One Morning in the Mountains

          Its head darted up from the grass, eyes scanning the forest around. Still as a statue, its ears perked and twitched. Its antlers caught some of the morning dew, a small twinkle lighting as the sun’s rays caught it through the trees. Its nose twitched a bit. After a long, silent stillness, it bent down and continued to eat.

* * *

          The man had put away his flashlight long ago. He adjusted the straps on his shoulders as he continued on the faint path. The woods threatened to swallow it on all sides, but game protected the small trail from entropy. A long, stray blade of grass was flattened as his boots marched on. He scratched his beard and stole a glance back on the trail, stopping for just a moment. His eyes scanned the sight, arm resting his weight on a tree. A small, gratified smile crept onto his face as he straightened up and continued forward.
          All around, avian melodies seemed to fade into being. A delightful tittering and lolling song swept through the once-silent treetops, and the sun’s rays began to peek over the distant mountains. His hands did not move to his rifle, as they usually did. Instead, they stayed firmly planted on his pack straps, eyes fixed forward. His footsteps fell into a soft beat, but his eyes were always dancing around, his breathing deep and long. With every exhale, a small puff of vapor would escape his lips. And still he smiled, ever wide.

* * *

          Its legs carried it gently to its offspring. They, too, had their heads buried deep into the grass, having their fill. It bleated softly, giving a quick glance to its children before standing at alert. Its ear twitched once more, and it stood suddenly quite still for the second time. Its head made a few careful motions, its nose twitched, and it was back to the grass once more.

* * *

          The man had been walking some time, and the sun had made its full debut just above the mountain peaks. His steps transitioned from heel-toe to a low, silent gait. As the path approached a large clearing, he slunk into the trees. His eyes lit upon a lone deer in the tall grass. The smile disappeared. His hand reached back and grabbed his gun, slowly bringing it into his full grasp. He crouched, and put his eye to the scope. He scanned the magnified horizon until he lit upon the creature. His finger flicked off the safety and dropped to the trigger.

* * *

         Its head stood once more at attention. So, too, did one of its fawns. Both of their ears perked and twitched, their bodies motionless.

* * *

         The man’s scope caught upon a young fawn. His finger was stiff on the trigger. Seconds passed, until a ray of sunlight passed through the trees and set the antlers to glitter with dew. He tensed his shoulder.
          He let out his breath, his finger relaxed, and he flicked the safety on once more. He put the gun slowly back onto his pack. His eyes darted to the two animals, both now back to their meals. And ever silent, the man sat back upon the ground and stared out at the clearing. He did not leave until the deer were long gone.