full
“Antiherd Tendencies” by Bighorn Bill
The forebearers left us roads and blueprints, but our animal instincts remain.
Today’s story is “Antiherd Tendencies” by Bighorn Bill, a student of the natural world.
Read for you by Rob MacWolf — werewolf hitchhiker.
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https://thevoice.dog/episode/antiherd-tendencies-by-bighorn-bill
Transcript
You’re
listening
Speaker:to
Speaker:The
Speaker:Voice
Speaker:of
Speaker:Dog.
Speaker:This
Speaker:is
Speaker:Rob
Speaker:MacWolf,
Speaker:your
Speaker:fellow
Speaker:traveler,
Speaker:and
Speaker:Today’s
Speaker:story
Speaker:is “Antiherd
Speaker:Tendencies”
Speaker:by
Speaker:Bighorn Bill,
Speaker:a
Speaker:student
Speaker:of
Speaker:the
Speaker:natural
Speaker:world.
Please
enjoy
“Antiherd
Tendencies”
Speaker:by
Speaker:Bighorn
Speaker:Bill
Basil
wouldn’t
Speaker:miss
Speaker:Blue
Speaker:Meadow.
Speaker:Sure,
Speaker:there
Speaker:were
Speaker:the
Speaker:common
Speaker:complaints.
Speaker:Expenses,
Speaker:crowding,
Speaker:even
Speaker:claims
Speaker:of
Speaker:a
Speaker:better
Speaker:garden
Speaker:state
Speaker:nearby.
Speaker:Basil’s
Speaker:issues
Speaker:ran
Speaker:deeper
Speaker:than
Speaker:that.
Speaker:The
Speaker:bugle
Speaker:and
Speaker:bustle
Speaker:of
Speaker:stag
Speaker:life
Speaker:could
Speaker:only
Speaker:end
Speaker:in
Speaker:tragedy.
Speaker:He
Speaker:gripped
Speaker:the
Speaker:steering
Speaker:wheel
Speaker:tighter,
Speaker:and
Speaker:upon
Speaker:noticing
Speaker:this,
Speaker:took
Speaker:a
Speaker:breath.
Speaker:Then
Speaker:released.
Speaker:No
Speaker:matter
Speaker:what,
Speaker:this
Speaker:was
Speaker:going
Speaker:to
Speaker:be
Speaker:a
Speaker:good
Speaker:way.
Basil
drove
Speaker:through
Speaker:the
Speaker:mountains,
Speaker:well
Speaker:past
Speaker:the
Speaker:roads
Speaker:anyone
Speaker:bothered
Speaker:to
Speaker:restore
Speaker:or
Speaker:maintain.
Speaker:Oppressive
Speaker:heat
Speaker:enveloped
Speaker:the
Speaker:pickup,
Speaker:kept
Speaker:at
Speaker:bay
Speaker:only
Speaker:by
Speaker:blasting
Speaker:the
Speaker:AC
Speaker:through
Speaker:his
Speaker:fur.
Speaker:These
Speaker:roads
Speaker:teemed
Speaker:with
Speaker:danger.
Speaker:The
Speaker:potholes,
Speaker:the
Speaker:sharp
Speaker:turns,
Speaker:sure, but
Speaker:these
Speaker:were
Speaker:hunter’s
Speaker:roads.
Wolves.
Nomadic
Speaker:packs
Speaker:traveling
Speaker:by
Speaker:hoof or
Speaker:by
Speaker:car.
Speaker:A
Speaker:colleague
Speaker:once
Speaker:called
Speaker:them “teeth
Speaker:on
Speaker:wheels.”
Speaker:Basil
Speaker:found
Speaker:that
Speaker:uncharitable
Speaker:coming
Speaker:from
Speaker:a
Speaker:stag
Speaker:who
Speaker:locked
Speaker:antlers
Speaker:over
Speaker:lost
Speaker:bets.
Speaker:Maybe
Speaker:he’d
Speaker:be
Speaker:humble
Speaker:under
Speaker:the
Speaker:threat
Speaker:of
Speaker:predation.
Speaker:Less
Speaker:deer
Speaker:might
Speaker:mean
Speaker:less
Speaker:conflict.
Speaker:So
Speaker:Basil
Speaker:held
Speaker:no
Speaker:ill
Speaker:will
Speaker:towards
Speaker:the
Speaker:wolves,
Speaker:only
Speaker:hope
Speaker:that
Speaker:they
Speaker:would
Speaker:leave
Speaker:him
Speaker:alone.
