The animal couldn't sleep. The restlessness would not leave it. Its blood raced through its veins, hot liquid that threatened to burn it alive. It hadn't fed for too long now and the hunger was spiraling out of control.
It'd tried to make do with substitutes, choosing its prey carefully. The hunters were tracking it. It knew that and knew it had to be careful. But its mouth salivated for the taste of human flesh, the cooling sensation of human blood. It wouldn't be able to contain the urge much longer.
It scrabbled in its bedding, pushing things around to try and find a more comfortable place for its body but nothing seemed to help. It closed its eyes and tried to call up the images of its most recent kill. What a tasty meal that had been. And just like always, it'd been able to whisk itself away without leaving a trace. Its scent was so peculiar it wasn't worried about anyone defining it. No, in that area it was safe.