Swiftcurrent Creek whispers in the frost

for @Arlette

The snow crunched softly beneath Fenrith’s paws as he moved through the winter-stricken landscape, his slender frame weaving between skeletal trees and frost-coated brush. His breath puffed out in faint, curling wisps, and he exhaled sharply, annoyed at the hollow ache gnawing at his stomach.

He paused, scanning the terrain with sharp brown eyes, ears swiveling for any sound that might hint at movement. A rabbit, a bird, even some frozen berries clinging stubbornly to a bush would do. Anything, really. His gut let out a low, rumbling complaint, and he muttered under his breath, “I’m working on it, alright?”

The terrain ahead dipped into a shallow gully, the snow heavier there, but also softer—easier for small prey to hide. Fenrith’s nose, useless as ever, didn’t help much, so he relied on his eyes and the faintest impressions in the snow.