The smells hit him like a tsunami wave. They were close. Here, maybe, hiding, ready to disembowel him. The soft sound of a growl confirmed his suspicions, and he slammed the journal shut before standing up in a matter of a couple seconds. He backed against the tree, muscles stiffening again, heart pounding, breathing quickening. He dropped the book. "I know you're there!" he said, his voice much more steady than he felt. He knew it was a fine line between acting too aggressive and too submissive, so he tried to stay neutral.