Speaker:That’s
Speaker:why
Speaker:he
Speaker:needed
Speaker:to
Speaker:blend
Speaker:in.
He
kept
Speaker:mimicry
simple:simple:
a
simple:tarp
simple:over
simple:boxes
simple:of
simple:supplies.
simple:He
simple:reapplied
simple:scent
simple:killer
simple:every
simple:hour
simple:under
simple:a
simple:bulky
simple:coat
simple:that
simple:hid
simple:his
simple:silhouette.
simple:But
simple:most
simple:drastic
simple:of
simple:all,
simple:his
simple:antlers
simple:were
simple:gone.
Basil
preferred
simple:his
simple:antlers
simple:chopped.
simple:He
simple:didn’t
simple:mind
simple:tugging
simple:his
simple:cap side
simple:to side
simple:to
simple:scratch
simple:the
simple:itchy
simple:stumps.
simple:The
simple:average
simple:buck
simple:wanted
simple:his
simple:horns
simple:as
simple:big
simple:as
simple:possible.
simple:As
simple:impractical
simple:as
simple:possible.
simple:Demanding
simple:a
simple:wide
simple:berth
simple:for
simple:the
simple:sake
simple:of
simple:one’s
simple:own
simple:ego.
simple:Basil’s
simple:grip
simple:tightened
simple:on
simple:the
simple:wheel.
simple:Proving
simple:his
simple:own
simple:staghood
simple:could
simple:never
simple:be
simple:worth
simple:jabbing
simple:others,
simple:bellowing
simple:at the top
simple:of
simple:his
simple:lungs
simple:as
simple:he
simple:slammed
simple:mindless
simple:pairs
simple:of
simple:antlers.
Trees
lined
simple:either
simple:side
simple:of
simple:the
simple:cracked
simple:road.
simple:Boulders
simple:and trees
simple:jutted
simple:out to
simple:the
simple:right.
simple:Castles
simple:with
simple:tall
simple:pillars,
simple:flags
simple:of
simple:the
simple:mountain.
simple:On
simple:occasion,
simple:a
simple:boulder
simple:broke
simple:the
simple:smooth
simple:monotony
simple:of
simple:the
simple:drive.
simple:He
simple:calmly
simple:tilted
simple:the
simple:wheel,
simple:allowing
simple:his
simple:hands
simple:and
simple:the
simple:road
simple:to
simple:guide
simple:the
simple:truck
simple:safely
simple:around.
simple:Boxes
simple:rattled
simple:in
simple:the
simple:truck
simple:bed.
simple:The
simple:rocks
simple:to
simple:either
simple:side
simple:grew
simple:taller.
simple:They
simple:sloped
simple:inwards
simple:and
simple:scattered
simple:rocks
simple:all
simple:over
simple:the
simple:road.
simple:The
simple:holes
simple:and
simple:cracks
simple:were
simple:already
simple:teeth-rattling,
simple:but
simple:this
simple:had
simple:Basil
simple:fearing
simple:for
simple:his
simple:suspension.
simple:His
simple:eyes
simple:swept
simple:over
simple:the
simple:road
simple:and
simple:mapped
simple:out
simple:the
simple:path
simple:least
simple:likely
simple:to
simple:give
simple:him
simple:a
simple:flat
simple:tire.
simple:The
simple:road
simple:calmed,
simple:and
simple:he
simple:pressed
simple:his
simple:hoof
simple:on
simple:the
simple:pedal
simple:even
simple:harder.
Basil’s
eyes
simple:flicked
simple:to
simple:the
simple:rear view
simple:mirror.
simple:They
simple:widened,
simple:then
simple:narrowed.
simple:When
simple:did
simple:that
simple:truck
simple:get
simple:there?
simple:Anxiety
simple:prickled
simple:his
simple:ears,
simple:but
simple:he
simple:willed
simple:them
simple:to a
simple:soothing
simple:resting
simple:position.
simple:He
simple:took
simple:another
simple:look
simple:at
simple:the
simple:mirror.
