The Blackmane roared, a sound as loud as the gunshot, as loud as the thunder, a sound so awful that Maribelle had to cover her ears. A sound so awful it could stop a heartbeat. “Wait!” Maribelle sprang to her feet, rushing towards the Blackmane.
Most of the hyenas fled before him, running away through the gnarled tunnels of the acacia trees. But a few, the largest, the bravest, held their ground. These attacked in unison, leaping on the larger Blackmane. He flung one from him, but another replaced it; they tore at his legs, his haunches, his arms. And, one after the next, they died, falling beneath the claws and teeth of the greater beast.
“Look!” Judith pointed. Maribelle turned, saw a pair of headlights topping one of the closer hills. Another pair of predator’s eyes.
“Maribelle!” Judith called after her. The hyenas were gone, the two or three still able limping away, whimpering and trailing blood.
The Blackmane turned. Maribelle froze beneath his gaze.
The headlights turned in their direction. A horn sounded as its headlights spilled over them. More headlights came over the hills. More electric eyes, more hunters. They could hear the rumbling of the engines.
“Wait,” Maribelle said.
The Blackmane fell, almost on top of her. His landed on his face, lifeless, at her feet. His chest rose and shuddered, then relaxed.
“I’m sorry,” Maribelle said, though she knew the creature couldn’t hear her. “I’m so sorry.”
