Big Salmon Lake i imagine death so much, it feels more like a memory

merrick watched The Hunter’s display, full of rage and fire and swearing as he had been during their first meet. ”i don’t think i will,” the boy hummed, stepping back some
paces.
gaze quickly flicked ‘round, gathering stock of his surroundings. the man before him was vengeful, but not foolish, as evidenced by his claw for better ground. and merrick, though a killer, was no warrior. he would be quickly bested by the other, left to bleed out his too-young life at what was arguably its apex.
and so proud merrick refused The Hunter’s haunting, noble offer. ”i found you, a while back,” the boy revealed. ”kaistleoki, on a river. i didn’t know you also had a daughter,” merrick teased. ”such a pretty girl.” 
at any moment he expected the man to explode across the waters toward him; merrick balanced lightly upon his tensing paws.
”so what about it, daddy? shall i give her a taste too?”