Of a New Concern

Deron dozed for a while in the early morning sun, until the heat rustled him out of his first bit of sleep since the stampede.  Upon waking Deron glanced in Ed’s direction and saw him staring intently still into the distance.  He looked very tense and a little alarmed.

         

“Ed,” Deron’s voice boomed more than he intended, “is something wro…….”

Before Deron could complete his sentence Ed bolted.  Behind him he left a little trail cloud of dust.  Deron, a little startled himself at this reaction, jumped up and headed after Ed yelling.  “ED, WAIT FOR ME!  WHAT’S WRONG!”

         

Ed heard Deron’s cry, stopped, turned and hollered, “COYOTES!!”

         

Deron turned to look over his shoulder and saw to small fury objects moving in the distance.  “Why are we running,” Deron asked, “I’m not afraid of coyotes.”

         

Ed looked at Deron with a look that said ‘Really?’  With that Deron turned to face the approaching coyotes.  Deron took a glance in Ed’s direction, saw that he had moved a few hundred yards further and was watching fearfully what was about to transpire.

         

The coyotes started to yip, bark and growl as they approached.  Deron stood unmoving with a bit of a smirk on his face.  These scrawny coyotes did nothing to put fear in his heart.  He was too large and powerful for them. 

         

The coyotes continued to come closer, intensifying there snarling.  Spittle sprayed from their lips.  Deron continued to stand his ground, smiling ever so slightly.  He let them approach to within feet and then set into a quick burst of activity.  He lowered his head and charged, shaking the ground with his great stomps.  Dust raised in great puffs.  Deron bellowed and frothed foam from his mouth.  The coyotes froze, and then panicked.  They turned hurriedly, almost colliding in their hasty retreat.  Just before they dropped into a draw out of sight the pair of carnivores looked back at Deron and snarled.  Deron could see the hate and hunger in their eyes.  He knew he’d be seeing more of the scoundrels. 

         

Deron turned to yell at Ed that everything was fine.  When he turned he startled.  Once again he was nose to nose with Ed.

         

“That was neat,” stated Ed, “your gonna be a good guy to know Deron the Moose.”

         

“Thanks Ed,” said Deron, “hey, I was wondering, do you know anywhere around here that has some trees and some more water.  I’m not doing that well down here in the flat.  It’s to hot, and I’m always thirsty.”

         

“Nope,” said Ed quite matter-of-factly, “but I think I know who might.  You wanna go and see him?

         

“I sure do Ed, I sure Do,” replied Deron.