The creature had made its way to a stream high in the hills. It shifted rocks and lay down to sleep. He let the water clean away his dark blood as he shifted uncomfortably in the night. A daybreak he had debated going up or down stream, and chosen to go down. That would lead him to a river, and rivers had better hunting. Whenever he slipped he howled and growled as he slowly got back to his feet. He did not expect to be followed and forgot about the troubles of yesterday. He thought only of his thirst.


Andrew had been able to see the creature's tracks led to a stream, but as far as Andrew could tell, there they disappeared. It would take a real hunter to follow the creature from there and he stood back and let Angel lead the way. He didn't realize how close they were to the creature mumbling and groaning and sloshing down stream.