Mixpov

While sharpening its claws against a stone, I decided to speak. After all, I was going to die anyway. There was no reason I couldn’t establish contact with my captor; the worst that could happen was that it would hasten the inevitable.

«Hello, excuse me,» I began cautiously. «Let’s have a chat and pretend that we’ll all be here tomorrow, you know, to calm our nerves. In the end, tough meat doesn’t do anyone any good,» I said with a little more confidence.

Almost instantly, as I finished my sentence and without the claws ceasing their scraping against the rock, my captor spoke without looking me in the eye. «I don’t usually talk to my food, but I suppose you have a point. The truth is, I crave soft meat; it aids my digestion. What do you want to talk about?»

The truth was that there was no way my flesh would be any softer; I was frozen with fear. But in the end, his question was a hint of kindness, and I decided to return the courtesy. I was about to die, but that wasn’t an excuse not to be polite. «Maybe if we start with the basics, I’d like to know how you’re doing,» I said. «Hungry,» he replied with the same sharp reflex as last time. «Of course, but what else? Come on, you’re a natural predator, I can’t imagine how exciting your life is,» this time there was not an immediate response to my comment. Instead, I noticed his expression change; he looked directly into my eyes but was somewhat confused. The claws stopped clashing against the stone.

I closed my eyes, waiting for the swipe. I knew that’s what was coming next. I opened them slowly, and there we were. My captor seemed frozen, but upon realizing that I was watching him, he hurried to respond. «There’s no easy answer to such a simple question, which is why I initially responded with my instinct. A predator’s life is usually very solitary; hunting becomes the only objective. Sometimes, it’s the only thing that fills us with joy and pleasure.»

«And what if you weren’t alone?» I said. «Alone? I’m not alone; now I’m with you, and I have my prey. When I feel hungry or even bored, I do this. This is what makes me feel alive,» he replied with disdain and a little startled.

«I think you’ve lied. Your instincts don’t move you; it’s the adrenaline of hunting. This is your addiction, and you cling to it to avoid facing the idea of being alone. That’s why you don’t question how you’re doing because you only have the hunt, and that’s not enough,» I said, with a confident voice, looking him straight in the eyes.

After a terrifying silence, he lowered his head, and I realized that I had ceased to be the most vulnerable. He slowly raised his huge, sharp claw and pointed to the exit. «Go, get out of here,» he said, unable to look at me again.