1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,349:
You’re 2 00:00:04,349 --> 00:00:04,860: listening 3 00:00:04,860 --> 00:00:04,980: to 4 00:00:04,980 --> 00:00:05,129: The 5 00:00:05,129 --> 00:00:05,580: Voice 6 00:00:05,580 --> 00:00:05,669: of 7 00:00:05,669 --> 00:00:06,660: Dog. 8 00:00:06,660 --> 00:00:06,870: This 9 00:00:06,870 --> 00:00:06,990: is 10 00:00:06,990 --> 00:00:07,290: Rob 11 00:00:07,290 --> 00:00:07,830: MacWolf, 12 00:00:07,830 --> 00:00:08,070: your 13 00:00:08,070 --> 00:00:08,400: fellow 14 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:09,480: traveler, 15 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:09,630: and 16 00:00:09,630 --> 00:00:09,990: Today’s 17 00:00:09,990 --> 00:00:10,439: story 18 00:00:10,439 --> 00:00:11,927: is “Antiherd 19 00:00:11,927 --> 00:00:12,990: Tendencies” 20 00:00:12,990 --> 00:00:13,169: by 21 00:00:13,169 --> 00:00:14,310: Bighorn Bill, 22 00:00:14,310 --> 00:00:14,400: a 23 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:15,150: student 24 00:00:15,150 --> 00:00:15,300: of 25 00:00:15,300 --> 00:00:15,390: the 26 00:00:15,390 --> 00:00:15,839: natural 27 00:00:15,839 --> 00:00:17,339: world.

Please 28 00:00:17,339 --> 00:00:19,230: enjoy


“Antiherd 29 00:00:19,230 --> 00:00:20,460: Tendencies” 30 00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:20,670: by 31 00:00:20,670 --> 00:00:21,420: Bighorn 32 00:00:21,420 --> 00:00:28,019: Bill


Basil 33 00:00:28,019 --> 00:00:28,260: wouldn’t 34 00:00:28,260 --> 00:00:28,500: miss 35 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:28,679: Blue 36 00:00:28,679 --> 00:00:30,089: Meadow. 37 00:00:30,089 --> 00:00:30,660: Sure, 38 00:00:30,660 --> 00:00:30,780: there 39 00:00:30,780 --> 00:00:30,899: were 40 00:00:30,899 --> 00:00:31,019: the 41 00:00:31,019 --> 00:00:31,350: common 42 00:00:31,350 --> 00:00:32,100: complaints. 43 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:33,210: Expenses, 44 00:00:33,210 --> 00:00:34,469: crowding, 45 00:00:34,469 --> 00:00:34,770: even 46 00:00:34,770 --> 00:00:35,189: claims 47 00:00:35,189 --> 00:00:35,310: of 48 00:00:35,310 --> 00:00:35,369: a 49 00:00:35,369 --> 00:00:35,670: better 50 00:00:35,670 --> 00:00:36,090: garden 51 00:00:36,090 --> 00:00:36,450: state 52 00:00:36,450 --> 00:00:37,590: nearby. 53 00:00:37,590 --> 00:00:38,100: Basil’s 54 00:00:38,100 --> 00:00:38,820: issues 55 00:00:38,820 --> 00:00:39,090: ran 56 00:00:39,090 --> 00:00:39,390: deeper 57 00:00:39,390 --> 00:00:39,570: than 58 00:00:39,570 --> 00:00:41,310: that. 59 00:00:41,310 --> 00:00:41,399: The 60 00:00:41,399 --> 00:00:41,969: bugle 61 00:00:41,969 --> 00:00:42,119: and 62 00:00:42,119 --> 00:00:42,539: bustle 63 00:00:42,539 --> 00:00:42,630: of 64 00:00:42,630 --> 00:00:43,079: stag 65 00:00:43,079 --> 00:00:43,380: life 66 00:00:43,380 --> 00:00:43,530: could 67 00:00:43,530 --> 00:00:43,829: only 68 00:00:43,829 --> 00:00:43,950: end 69 00:00:43,950 --> 00:00:44,100: in 70 00:00:44,100 --> 00:00:45,450: tragedy. 