Floodlights
and
simple:harvested
simple:antlers
simple:crowned
simple:the
simple:roof of
simple:the
simple:truck.
simple:If Basil
simple:didn’t
simple:know
simple:any
simple:better,
simple:he’d
simple:think
simple:it
simple:was
simple:another
simple:stag.
simple:The
simple:olive
simple:paint
simple:job
simple:was
simple:mottled
simple:with
simple:brown
simple:and
simple:red.
simple:Mud
simple:and
simple:blood?
simple:This
simple:could
simple:only
simple:be
simple:a
simple:hunting
simple:car.
simple:Basil
simple:swallowed
simple:hard,
simple:resisting
simple:the
simple:urge
simple:to
simple:pant.
simple:If
simple:he
simple:showed
simple:fear,
simple:they
simple:would
simple:recognize
simple:him
simple:as
simple:prey.
simple:He
simple:eased
simple:on
simple:the
simple:gas.
simple:The
simple:terrain
simple:slowed
simple:the
simple:car
simple:to
simple:a
simple:resting
simple:position
simple:on
simple:the
simple:side
simple:of
simple:the
simple:road.
simple:The
simple:engine
simple:idled.
But
instead
simple:of
simple:passing
simple:him,
simple:the
simple:hunting
simple:party
simple:swerved
simple:and
simple:braked
simple:in
simple:front
simple:of
simple:him.
simple:Out
simple:popped
simple:a
simple:wolf
simple:with
simple:rusty
simple:fur.
simple:She
simple:signaled
simple:to
simple:the
simple:others
simple:in
simple:the
simple:car,
simple:ears
simple:flattened
simple:as
simple:she
simple:approached
simple:her
simple:prey.
simple:Basil’s
simple:muscles
simple:locked
simple:in
simple:place.
simple:His
simple:hooves
simple:melded
simple:to the
simple:steering
simple:wheel. The
simple:wolf slinked
simple:over
simple:to
simple:his
simple:window
simple:and
simple:crouched
simple:as
simple:if
simple:bowing.
simple:Now
simple:her
simple:ears
simple:stood
simple:straight
simple:up.
simple:Yellow
simple:star-thistle.
simple:That’s
simple:all
simple:that
simple:came
simple:to
simple:mind
simple:as
simple:her
simple:eyes
simple:pierced
simple:through
simple:the
simple:glass.
simple:As
simple:a
simple:child,
simple:Basil
simple:would
simple:leave
simple:the
simple:safety
simple:of
simple:his
simple:home
simple:to
simple:get
simple:lost
simple:in
simple:storms.
simple:The
simple:rain
simple:would
simple:sting
simple:his
simple:eyes
simple:and
simple:pour
simple:through
simple:openings
simple:in
simple:his
simple:parka.
simple:Shivering,
simple:he
simple:would
simple:take
simple:in
simple:the
simple:smell
simple:of
simple:ozone
simple:and
simple:soil.
simple:It
simple:wouldn’t
simple:make
simple:a
simple:difference
simple:if
simple:he
simple:slipped
simple:and
simple:broke,
simple:if
simple:chills
simple:clutched
simple:his
simple:body
simple:and
simple:never
simple:let
simple:go,
simple:if
simple:the
simple:rain
simple:irradiated
simple:him.
simple:Golden
simple:lightning
simple:struck
simple:across
simple:the
simple:sky
simple:and
simple:sent
simple:thunder
simple:through
simple:his
simple:eardrums.
“Go.”
Not
a
simple:boom,
simple:nor a
simple:howl.
simple:A
simple:husky
simple:whisper
simple:like
simple:dried
simple:insect
simple:shells.
“Drive,
don’t
simple:let
simple:them
simple:catch
simple:you.”
Shaken
out
simple:of
simple:his
simple:stupor,
simple:Basil’s
simple:instincts
simple:switched
simple:gears.
simple:His
simple:hoof
simple:hit
simple:the
simple:gas
simple:and
simple:the
simple:wolf
simple:lunged
simple:out
simple:of
simple:his
simple:way.
simple:He
simple:swerved
simple:around
simple:their
simple:truck
simple:as
simple:they
simple:howled,
simple:gearing
simple:up
simple:for
simple:the
simple:hunt,
simple:engine
simple:revving.
