Speak.

I trudged on with no care for my tracks or where I went. I knew no retracing would happen unless I hit a dead end. I would never go back. Clearings I'd pick up a trot to get into the shadows quicker but kept on a dirt track leading into the mountains which rose on the horizon.

My stamina could last hours but lessened when the need for food could be felt in my stomach. I began searching for animals but hours went on with nothing in sight.

My ears twitched when sudden gawks erupted behind a tree, "Sent me out for this?! I need a break."

Creeping closer it spoke again, "Drats, my feathers always do this."

A bird, entirely black danced back and forth, waving its feathers around, shaking and twirling. I crawled closer and lifted my haunches ready to pounce.

"What was thaH-" I leaped before he finished and flattened his wings on the ground.

For moments he froze in shock. "Speak," I managed to say the only word that could come to me.

"A- Don't eat me!.. Wait, you're intelligent?" it stuttered out.

"What?"

"Uh-uh, well if you speak the general language they consider us intelligent." His talons relaxing.

"So you think I wouldn't eat you then, and who's they?" I spoke snarling and moving my claws to his neck. I could get some useful information out of this guy and perhaps force him to get me sustainable food, sadly needing force unless he would comply being 'intelligent'.

"Jeez how did you become intelligent, don't even know about humans." His tense body struggling under the weight.

"I do, now if you don't want to be eaten I need food. Where can I find some?"

He breathed out, "I can show you, it's not far just let me go."

I lifted my paw barely and sat beside him looking down, "And then fly away?" I could even make out a chuckle in my voice.

"What! No, it's so interesting to find an intelligent panther here.." Panther... Is that what I am. I never heard of it before. I found many new things in the jungle, just what could I find out here. Perhaps I should be a little more trusting and give it a try.

"And what are you?" I lifted my paw up and sat up, training my eyes on him. "A crow obviously," he shook off the dirt which got pressed into his back feathers.

He hopped along as I trailed him mere centimeters away. I watched as he regained his strength and ushered him on to hurry up, "Lead the way."

A companion for a bit just the thought eased me.