(no subject)

[erleich]

the faintest light of dawn is visible
to my left.
as i stare at the fire's coals
i hear a slight noise behind me
a rustle
a slight disturbance
i turn and sit up on my knees to look over the
fallen tree i have been resting against.

i look into the blackness of the deepest
woods. but as my eyes adjust, i see
a shape. a grayness moving only slightly,
as if breathing. or sniffing.
i feel for my lasgun and unhook the catch.
i glance to the ground next to me.
my helmet is there.
a glance back; i can still see the dim shape.
i cannot reach the helmet without turning.
and so i do
i turn and grab my helmet
i put it on and switch to infrared viewing.
and the shape is gone.

the dawn is growning
i switch back to full spectrum
and run a scan
no life signs in the vicinity.

so they do know i am here