71 00:00:45,450 --> 00:00:45,570: He 72 00:00:45,570 --> 00:00:45,869: gripped 73 00:00:45,869 --> 00:00:45,960: the 74 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:46,289: steering 75 00:00:46,289 --> 00:00:46,500: wheel 76 00:00:46,500 --> 00:00:47,219: tighter, 77 00:00:47,219 --> 00:00:47,369: and 78 00:00:47,369 --> 00:00:47,640: upon 79 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:48,060: noticing 80 00:00:48,060 --> 00:00:48,630: this, 81 00:00:48,630 --> 00:00:48,899: took 82 00:00:48,899 --> 00:00:48,960: a 83 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:49,859: breath. 84 00:00:49,859 --> 00:00:50,039: Then 85 00:00:50,039 --> 00:00:51,509: released. 86 00:00:51,509 --> 00:00:51,750: No 87 00:00:51,750 --> 00:00:52,049: matter 88 00:00:52,049 --> 00:00:52,799: what, 89 00:00:52,799 --> 00:00:53,340: this 90 00:00:53,340 --> 00:00:53,490: was 91 00:00:53,490 --> 00:00:53,759: going 92 00:00:53,759 --> 00:00:53,880: to 93 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:54,060: be 94 00:00:54,060 --> 00:00:54,149: a 95 00:00:54,149 --> 00:00:54,390: good 96 00:00:54,390 --> 00:00:56,520: way.
Basil 97 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:56,821: drove 98 00:00:56,821 --> 00:00:56,939: through 99 00:00:56,939 --> 00:00:57,060: the 100 00:00:57,060 --> 00:00:57,600: mountains, 101 00:00:57,600 --> 00:00:57,810: well 102 00:00:57,810 --> 00:00:58,200: past 103 00:00:58,200 --> 00:00:58,259: the 104 00:00:58,259 --> 00:00:58,560: roads 105 00:00:58,560 --> 00:00:58,859: anyone 106 00:00:58,859 --> 00:00:59,250: bothered 107 00:00:59,250 --> 00:00:59,369: to 108 00:00:59,369 --> 00:01:00,030: restore 109 00:01:00,030 --> 00:01:00,149: or 110 00:01:00,149 --> 00:01:01,439: maintain. 111 00:01:01,439 --> 00:01:01,950: Oppressive 112 00:01:01,950 --> 00:01:02,369: heat 113 00:01:02,369 --> 00:01:02,850: enveloped 114 00:01:02,850 --> 00:01:02,969: the 115 00:01:02,969 --> 00:01:03,329: pickup, 116 00:01:03,329 --> 00:01:03,630: kept 117 00:01:03,630 --> 00:01:03,719: at 118 00:01:03,719 --> 00:01:03,899: bay 119 00:01:03,899 --> 00:01:04,469: only 120 00:01:04,469 --> 00:01:04,650: by 121 00:01:04,650 --> 00:01:05,159: blasting 122 00:01:05,159 --> 00:01:05,280: the 123 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:05,760: AC 124 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:05,939: through 125 00:01:05,939 --> 00:01:06,120: his 126 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:07,290: fur. 127 00:01:07,290 --> 00:01:07,620: These 128 00:01:07,620 --> 00:01:07,950: roads 129 00:01:07,950 --> 00:01:08,219: teemed 130 00:01:08,219 --> 00:01:08,340: with 131 00:01:08,340 --> 00:01:09,329: danger. 132 00:01:09,329 --> 00:01:09,480: The 133 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:10,170: potholes, 134 00:01:10,170 --> 00:01:10,260: the 135 00:01:10,260 --> 00:01:10,560: sharp 136 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:10,890: turns, 137 00:01:10,890 --> 00:01:11,370: sure, but 138 00:01:11,370 --> 00:01:12,329: these 139 00:01:12,329 --> 00:01:12,480: were 140 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:12,930: hunter’s 141 00:01:12,930 --> 00:01:15,659: roads.
