all for one

Sorry for such a short thread, but it was interesting nonetheless! :)

Elwood held his breath as the beast pivoted; he wondered if it had smelled him, or perhaps if it had heard the sound of leaves rubbing together. He held infinitely still, watching and waiting. If the canine made its way towards him, he would bolt and run for home.

He quickly scratched that thought -- though it was injured, he didn't want to lead it to the caldera. Instead of beelining for the squat mountain, he would attempt to take it on a wild goose chase, zig-zagging across the flatlands. His mind raced as he tried to plot out his plan.

Luckily, the mangled creature soon turned and began to shuffle away, heading north. Slowly, Elwood released the air that had been trapped in his lungs, feeling his heart racing against the cage of his chest. Once he determined that it was safe, he began to pick his way home, moving quietly and cautiously at first before accelerating to a flat-out run.