Basil’s
truck
simple:tugged
simple:the
simple:weight
simple:of
simple:his
simple:cargo
simple:around
simple:the
simple:mountain.
simple:He’d
simple:packed
simple:light
simple:into
simple:more
simple:boxes than he needed. This gave
simple:him
simple:the
simple:illusion
simple:of
simple:a
simple:heavy
simple:load.
simple:If
simple:Basil’s
simple:research was right,
simple:they wanted
simple:to
simple:run
simple:him
simple:down,
simple:not
simple:outpace
simple:him.
simple:Better
simple:for
simple:them
simple:to
simple:underestimate
simple:him.
simple:But
simple:the
simple:weight
simple:wasn’t
simple:nothing.
simple:At
simple:this
simple:height,
simple:the
simple:path
simple:was
simple:full
simple:of
simple:trees
simple:ready
simple:to
simple:batter
simple:his
simple:path.
simple:Taking
simple:the
simple:lead
simple:meant
simple:he’d
simple:probably
simple:hit
simple:a
simple:tree
simple:before
simple:they
simple:did.
Basil
swore
simple:as
simple:he
simple:turned
simple:with his
simple:whole
simple:body.
simple:He
simple:overshot,
simple:the
simple:front
simple:right
simple:collided
simple:with
simple:the
simple:side
simple:of
simple:the
simple:mountain.
simple:He
simple:spun
simple:the
simple:wheel
simple:towards
simple:the
simple:center,
simple:lurching the
simple:car
simple:out
simple:of
simple:a
simple:full
simple:collision.
simple:The
simple:truck
simple:limped,
simple:rising
simple:and
simple:falling
simple:with
simple:each
simple:turn
simple:of
simple:the
simple:front
simple:right
simple:wheel.
simple:Howls
simple:rang
simple:out
simple:as
simple:the wolves descended
simple:on
simple:him.
Basil’s vision
blurred.
simple:He
simple:blinked
simple:it
simple:back
simple:to
simple:sharpness,
simple:eyes
simple:wide
simple:on
simple:the
simple:road.
simple:It
simple:stretched
simple:forward
simple:before
simple:an
simple:abrupt
simple:left
simple:turn
simple:away
simple:from
simple:the
simple:mountain,
simple:followed
simple:by
simple:an
simple:even
simple:sharper
simple:right
simple:turn
simple:away
simple:from
simple:a
simple:cliffside.
simple:With
simple:blood
simple:thumping
simple:louder
simple:and
simple:louder
simple:in
simple:his
simple:ears,
simple:he
simple:pounded
simple:the
simple:gas
simple:to
simple:the
simple:floor.
simple:The
simple:wolves
simple:sped
simple:up
simple:in
simple:turn.
simple:Closer
simple:and
simple:closer
simple:they
simple:gained.
simple:But
simple:at
simple:the
simple:last
simple:second,
simple:Basil
simple:hit a
simple:hard
simple:turn.
simple:Gravity
simple:punched
simple:down on
simple:the
simple:left while he
simple:dashed
simple:to
simple:the
simple:right. The
simple:wolves
simple:hit
simple:his
simple:bumper,
simple:thrashing
simple:the
simple:pickup
simple:and
simple:sending
simple:boxes
simple:tumbling
simple:out.
Cortisol
lingered
simple:in Basil’s
simple:veins
simple:as
simple:he
simple:stabilized
simple:the
simple:car. That
simple:fucking
simple:hat
simple:was
simple:too
simple:tight!
simple:He
simple:snatched
simple:it
simple:off
simple:and
simple:hurled
simple:it
simple:against
simple:the
simple:window.
simple:Without
simple:that distraction,
simple:he
simple:scanned
simple:the
simple:rear
simple:view
simple:mirror
simple:for
simple:the
simple:wolves.
simple:Their
simple:car had
simple:crumpled
simple:around
simple:a
simple:tree.
simple:Its
simple:passengers
simple:spilled
simple:out
simple:and
simple:checked
simple:each
simple:others’
simple:injuries.
simple:The
simple:wolf
simple:with
simple:reddish
simple:fur
simple:and
simple:golden
simple:eyes
simple:staggered
simple:across
simple:the
simple:road,
simple:reaching
simple:out
simple:to
simple:Basil.
simple:She
simple:shrank
simple:in
simple:the
simple:mirror
simple:and
simple:became
simple:a
simple:spot
simple:on
simple:the
simple:horizon.
