A shy doe cautiously approached. She emerged from the protective cover of the forest into the small clearing.  Slowly bent her head down and drank. Her hair was spotted with shadows and light. She was elegant, gentle, and beautiful.

        Her slender body quivered, each nerve ending alive. Then her frame became rigid and head suddenly whipped to the left.

        There was a rustle in the leaves. Soft and distinct in the distance. Something was hiding in the shadows. It sniffed the air, sensing the presence of its prey.

        She stiffened, ready to sprint away. Then everything turned red.

        It pounced out of the darkness, growling and biting.

        From its powerful jaws hung the doe, limp and lifeless. Neck snapped and blood dripping from the jaws.  Staining the ground and brown hair red. A deep red like wine. Thick, its bitter sweet scent filled the air.

         A regal tiger stood amongst the patches of light. Its eyes fierce and golden. The epitome of a hunter. Satisfaction of the kill shone through the glare. Its muscles rippled beneath the fur. The stripes disappeared within the shadows. The orange blended with the sunlight. It was perfectly camouflaged. It became a part of the earth.

        The water ran down the stream. All was quite again. Nothing had changed in the clearing. Nothing but the blood upon the ground and loss of the doe’s life.

        The tiger turned and stalked away. Prey dragging on the ground along with it. Disappearing within the shadows and darkness once again.