and took a deep breath as he adjusted his pack on his back. It was a luxury to have all of his gear on the back of the wagon throughout the trip. Lexus liked the travel while it lasted, but he was happy to be able to move at his own pace now, and to create a stable life without as much danger. He walked south west of Thunder Bay, going uphill, away from the roads. As he walked, he surveyed the land, looking all over for a somewhat flat area of land, with less dense brush to sleep for the night. After a half an hour of walking uphill, Lexus came to a patch of land where the trees were less dense, the slope of the land was still obvious, but it wasn’t nearly as steep as the surroundings. Placing his pack down, Lexus took out his water skin and drank. From his time on the trail with Travik, he learned that no matter the temperature, it was important to stay hydrated. While he drank, he turned in place, making note of the trees around him, as well as any hints that might tell him of others in the area, or maybe his next meal. Taking the mouth of the water skin away from his mouth, he heard a bird call from behind him. He cautiously turned his head and looked to the trees for movement. He heard the call again, he turned his head more, stretching his neck. Once more the bird called, and Lexus spotted it. It was a small bird, and Lexus didn’t know more than that. He just hoped it would stay around because the call seemed to keep him company in the lonely woods. Lexus bent over and grabbed his one-man tent out of his pack. He assembled it, then rolled out his bed and laid out his possessions, putting his two extra winter blankets under the head of the bed roll. After one last patrol of the area around his tent, and an emptying of his bladder, Lexus went to bed early, preparing for a long first day in Thunder Bay tomorrow. Lexus was startled awake, by what or whom, he did not know. He felt his bed, it was wet with sweat. He wasn’t scared, no, just startled. Better get some fresh air, let my bed dry out. Lexus thought. Lexus left his tent, naked, and tied it shut. He walked around, taking in his new surroundings at night. He made a 50 foot diameter perimeter around his tent. He looked around, listened. He heard an owl hoot, turned until he could see it, then continued on. When he was about to finish his walk, his nostrils flared. Meat! screamed in his head. Lexus morphed. With his heightened smell, he could tell the deer were close. Staying crouched, he stalked around some bushes, weaving beteween few trees. Peering through low leaves, he saw a herd of 8 deer, grazing in the early morning light. He studied them, picking out a medium-large sized one. The biggest would be difficult to take down in a single leap, plus it was further away, one of the younger ones would have been a waste of a life. Lexus twisted between the bushes as silently as he could. Once in position, he brought his hind legs forward a little, and his front paws back. He was ready to pounce, and he did. While in the air, Lexus’ opened his jaw. It landed directly around the spine of the deer. Piercing it’s neck with his fierce canines, the blood dripped out. The deer hit the ground with a thud after all the others had scattered. Lexus landed on top, keeping his hold of the neck, growling at the silent bushes and trees around him. Once he knew the deer’s heart had stopped beating, he released his grip on the neck. Less blood oozed out than would have had he let go sooner. Lexus moved towards the lumbar of the deer, where the meat was a little more tender. He ate his way down the side of the deer until he was full. Not knowing what to do with the rest of the meat, he cursed himself for never learning how to preserve or smoke it. Sitting there, licking his paws, Lexus decided the only logical thing to do was bring it into town, and try to sell it.