Tan,
dry
simple:grass
simple:marked the
simple:decorated from
simple:the
simple:mountain
simple:woodland.
simple:Creosote and
simple:sage
simple:decorated
simple:the
simple:desert
simple:and
simple:perfumed
simple:the
simple:air.
simple:Basil
simple:took
simple:a
simple:deep
simple:breath.
simple:It
simple:smelled
simple:freer
simple:than
simple:the
simple:gardens
simple:back
simple:home.
simple:He
simple:patted
simple:the
simple:side
simple:of
simple:his
simple:car
simple:with
simple:a
simple:smile.
simple:This
simple:was
simple:as
simple:good
simple:a
simple:spot
simple:to
simple:stop
simple:as
simple:any.
simple:He’d
simple:driven
simple:it
simple:gently
simple:to
simple:cool
simple:the
simple:oil,
simple:had
simple:little
simple:option
simple:but
simple:to
simple:park
simple:under
simple:the
simple:shade
simple:of
simple:a
simple:mesquite.
With
most
simple:of
simple:his
simple:cargo
simple:gone,
simple:Basil
simple:needed
simple:to
simple:return
simple:to
simple:the
simple:city.
simple:A
simple:shame.
simple:He
simple:was
simple:starting
simple:to
simple:like
simple:it
simple:out
simple:here. He
simple:took a
simple:swig
simple:of
simple:water
simple:and another
simple:deep
simple:breath.
simple:Another
simple:scent
simple:hitched
simple:at
simple:the
simple:back
simple:of
simple:his
simple:throat.
simple:Something
simple:smoky,
simple:oddly
simple:pungent.
It
was
simple:a
simple:wolf.
simple:Not
simple:just
simple:any
simple:wolf,
simple:Basil
simple:suspected
simple:this was a
simple:wolf
simple:from
simple:the
simple:crash.
simple:It
simple:only
simple:smelled
simple:like
simple:one
simple:wolf.
simple:A lone
simple:wolf
simple:was
simple:a
simple:dangerous
simple:thing.
simple:More
simple:prone
simple:to
simple:desperate
simple:action.
simple:Basil
simple:was
simple:a
simple:big
simple:buck,
simple:but
simple:fighting
simple:would
simple:cost
simple:him.
simple:He
simple:opened
simple:the
simple:passenger door
simple:and
simple:rooted
simple:around
simple:for
simple:a
simple:knife.
Soon
his
simple:nose
simple:was
simple:proven
simple:correct.
simple:A lone
simple:wolf
simple:approached
simple:him.
simple:The
simple:wolf
simple:from
simple:earlier,
simple:still
simple:unburdened
simple:by
simple:any
simple:intention
simple:of
simple:stealth.
simple:What
simple:exactly
simple:was
simple:her
simple:goal?
simple:She
simple:left
simple:behind
simple:allies
simple:and
simple:resources
simple:in
simple:a
simple:montane
simple:forest,
simple:marching
simple:herself
simple:on
simple:paw to
simple:the
simple:desert?
Basil
held
simple:the
simple:knife
simple:with
simple:composure.
simple:Looking
simple:upset
simple:would
simple:signal
simple:a
simple:weakness
simple:to
simple:exploit.
simple:He
simple:was
simple:no
simple:expert
simple:on
simple:canine
simple:body
simple:language,
simple:but
simple:it
simple:seemed
simple:like
simple:her
simple:guard
simple:was
simple:down.
About
five
simple:meters
simple:away,
simple:Basil
simple:drew
simple:the
simple:line.
“That’s
enough.”
simple:His
simple:voice
simple:cleared
simple:the
simple:distance
simple:with a
simple:boom. “I’m
simple:armed
simple:and much
simple:larger
simple:than
simple:you. If you
simple:try
simple:to
simple:hunt
simple:me,
simple:I’ll
simple:crush
simple:you.
simple:Even
simple:if
simple:you
simple:kill
simple:me,
simple:you’ll
simple:wish
simple:I
simple:finished
simple:you
simple:off.”
“I
don’t
simple:want
simple:to
simple:kill
simple:you!”
simple:Calm,
simple:well rehearsed
simple:yet
simple:casual. “My
simple:name’s
simple:Marrow.”
Unless
this
simple:was
simple:some
simple:weird
simple:identity-based
simple:ritual,
simple:that
simple:didn’t
simple:sound
simple:like
simple:a
simple:thing
simple:you
simple:told
simple:prey.
“Basil.”
A
simple:pause. “What’s
simple:your
simple:game,
simple:wolf?”
Her
face
simple:lit
simple:up. “A
simple:game?”
Basil
narrowed
simple:his
simple:eyes. “It’s
simple:a
simple:turn
simple:of
simple:phrase.”
No
response, just a
simple:quizzical
simple:stare.
simple:Basil
simple:sighed.
“What
I
simple:meant
was:was:
what
was:do
was:you
was:want?”
