The raccoon shifted her head, and sniffed the air. Something dominated her attention. Whatever it was, it had to be some sort of threat.
Maybe another racoon was hiding, waiting to steal her food. Or maybe a predator. He soon learned sa pamamagitan ng her instincted reaction. There was something madami than a canine or owl stalking it.
She winced, and began scurrying. There was a look in her eyes-that seemed to plant into Private's memory. It hooked in.
He had never seen a creature run that fast-that desperate. She raced into the bushes, not glancing behind... or above to the trees.
Private followed behind carelessly. His puso raced, and his adrenaline pumped. Leaves camoflauged him barely. His white feathers were made for blending in with the sun reflecting on the water, not treading around the forest.
His eyelids drooped. She slowed down into a trot. The predator must have found tastier prey.
Out of nowhere, a black creature flew past Private; pushing the raccon into the bushes. The plant was set in motion-jerking movements. Squeals came from behind the bush.
I know. Celeste had just killed that animal. To admit, the raccoon had probably eaten birds. But that didn't justify it. Justice? What am I thinking?! It's not justice it's nature! It's predator and prey........ Private thought. He took a breath, and stepped forward, to the side of the bush.
Celeste ripped into the side of the twitching corpse. With a carnivorous tug she tore a bloody slither of meat. It was a dark red. The raccoon's ribs were completely visible. But then Private saw its body rise and fall. Celeste froze. Then, at lightening speed she swooped her head down, and gashed off the creature's head.
She wolfed it down. How could she be so savage? In seconds, it was gone.
"So, you still think I'm good?" She gulped. Her tone was dry.
"Yes," Private stretched out the word.
"I haven't scared you enough, I guess."
"Try me, I won't leave you." Private into her eyes. He laid his trembling fin on one of her's.
"You should. Any ibong dagat in his or her right mind would stay away." She argued her face sincere with fear.
"I guess, you're not the only one who's not normal." Private chuckled. His mood changed, as he realized how dark his humor was at the moment. She glared at him.
"This isn't a game, Private!" She huffed, and leaned up against a tree.
"I wasn't finished!" Private said, trying to be bold.
"Go ahead," She sighed.
"I can save you from this!"
"Save me?" She scoffed. "But from what?"
"The demon that is unleashed, when you're upset!"
"That demon is part of me, Private!"
"I'm not like that, Rico's not like that, Kowalski's not like that…!"
"I know, what you were about to say. Please, don't."
"I'm not, but penguins aren't like that!"
"Why you should stay-!"
"No, you're a penguin! Can't you see that?!"
Celeste paused. The tension was high.
"Haven't you heard it's what's on the inside that counts?" She smiled.
"I'll be with you every step."
"You better be." She was finally agreeing. Private wrapped his arms around her slender body.
"Try me," Private repeated.
"I'm actually scared..." She almost laughed at herself and in astonishment.
"It's going to be all right." Private whispered. "I never thought that I would be saving two people stronger than me."
"I trust you," she whispered, "but it's myself I'm worried about."
"That predator wasn't you. You know, how I know?"
"Not really,"
"For one thing that, look in your eyes. You didn't have that spark. When I see that in your eyes; and your eyes alone, it is like… nothing else exists."
"That's exactly how I feel about you. Nothing else matters."
"You know what the other reason is?"
"I have no idea."
"That wasn't my Celeste. You weren't the ibong dagat I fell in pag-ibig with." Private whispered, and rested his head on her's.
"I pag-ibig you, Private." She whispered firmly. "Believe me, I do."
"I know," Private smiled, as she fell asleep in his fins. As impossible as it sounds, he forgot the prey and their arguement. Saving her was the only thought in his mind.