Chapter 1: Prey
running
through the trees
long
slender
sweaty legs
in big brown hiking boots
heart
pounding
panic
breathing
mind
racing
frightened, focused, excited
eyes simultaneously seeking
paths before
predator behind
wanting
hunting
closer all the time
She cuts left
brown cargos, green shirt
camouflage by GAP
but the backpack
the Yellow Pack
with a Simple Smiley Face
Bright Beacon
in the Darkened Wood
It is this they pursue
not the messenger
still her fate no better
for resisting the Master
She will feel
the Cruel Wrath
should The Hunters catch her
fleeting sounds
tease hope
water over rocks
possible escapes
scroll through the mind
She turns
towards
the liquid promise
running
hoping
desperate for escape
footsteps on branches
voices in the wind
enemies encircling
She grips tight her pack
her tragic salvation
and leaps onto rocks
hoping beyond hope
to throw off the trackers
splash and splatter
louder and louder
vague hope tolls
liquid on stones
break in the trees
a clearing opens
She gasps
a massive
roaring
river
bars her path
to the north
a tumbling crescendo
as the headwaters crash
down
the long
flat
face
of the
towering
cliff
and to the south
the shimmering
serpent
winds
for
days
closer and closer
The Pack on her heels
the crushing of wild life
the manly jeers
She turns north
towards the aquatic cacophony
praying to the gods of Prey
for a miracle way
behind the spray
blindly
She plunges
into the liquid curtain
answering either prayers
or fears
a narrow passage awaits
rocky tunnel
into unknown
cool damp air
clings
centuries of dank
fill her long narrow brown nose
soft hairs of her arms rise
an ancient chill
runs down her spine
She pauses
turns
and peers
back
through the roaring waterfall
drenched dark hair
clinging
to angular face
hazel eyes
reflecting drops of liquid light
full lips curl inwards
to a line
focused on her foes
along the river bank
from out the Darkened Wood
her pursuers appear
5 large
all in blue
shiny gold badges
emblazoned on dry-cleaned navy
polished weapons
glistening in the sunlight
eyes hidden by mirrors
scan the landscape
1, tall and bald, barks at the rest
they scramble about
seeking signs of their prey
eager to please
eager to win
unwilling to await the outcome
She turns to the abyss
breath steaming
heart pounding
mind racing
into the dark dank unknown
She heads
Chapter 2: Predator
alone
amongst the shiny
sits the Lord High
in his throne room prison
digital and black
edged in platinum
polished with money
he views his domain
in high definition
virtual reality
outside the door
minions meet and ponder
the mood of the Master
whom they have failed
so astoundingly
so recently
well conditioned air
humid with fear
grown men
trembling
over the favors
of the money makers
push of a button
double doors swing open
suits scramble for position
the Master beckons
they shuffle in
the jacket and tie yes choir
reports demanded
progress expected
hemms and haws
the only responses
feet shuffling
downward gazes
empty promises
of future
expectations
from the private entrance
another arrives
proud and bold
tall and bald
pressed blue
shiny badge
and a long slender gun
at his side
mirrored glasses
disguise eyes
yet blank gaze
falling upon the herd
makes sordid souls tremble
in the presence
of darkness hidden
murmur murmur murmur
is all they can muster
The Master stands
shakes the newcomer’s hand
it is declared
the Man will hunt
hunt the Girl
the Girl who Betrayed her King
by stealing that
upon which
he built his game
Goals are set
sanguine of purpose
plotted in the tower
hidden from the world
The message and messenger
each to be returned
from whence they came
Property and Ashes
This
The Will
of The Master