Wolves. 142 00:01:15,659 --> 00:01:16,290: Nomadic 143 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:17,010: packs 144 00:01:17,010 --> 00:01:17,489: traveling 145 00:01:17,489 --> 00:01:17,670: by 146 00:01:17,670 --> 00:01:18,000: hoof or 147 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:18,180: by 148 00:01:18,180 --> 00:01:19,109: car. 149 00:01:19,109 --> 00:01:19,230: A 150 00:01:19,230 --> 00:01:19,709: colleague 151 00:01:19,709 --> 00:01:19,950: once 152 00:01:19,950 --> 00:01:20,250: called 153 00:01:20,250 --> 00:01:20,790: them “teeth 154 00:01:20,790 --> 00:01:21,030: on 155 00:01:21,030 --> 00:01:22,950: wheels.” 156 00:01:22,950 --> 00:01:23,340: Basil 157 00:01:23,340 --> 00:01:23,579: found 158 00:01:23,579 --> 00:01:23,849: that 159 00:01:23,849 --> 00:01:24,840: uncharitable 160 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:25,200: coming 161 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:25,379: from 162 00:01:25,379 --> 00:01:25,439: a 163 00:01:25,439 --> 00:01:25,920: stag 164 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:26,040: who 165 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:26,400: locked 166 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:26,790: antlers 167 00:01:26,790 --> 00:01:26,939: over 168 00:01:26,939 --> 00:01:27,329: lost 169 00:01:27,329 --> 00:01:28,620: bets. 170 00:01:28,620 --> 00:01:28,980: Maybe 171 00:01:28,980 --> 00:01:29,240: he’d 172 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:29,370: be 173 00:01:29,370 --> 00:01:29,790: humble 174 00:01:29,790 --> 00:01:29,969: under 175 00:01:29,969 --> 00:01:30,090: the 176 00:01:30,090 --> 00:01:30,359: threat 177 00:01:30,359 --> 00:01:30,450: of 178 00:01:30,450 --> 00:01:31,709: predation. 179 00:01:31,709 --> 00:01:32,069: Less 180 00:01:32,069 --> 00:01:32,250: deer 181 00:01:32,250 --> 00:01:32,459: might 182 00:01:32,459 --> 00:01:32,670: mean 183 00:01:32,670 --> 00:01:32,909: less 184 00:01:32,909 --> 00:01:33,840: conflict. 185 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:34,049: So 186 00:01:34,049 --> 00:01:34,500: Basil 187 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:34,950: held 188 00:01:34,950 --> 00:01:35,250: no 189 00:01:35,250 --> 00:01:35,459: ill 190 00:01:35,459 --> 00:01:35,760: will 191 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:36,090: towards 192 00:01:36,090 --> 00:01:36,180: the 193 00:01:36,180 --> 00:01:36,570: wolves, 194 00:01:36,570 --> 00:01:36,809: only 195 00:01:36,809 --> 00:01:37,260: hope 196 00:01:37,260 --> 00:01:37,409: that 197 00:01:37,409 --> 00:01:37,530: they 198 00:01:37,530 --> 00:01:37,680: would 199 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:37,920: leave 200 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:38,040: him 201 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:39,269: alone. 202 00:01:39,269 --> 00:01:39,359: That’s 203 00:01:39,359 --> 00:01:39,569: why 204 00:01:39,569 --> 00:01:39,689: he 205 00:01:39,689 --> 00:01:40,019: needed 206 00:01:40,019 --> 00:01:40,079: to 207 00:01:40,079 --> 00:01:40,409: blend 208 00:01:40,409 --> 00:01:41,819: in.
