THE ONE THING I HAVE 1.2
The scorching savannah sun showed no mercy. The tribe was always on the move and water was scarce. It was his duty to lead the way and warn of possible dangers. He knew that if they continued east they would reach human territory, why they would go there was a mystery to him. He paused and scratched his armpit with the claws of his paw. The fleas were another reason why the other kits stayed away from him. That, and the fact that he was smaller and thinner, even though they shared the same seasons.
"Careful, you might walk into a trap", the one who had been bitten the other night told him and walked away laughing.
It was a possibility; orcs hunted near that area of the savannah, and they used to set traps in the ground. Sometimes holes with spikes covered with leaves, other traps that bit hard when stepped on, or even spikes dipped in the poison of the Eternal Spring frogs. He had seen three of his brothers die this way.
He climbed a hill, and in the distance he saw an oasis that the rain had recently created. Various animals drank from its waters. He licked his lips and thought for a moment of going alone, but then he remembered what had happened to the last one who had been encouraged.
He ran to tell the Matriarchs. The four leaders were moving in the center of the tribe. The elders were in the rear and the warriors in the front. The males were few in number and belonged to the more powerful females. The cubs that were born belonged to the tribe, and once they stopped suckling, they all slept together as if they were a separate herd. The female cubs, on the other hand, belonged to their mothers. They were the only form of property the tribe knew, everything else belonged to everyone. At least that was what the matriarchs said, though in reality the males were more like slaves. Many of her brothers said that if the hyaenids could have cubs without them, they would kill them.
He approached one of the warriors to tell her the good news, but when he tried to speak to her, he could not pronounce the words. It was common for him to be so mute. He looked at the ground beneath his paws in shame.
"Now, little whippersnapper, go explore."
He followed her a few more steps, but when she turned and raised the axe she carried as a weapon, he ran away on all fours, because it was faster that way. He hid behind some stakes they used to pitch tents at nightfall and looked around anxiously.
"Are you all right?"
He was afraid because he hadn't heard them coming. He turned around and noticed that it was a cub, and not just any cub, but the youngest daughter of one of the matriarchs: Kkrya the Toothless. The little girl had big, kind eyes and carried a beautiful silver sword, no doubt the spoils of some legendary battle. She also wore black gauntlets and a left shoulder pad of leather. Then she was naked, like everyone else in the tribe, for modesty was alien to them.
"Are all the male cubs like this? I won't hurt you, I'm not my mother."
She held out her hand. He sniffed it and shyly offered her his. Smelling was the best way to get to know each other.
"Shouldn't you be exploring with the rest of the cubs?", she asked gently.
He lowered his ears and closed his eyes tightly, thinking she would smack him. Instead, she laughed.
"By the Storm godess, you need not fear me. I promise I won't hurt you."
He didn't feel it was a lie. Still crestfallen, he whispered to her:
"Come", he told her.
He took her hand and led her to the top of the hill, avoiding the other warriors.
"Water! You found water!"
She put her hand on his head. He was startled, but when he noticed her scratching it, he wagged his tail in a gesture of affection.
"Let's go!", she encouraged him and started to run.
He wanted to tell her to call the others first, but he didn't have time. He had a hard time catching up. The rest of the animals fled in terror at their presence. This was especially common with the herbivores, who smelled them and were frightened. She unbuckled her belt and put her sword aside before entering. He had nothing but his fleas, so he didn't hesitate to join her. The pup laughed loudly. It wasn't the usual hyaenid laugh, it was more like a melody. It was natural that they were so happy, water was scarce in the savannah, and it was the first time they could bathe like this. After a while he came out and shook himself. She was still playing, trying to catch a toad with her claws.When they returned to the tribe, he noticed a pain he had never felt before, on both sides of his face. It was as if he had used a muscle he didn't know he had.
Seeing them together, six female warriors surrounded them. One of them pushed the matriarch's daugther out of his hand, and another pressed the tip of her spear against his chest. He was so scared that he peed himself.
"Wait, the little one has discovered a water source", the cub interjected as she struggled to free herself and come to his aid.
The warriors looked at each other.
"Why didn't she say anything?"
"Because he is so afraid of you that he cannot even speak! My mother will hear about this."
Hearing these words, the warriors raised their weapons. The female cub showed them the way, and they mobilized the tribe in that direction.
Embarrassed, he walked far in the rear, even behind the elders. As he passed a bush, he heard a crash and the matriarch's daughter emerged. Even more embarrassed, he looked away.
"Are you all right?"
His eyes filled with tears. He still felt the smell of urine between his legs, the sign of a coward.
"Come on, don't worry. They're not as tough as they look. Surely, if you prove yourself, they will leave you alone."
He wasn't sure about that. He wasn't sure about anything. That was the problem. What the cub didn't understand was that if the situation had been reversed, if he had gotten in the way to protect her, he would have been killed for sure. He knew this because he had seen it. And the hunger he felt, and the tears that welled up uncontrollably, and the wetness between his legs, and the fleas, the damn fleas. That was the one thing he'd ever be.