Nova Peak End Game

The buck Riley trailed proved fitter than he; its scent vanishing up towards the summit. Riley sighed — he was well acquainted with the unspoken adage nothing wounded went uphill. With his paw now scarcely weight bearing, he was in little condition to hunt.

He meandered through a grotto, hoping for carrion or some other easy meal. Somewhere overhead, perhaps on a ledge just out of sight, Riley heard the clatter of stones.

Something had shifted up there. For several beats Riley paused under the overhang, ears straining to pick up any further movement.