He 209 00:01:41,819 --> 00:01:42,090: kept 210 00:01:42,090 --> 00:01:42,510: mimicry 211 00:01:42,510 --> 00:01:43,349: simple: 212 00:01:43,349 --> 00:01:43,439: a 213 00:01:43,439 --> 00:01:43,799: tarp 214 00:01:43,799 --> 00:01:43,980: over 215 00:01:43,980 --> 00:01:44,370: boxes 216 00:01:44,370 --> 00:01:44,430: of 217 00:01:44,430 --> 00:01:45,750: supplies. 218 00:01:45,750 --> 00:01:45,870: He 219 00:01:45,870 --> 00:01:46,439: reapplied 220 00:01:46,439 --> 00:01:46,709: scent 221 00:01:46,709 --> 00:01:47,040: killer 222 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:47,280: every 223 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:47,609: hour 224 00:01:47,609 --> 00:01:47,790: under 225 00:01:47,790 --> 00:01:47,849: a 226 00:01:47,849 --> 00:01:48,239: bulky 227 00:01:48,239 --> 00:01:48,510: coat 228 00:01:48,510 --> 00:01:48,659: that 229 00:01:48,659 --> 00:01:48,787: hid 230 00:01:48,787 --> 00:01:48,895: his 231 00:01:48,895 --> 00:01:50,069: silhouette. 232 00:01:50,069 --> 00:01:50,340: But 233 00:01:50,340 --> 00:01:50,909: most 234 00:01:50,909 --> 00:01:51,359: drastic 235 00:01:51,359 --> 00:01:51,480: of 236 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:51,750: all, 237 00:01:51,750 --> 00:01:51,930: his 238 00:01:51,930 --> 00:01:52,379: antlers 239 00:01:52,379 --> 00:01:52,500: were 240 00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:54,629: gone.
Basil 241 00:01:54,629 --> 00:01:55,109: preferred 242 00:01:55,109 --> 00:01:55,290: his 243 00:01:55,290 --> 00:01:55,650: antlers 244 00:01:55,650 --> 00:01:56,250: chopped. 245 00:01:56,250 --> 00:01:56,370: He 246 00:01:56,370 --> 00:01:56,640: didn’t 247 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:57,090: mind 248 00:01:57,090 --> 00:01:57,450: tugging 249 00:01:57,450 --> 00:01:57,599: his 250 00:01:57,599 --> 00:01:58,140: cap side 251 00:01:58,140 --> 00:01:58,530: to side 252 00:01:58,530 --> 00:01:58,590: to 253 00:01:58,590 --> 00:01:58,950: scratch 254 00:01:58,950 --> 00:01:59,041: the 255 00:01:59,041 --> 00:01:59,280: itchy 256 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:00,269: stumps. 257 00:02:00,269 --> 00:02:00,359: The 258 00:02:00,359 --> 00:02:00,840: average 259 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:01,139: buck 260 00:02:01,139 --> 00:02:01,409: wanted 261 00:02:01,409 --> 00:02:01,530: his 262 00:02:01,530 --> 00:02:01,890: horns 263 00:02:01,890 --> 00:02:02,010: as 264 00:02:02,010 --> 00:02:02,189: big 265 00:02:02,189 --> 00:02:02,310: as 266 00:02:02,310 --> 00:02:03,359: possible. 267 00:02:03,359 --> 00:02:03,689: As 268 00:02:03,689 --> 00:02:04,500: impractical 269 00:02:04,500 --> 00:02:04,590: as 270 00:02:04,590 --> 00:02:05,400: possible. 271 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:06,030: Demanding 272 00:02:06,030 --> 00:02:06,120: a 273 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:06,540: wide 274 00:02:06,540 --> 00:02:07,079: berth 275 00:02:07,079 --> 00:02:07,260: for 276 00:02:07,260 --> 00:02:07,379: the 277 00:02:07,379 --> 00:02:07,650: sake 278 00:02:07,650 --> 00:02:07,769: of 279 00:02:07,769 --> 00:02:08,039: one’s 280 00:02:08,039 --> 00:02:08,189: own 281 00:02:08,189 --> 00:02:09,569: ego. 282 00:02:09,569 --> 00:02:09,990: Basil’s 283 00:02:09,990 --> 00:02:10,229: grip 284 00:02:10,229 --> 00:02:10,590: tightened 285 00:02:10,590 --> 00:02:10,710: on 286 00:02:10,710 --> 00:02:10,800: the 287 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:12,120: wheel. 288 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:12,479: Proving 289 00:02:12,479 --> 00:02:12,599: his 290 00:02:12,599 --> 00:02:12,810: own 291 00:02:12,810 --> 00:02:13,379: staghood 292 00:02:13,379 --> 00:02:13,590: could 293 00:02:13,590 --> 00:02:13,830: never 294 00:02:13,830 --> 00:02:13,949: be 295 00:02:13,949 --> 00:02:14,196: worth 296 00:02:14,196 --> 00:02:14,669: jabbing 297 00:02:14,669 --> 00:02:15,419: others, 298 00:02:15,419 --> 00:02:15,960: bellowing 299 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:16,319: at the top 300 00:02:16,319 --> 00:02:16,439: of 301 00:02:16,439 --> 00:02:16,560: his 302 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:16,860: lungs 303 00:02:16,860 --> 00:02:16,949: as 304 00:02:16,949 --> 00:02:17,039: he 305 00:02:17,039 --> 00:02:17,580: slammed 306 00:02:17,580 --> 00:02:18,150: mindless 307 00:02:18,150 --> 00:02:18,569: pairs 308 00:02:18,569 --> 00:02:18,689: of 309 00:02:18,689 --> 00:02:20,520: antlers.