She
bit
was:her
was:lip.
was:Seeing
was:her
was:fangs
was:did
was:little
was:to calm
was:Basil’s
was:nerves.
was:He
was:noticed
was:he’d
was:taken
was:a
was:habit
was:of
was:turning
was:his
was:head
was:one
was:way
was:and
was:another
was:to
was:size
was:her
was:up
was:with
was:either
was:eye.
was:Despite
was:a
was:lack
was:of
was:antlers,
was:he
was:lowered
was:his
was:head
was:in
was:a
was:more
was:threatening
was:display.
“Your
antlers.
was:What
was:happened
was:to
was:them?
was:I
was:want
was:to
was:know.”
Basil
passed
was:the
was:knife
was:between
was:his
was:hands
was:to
was:make
was:it
was:clear
was:that
was:antlers
was:or no,
was:he
was:still had
was:an
was:arsenal. “I
was:did
was:it
was:myself.”
“Why?”
“Because
I’m
was:just
was:as
was:effective
was:without
was:them.”
was:A truth,
was:and a veiled threat. “Prolly moreso.”
“Effective at
what?
was:Sufficient
was:how?”
She
took
was:a
was:step
was:closer, and
was:Basil
was:gave
was:her
was:a
was:hard
was:glare.
was:She
was:took
was:a
was:shrinking
was:step
was:back,
was:then
was:another.
“I
can
was:drive
was:with
was:a
was:closed
was:roof.
was:I
was:can
was:lay
was:my
was:head
was:down
was:to
was:rest.
was:I
was:have
was:less
was:leverage
was:to
was:grab
was:onto.
was:Take
was:your
was:pick.
was:I’ve
was:worked a
was:million
was:jobs,
was:none
was:of
was:which
was:have
was:ever
was:required
was:me
was:to
was:have
was:antlers.”
Marrow
lit
was:up. “You
was:defy
was:the
was:superfluity
was:of
was:your
was:anatomy?”
Basil
blinked
was:in
was:surprise. “That’s…
was:succinct.”
“I’ve
just
was:been…
was:so
was:curious.
was:Deer
was:have
was:such
was:freedom
was:from
was:constant
was:living.”
“Constant
living?”
“Survival,
Basil.”
was:Marrow
was:furrowed her
was:brow. “It’s
was:exhausting.
was:But
was:your
was:kind
was:tend
was:to
was:act
was:frivolously.”
“Quite
the
was:endorsement.”
“Isn’t
it?
was:You
was:survive
was:in
was:spite
was:of
was:this.
was:How?”
Basil
tapped
was:a hoof
was:against
was:the
was:butt of the
was:knife,
was:letting
was:the
was:sound
was:occupy
was:the
was:latent
was:parts
was:of
was:his
was:mind
was:as
was:he
was:thought.
“Might I
guess?”
“You
don’t
was:need my permission.” On second thought… “-to guess. You don’t need
was:my
was:permission
was:to
was:guess.”
“There
are
was:more
was:deer
was:than
was:wolves,”
was:she
was:started. “In
was:my
was:pack,
was:everyone
was:has
was:to
was:contribute
was:immediately
was:to
was:the
was:wellbeing
was:of
was:the
was:group.
was:Failure
was:jeopardizes
was:our
was:survival.
was:But
was:there
was:are
was:so
was:many
was:deer.
was:You
was:create
was:redundancies
was:in
was:your
was:roles
was:and
was:thrive
was:past
was:the
was:cost
was:of
was:sufficiency.”
Basil’s
arm
was:went
was:slack.
was:He
was:held
was:on to
was:the
was:knife,
was:but
was:barely.
“I
think
was:you’re
was:right.”
The
wolf
was:grinned,
was:not
was:caring
was:how
was:many
was:fangs
was:she
was:showed. “I’m
was:right?”
“Yes.”
Basil
was:stared
was:into
was:the
was:blade. “There
was:are
was:many,
was:many
was:stags,
was:many
was:does.
was:Making
was:tons
was:of
was:fawns,
was:who
was:grow
was:and
was:start
was:the
was:cycle
was:over.
was:Our
was:mouths
was:get
was:hungrier,
was:so
was:we
was:strip
was:the
was:land
was:bare,
was:then
was:we
was:move
was:on.
was:We
was:extract
was:to
was:sustain
was:our
was:populations,
was:which
was:guard
was:us
was:from
was:wolves.
was:But
was:still,
was:some
was:infiltrate
was:our
was:cities.
was:I’ve
was:seen
was:it.
was:I
was:don’t…
was:mind
was:it.”
