Through Different Eyes

I open my eyes a changed being. As I sit up, I can see those subtle shades of colour which had seemed to escape me before - crystal clear before me, as bright as the sun itself - from the immediately obvious greens which predominated the leafy scenery, to the slightly more subtle pinks and blues, which decorated the flowers. I blink my eyes hurting from their vibrance. I then inhale, taking in the crisp air. It made my throat smart, but it refreshed me. I stretch my aching limbs – ones which weren’t mine before, shaking off the stiffness. Slowly, I begin to walk around. At first, I am almost paralysed by the new colour I see in everything - from the dew-covered needles of tall and spindly pines, to the birds, who dart and dive, this way and that - but eventually I adjust to it, and I welcome the new, vibrant world. I silently trot through a hallway of oak, their branches forming a thin roof above my head, seeming to absorb me into the forest and its secrets. I take a deep breath, enjoying the peace. Above, a sudden breeze causes a shower of droplets to cascade, soaking me to the skin, but I just laugh gaily, leaping in my joy. I lean over to some brush, and nibble on a leaf, savouring the rich flavour. It releases a beautiful fragrance, and I stop to smell it. Then I hear a noise - almost inaudible. I spin my head to try and find the source of the sound, but to no avail. Then there was another sound... A sudden snap....

I leap, and slash downwards with outstretched claws, rending my prey in two. With my razor-like canines, I lift it up by its hind legs, examining the measly kill. A young deer lies before me, a bloody mess. Others stalk out of the brush like me, and together we haul the equine out of the clearing, and into the leafy bushes which swamped the lower areas of the trees. The carnage would, no doubt, attract scavengers, so we begin to eat our fill - our grey fur glistening with sweat and blood that is not our own. We rip out chunks of flesh, savouring the rich taste of the young creature. We take our fill, then swap places with the rest of the pack who were watching whilst we ate. Silently, we stand - like monuments to nature's glory, the true rulers of the forest. Then, nearby, there is a sound. Not stealthy - loud, metallic. One of the large male’s edges towards the sound, then there is an almighty BANG! Something hits him, leaving only a bloody hole where it hit. I try to run, but more things appear to be hiding in the undergrowth, hampering my escape. Realising escape is futile, I turn to fight, only to feel a cold circle pressed against me. In a strange language not our own, it whispers something strange, sounding menacing. Then I see it tighten one of its thin limbs...