Trees 310 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:20,789: lined 311 00:02:20,789 --> 00:02:21,000: either 312 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:21,270: side 313 00:02:21,270 --> 00:02:21,330: of 314 00:02:21,330 --> 00:02:21,419: the 315 00:02:21,419 --> 00:02:21,780: cracked 316 00:02:21,780 --> 00:02:22,650: road. 317 00:02:22,650 --> 00:02:23,430: Boulders 318 00:02:23,430 --> 00:02:24,060: and trees 319 00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:24,389: jutted 320 00:02:24,389 --> 00:02:24,570: out to 321 00:02:24,570 --> 00:02:24,689: the 322 00:02:24,689 --> 00:02:25,830: right. 323 00:02:25,830 --> 00:02:26,370: Castles 324 00:02:26,370 --> 00:02:26,520: with 325 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:26,819: tall 326 00:02:26,819 --> 00:02:27,419: pillars, 327 00:02:27,419 --> 00:02:27,840: flags 328 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:27,900: of 329 00:02:27,900 --> 00:02:27,990: the 330 00:02:27,990 --> 00:02:29,370: mountain. 331 00:02:29,370 --> 00:02:29,520: On 332 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:30,060: occasion, 333 00:02:30,060 --> 00:02:30,131: a 334 00:02:30,131 --> 00:02:30,539: boulder 335 00:02:30,539 --> 00:02:30,870: broke 336 00:02:30,870 --> 00:02:30,960: the 337 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:31,409: smooth 338 00:02:31,409 --> 00:02:31,889: monotony 339 00:02:31,889 --> 00:02:31,979: of 340 00:02:31,979 --> 00:02:32,069: the 341 00:02:32,069 --> 00:02:33,030: drive. 342 00:02:33,030 --> 00:02:33,150: He 343 00:02:33,150 --> 00:02:33,599: calmly 344 00:02:33,599 --> 00:02:33,900: tilted 345 00:02:33,900 --> 00:02:34,050: the 346 00:02:34,050 --> 00:02:34,349: wheel, 347 00:02:34,349 --> 00:02:34,770: allowing 348 00:02:34,770 --> 00:02:34,919: his 349 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:35,430: hands 350 00:02:35,430 --> 00:02:35,520: and 351 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:35,610: the 352 00:02:35,610 --> 00:02:35,939: road 353 00:02:35,939 --> 00:02:36,060: to 354 00:02:36,060 --> 00:02:36,360: guide 355 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:36,449: the 356 00:02:36,449 --> 00:02:36,870: truck 357 00:02:36,870 --> 00:02:37,469: safely 358 00:02:37,469 --> 00:02:39,060: around. 359 00:02:39,060 --> 00:02:39,810: Boxes 360 00:02:39,810 --> 00:02:40,259: rattled 361 00:02:40,259 --> 00:02:40,379: in 362 00:02:40,379 --> 00:02:40,469: the 363 00:02:40,469 --> 00:02:40,800: truck 364 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:41,699: bed. 365 00:02:41,699 --> 00:02:41,819: The 366 00:02:41,819 --> 00:02:42,150: rocks 367 00:02:42,150 --> 00:02:42,240: to 368 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:42,509: either 369 00:02:42,509 --> 00:02:42,870: side 370 00:02:42,870 --> 00:02:43,050: grew 371 00:02:43,050 --> 00:02:44,400: taller. 372 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:44,550: They 373 00:02:44,550 --> 00:02:44,939: sloped 374 00:02:44,939 --> 00:02:45,719: inwards 375 00:02:45,719 --> 00:02:45,840: and 376 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:46,259: scattered 377 00:02:46,259 --> 00:02:46,560: rocks 378 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:46,645: all 379 00:02:46,645 --> 00:02:46,860: over 380 00:02:46,860 --> 00:02:46,949: the 381 00:02:46,949 --> 00:02:48,569: road. 382 00:02:48,569 --> 00:02:48,689: The 383 00:02:48,689 --> 00:02:49,169: holes 384 00:02:49,169 --> 