He
gripped
was:the
was:knife
was:and
was:looked
was:up.
was:Talking
was:like
was:this
was:freed
was:some
was:poison
was:from
was:his
was:lungs,
was:but
was:he
was:had
was:to
was:be
was:careful.
“So
I
was:don’t
was:mind
was:the
was:hunt.
was:I
was:just
was:need
was:you
was:to
was:let
was:me
was:live.”
“Your
kind
was:do
was:many
was:things
was:that
was:don’t
was:benefit
was:them.”
was:Marrow
was:swallowed
was:with a
was:rough
was:throat. “And
was:that’s
was:a
was:beautiful
was:thing.
was:You
was:collaborate.
was:You
was:live
was:beyond
was:survival.”
Basil
clutched
was:the
was:knife
was:in
was:both
was:hooves. “For
was:the
was:sake
was:of
was:comfort.
was:For
was:our
was:self interest.
was:We’re
was:frivolous
was:people.
was:We
was:take
was:more
was:than
was:we
was:need,
was:but
was:we don’t
was:care.
was:We’re sated as long as
was:we
was:can
was:fight,
was:feed,
was:and
was:fuck”
With
the
was:twitch
was:of
was:a
was:brow,
was:Marrow
was:drank
was:in
was:his
was:words.
was:The
was:wind
was:shifted,
was:carrying
was:the
was:spice
was:and bitters
was:of
was:sagebrush
was:and
was:the
was:heat
was:of
was:desert
was:air.
“Why
did
was:you
was:follow
was:me?
was:If
was:you’re
was:not
was:going
was:to
was:eat
was:me,
was:why?”
Marrow licked
across
was:her
was:snout
was:and
was:lowered
was:her
was:head.
“...
I
was:scout.”
The
words
was:hung
was:in
was:the
was:dry
was:air.
“Meaning…?”
prompted
was:Basil.
was:He
was:mentally
was:ran
was:through
was:inventory.
was:If
was:the
was:others
was:caught
was:up,
was:he
was:was
was:doomed.
“That’s
my
was:role.
was:I
was:gather
was:information,
was:and
was:I
was:relay
was:it.”
Basil
could
was:swear
was:an
was:edge
was:of
was:discomfort
was:crept
was:into
was:her
was:voice.
“I
assist
was:the
was:hunt.”
“So
you’ve
was:never
was:killed
was:a
was:deer?”
Any
trace
was:of
was:excitement
was:left
was:her
was:posture.
was:A
was:wolf’s smile
was:registered
was:differently
was:to
was:a
was:deer,
was:something
was:in
was:the
was:spacing
was:of
was:the
was:eyes,
was:the
was:fanged
was:mouth.
was:But
was:the
was:frown? It
was:was
was:unmistakable.
“I
have
was:not
was:killed
was:a
was:deer.”
“I
believe
was:you.”
was:He
was:believed
was:she
was:hadn’t
was:killed
was:anyone
was:directly. “But
was:what
was:do
was:you
was:plan
was:to
was:do
was:with
was:my
was:information?”
Marrow
paused.
was:The
was:frown
was:remained,
was:but her
was:slumped
was:posture
was:shifted
was:upwards.
was:She
was:looked
was:Basil in
was:the
was:eyes,
was:and
was:he
was:had
was:to
was:fight
was:not
was:to
was:freeze.
was:Damn
was:instinct.
“I
would
was:like
was:to
was:propose
was:an
was:alliance.”
Basil leaned
back.
was:It
was:was
was:as
was:if
was:the
was:terrain
was:shifted
was:and
was:threw
was:him
was:off
was:balance.
“What
kind?”
“I
want
was:to
was:learn
was:from
was:you.
was:I
was:want
was:to
was:reach a
was:deer
was:settlement.”
Basil
laughed.
was:Not
was:a
was:chuckle,
was:a
was:full-bellied
was:laugh.
“I’m
about
was:the
was:worst
was:person
was:to
was:teach
was:you
was:how
was:to
was:fit
was:in. Believe me, you
was:are
was:gonna
was:be
was:fighting
was:an uphill
was:battle.”
Marrow
closed
was:the
was:gap
was:between
was:them
was:by
was:a
was:few
was:meters.
“I’m
not
was:going
was:back
was:to
was:the
was:pack.”
