Behind the cage, Si Hon remained frozen long after it left his immediate sight.
His hands were still over his mouth. His chest heaved silently.
(It let me go.)
The realization didn't bring relief.
It made his stomach drop.
(It LET me go.)
That probably made it worse.
He dragged in a shallow breath through his nose.
Why?
(Why didn't it kill me?)
Its teeth were right there. Its claws was close enough to tear through him like a paper.
(Because I'm not the target?)
(Or because it knows I'm weak?)
(No. That didn't make sense. Predators don't spare weakness. They crushed it.)
His throat tightened.
(Then what?)
(Is it bored?)
(Am I an entertainment?)
The thought made something cold slide down his spine.
(Or… does it want something else?)
His pulse thudded painfully in his ears.
(Or— Because it wants to watch?)
His eyes flicked up, wide and unblinking.
Is it watching?
Not hunting?
Not hesitating?
It is watching.