00:02:49,289: and 385 00:02:49,289 --> 00:02:49,740: cracks 386 00:02:49,740 --> 00:02:49,770: were 387 00:02:49,770 --> 00:02:50,189: already 388 00:02:50,189 --> 00:02:51,659: teeth-rattling, 389 00:02:51,659 --> 00:02:51,840: but 390 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:52,080: this 391 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:52,289: had 392 00:02:52,289 --> 00:02:52,680: Basil 393 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:53,099: fearing 394 00:02:53,099 --> 00:02:53,250: for 395 00:02:53,250 --> 00:02:53,370: his 396 00:02:53,370 --> 00:02:55,560: suspension. 397 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:55,740: His 398 00:02:55,740 --> 00:02:56,039: eyes 399 00:02:56,039 --> 00:02:56,310: swept 400 00:02:56,310 --> 00:02:56,460: over 401 00:02:56,460 --> 00:02:56,550: the 402 00:02:56,550 --> 00:02:56,849: road 403 00:02:56,849 --> 00:02:56,939: and 404 00:02:56,939 --> 00:02:57,270: mapped 405 00:02:57,270 --> 00:02:57,419: out 406 00:02:57,419 --> 00:02:57,539: the 407 00:02:57,539 --> 00:02:58,050: path 408 00:02:58,050 --> 00:02:58,469: least 409 00:02:58,469 --> 00:02:59,099: likely 410 00:02:59,099 --> 00:02:59,250: to 411 00:02:59,250 --> 00:02:59,460: give 412 00:02:59,460 --> 00:02:59,610: him 413 00:02:59,610 --> 00:02:59,669: a 414 00:02:59,669 --> 00:02:59,969: flat 415 00:02:59,969 --> 00:03:01,229: tire. 416 00:03:01,229 --> 00:03:01,349: The 417 00:03:01,349 --> 00:03:01,590: road 418 00:03:01,590 --> 00:03:02,550: calmed, 419 00:03:02,550 --> 00:03:02,669: and 420 00:03:02,669 --> 00:03:02,759: he 421 00:03:02,759 --> 00:03:03,090: pressed 422 00:03:03,090 --> 00:03:03,210: his 423 00:03:03,210 --> 00:03:03,449: hoof 424 00:03:03,449 --> 00:03:03,569: on 425 00:03:03,569 --> 00:03:03,659: the 426 00:03:03,659 --> 00:03:03,930: pedal 427 00:03:03,930 --> 00:03:04,139: even 428 00:03:04,139 --> 00:03:06,810: harder.
Basil’s 429 00:03:06,810 --> 00:03:07,229: eyes 430 00:03:07,229 --> 00:03:07,500: flicked 431 00:03:07,500 --> 00:03:07,590: to 432 00:03:07,590 --> 00:03:07,710: the 433 00:03:07,710 --> 00:03:08,067: rear view 434 00:03:08,067 --> 00:03:09,180: mirror. 435 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:09,360: They 436 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:09,960: widened, 437 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:10,110: then 438 00:03:10,110 --> 00:03:11,759: narrowed. 439 00:03:11,759 --> 00:03:11,879: When 440 00:03:11,879 --> 00:03:12,030: did 441 00:03:12,030 --> 00:03:12,240: that 442 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:12,539: truck 443 00:03:12,539 --> 00:03:12,810: get 444 00:03:12,810 --> 00:03:14,819: there? 445 00:03:14,819 --> 00:03:15,389: Anxiety 446 00:03:15,389 --> 00:03:15,750: prickled 447 00:03:15,750 --> 00:03:15,900: his 448 00:03:15,900 --> 00:03:16,259: ears, 449 00:03:16,259 --> 00:03:16,379: but 450 00:03:16,379 --> 00:03:16,500: he 451 00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:16,830: willed 452 00:03:16,830 --> 00:03:17,009: them 453 00:03:17,009 --> 00:03:17,219: to a 454 00:03:17,219 --> 00:03:17,669: soothing 455 00:03:17,669 --> 00:03:18,030: resting 456 00:03:18,030 --> 00:03:18,990: position. 457 00:03:18,990 --> 00:03:19,110: He 458 00:03:19,110 --> 00:03:19,319: took 459 00:03:19,319 --> 00:03:19,620: another 460 00:03:19,620 --> 00:03:19,979: look 461 00:03:19,979 --> 00:03:20,099: at 462 00:03:20,099 --> 00:03:20,189: the 463 00:03:20,189 --> 00:03:22,979: mirror.