Basil
took
was:a
was:step
was:closer.
“Why
not?
was:My
was:ears
was:are
was:open.”
Marrow
looked
was:around,
was:as
was:if
was:they
was:could
was:hear
was:her.
“I
want
was:to
was:continue
was:a
was:pursuit
was:of
was:information
was:without
was:the
was:limitations
was:of
was:a
was:scouting
was:role.
was:I
was:want
was:to
was:learn
was:more
was:about
was:your
was:kind,
was:and
was:your
was:approach
was:to
was:the
was:world.”
Basil
smiled.
“I
think
was:you
was:want
was:even more than
was:that.”
Marrow
sniffed
was:the
was:air
was:and
was:bit
was:her
was:lip.
“I…
want
was:to
was:live
was:beyond
was:subsistence.
was:I
was:want
was:the
was:leisure
was:afforded
was:to
was:deer.
was:I
was:want to
was:advance
was:my
was:priorities
was:beyond
was:balancing
was:caloric
was:intake.”
“Do
wolves
was:not
was:have
was:that?”
She
scoffed.
“I
do
was:not
was:have
was:that.
was:Scouting is
was:a
was:lower
was:priority
was:role.
was:And
was:I
was:do
was:not
was:like
was:the
was:games
was:they
was:play.”
“Yeah,
you
was:can
was:do
was:better.”
“They are
a
was:bunch
was:of
was:bachelors;
was:they
was:are
was:barely
was:a
was:pack!”
Marrow
grinned,
was:the
was:expression
was:far
was:less
was:alien
was:than
was:before.
was:Those daggerlike
was:teeth
was:weren’t
was:a
was:threat;
was:they
was:were
was:a
was:display
was:of
was:joy.
“Maybe
we
was:can
was:make
was:a
was:pit
was:stop in
was:Blue
was:Meadow,”
was:Basil
was:conceded. “I
was:need
was:to
was:gather
was:supplies.
was:Maybe…”
He
tilted
was:his
was:head
was:down
was:and gave
was:her
was:a
was:hard
was:look.
“Stay
here.”
She
obeyed
was:while
was:he
was:hopped
was:in
was:the
was:back
was:of
was:the
was:truck.
was:He
was:wasn’t
was:sure
was:they’d
was:still
was:be
was:here
was:but…
He
opened
was:the
was:tailgate
was:and
was:hopped
was:out.
was:In
was:his
was:arms
was:were a
was:long
was:pair
was:of
was:antlers.
was:Bashfully,
was:he held
was:them out.
“These
might help you
was:blend
was:in while we’re
was:there.
was:No
was:more
was:than
was:a
was:day
was:or
was:two.”
He
glared. “No
was:unsupervised
was:contact
was:with
was:any
was:deer.
was:Try
was:not
was:to
was:let
was:them
was:see
was:you.
was:I
was:don’t
was:want
was:them
was:getting
was:scared
was:and
was:killing
was:you.”
His
gaze
was:softened. “But…
was:I’ll
was:drive
was:slow.
was:You
was:can
was:look
was:around,
was:maybe I’ll
was:ask
was:a
was:question
was:or
was:two
was:on
was:your
was:behalf.”
Marrow
took
was:the
was:antlers
was:and
was:cradled
was:them
was:in
was:her
was:arms.
was:Her
was:face
was:fell
was:still
was:with
was:reverence.
“Why
did
was:you
was:keep
was:these?
was:I
was:thought-”
Basil
grunted
was:disapprovingly.
was:He
was:tossed
was:her
was:a
was:can
was:of
was:scent
was:killer.
was:Marrow
was:dropped
was:the
was:topic.
“I’ll
tell
was:you
was:later.”
Basil
would
was:never
was:miss
was:Blue
was:Meadow.
was:But
was:Marrow
was:couldn’t
was:wait
was:to
was:see
was:it.
This
was “Antiherd
was:Tendencies”
was:by
was:Bighorn
was:Bill,
was:read
was:for you
was:by
was:Rob
was:MacWolf,
was:Werewolf
was:Hitchhiker.
was:You
was:can
was:find
was:more
was:stories
was:on
was:the
was:web
was:at
was:thevoice.dog,
was:or
was:find
was:the
was:show
was:wherever
was:you
was:get
was:your
was:podcasts.
was:Thank
was:you
was:for
was:listening
was:to
was:The
was:Voice
was:of
was:Dog.