Floodlights 464 00:03:22,979 --> 00:03:23,159: and 465 00:03:23,159 --> 00:03:23,759: harvested 466 00:03:23,759 --> 00:03:24,300: antlers 467 00:03:24,300 --> 00:03:24,629: crowned 468 00:03:24,629 --> 00:03:24,719: the 469 00:03:24,719 --> 00:03:24,939: roof of 470 00:03:24,939 --> 00:03:25,050: the 471 00:03:25,050 --> 00:03:26,819: truck. 472 00:03:26,819 --> 00:03:27,270: If Basil 473 00:03:27,270 --> 00:03:27,479: didn’t 474 00:03:27,479 --> 00:03:27,629: know 475 00:03:27,629 --> 00:03:27,780: any 476 00:03:27,780 --> 00:03:28,020: better, 477 00:03:28,020 --> 00:03:28,139: he’d 478 00:03:28,139 --> 00:03:28,349: think 479 00:03:28,349 --> 00:03:28,409: it 480 00:03:28,409 --> 00:03:28,530: was 481 00:03:28,530 --> 00:03:28,770: another 482 00:03:28,770 --> 00:03:30,210: stag. 483 00:03:30,210 --> 00:03:30,360: The 484 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:30,719: olive 485 00:03:30,719 --> 00:03:30,960: paint 486 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:31,259: job 487 00:03:31,259 --> 00:03:31,409: was 488 00:03:31,409 --> 00:03:31,800: mottled 489 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:31,949: with 490 00:03:31,949 --> 00:03:32,219: brown 491 00:03:32,219 --> 00:03:32,340: and 492 00:03:32,340 --> 00:03:33,210: red. 493 00:03:33,210 --> 00:03:33,479: Mud 494 00:03:33,479 --> 00:03:33,599: and 495 00:03:33,599 --> 00:03:35,370: blood? 496 00:03:35,370 --> 00:03:35,432: This 497 00:03:35,432 --> 00:03:35,610: could 498 00:03:35,610 --> 00:03:35,789: only 499 00:03:35,789 --> 00:03:35,883: be 500 00:03:35,883 --> 00:03:35,939: a 501 00:03:35,939 --> 00:03:36,330: hunting 502 00:03:36,330 --> 00:03:38,219: car. 503 00:03:38,219 --> 00:03:38,550: Basil 504 00:03:38,550 --> 00:03:38,939: swallowed 505 00:03:38,939 --> 00:03:39,300: hard, 506 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:39,719: resisting 507 00:03:39,719 --> 00:03:39,810: the 508 00:03:39,810 --> 00:03:40,080: urge 509 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:40,229: to 510 00:03:40,229 --> 00:03:41,129: pant. 511 00:03:41,129 --> 00:03:41,280: If 512 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:41,340: he 513 00:03:41,340 --> 00:03:41,610: showed 514 00:03:41,610 --> 00:03:42,599: fear, 515 00:03:42,599 --> 00:03:42,750: they 516 00:03:42,750 --> 00:03:42,930: would 517 00:03:42,930 --> 00:03:43,349: recognize 518 00:03:43,349 --> 00:03:43,469: him 519 00:03:43,469 --> 00:03:43,590: as 520 00:03:43,590 --> 00:03:45,719: prey. 521 00:03:45,719 --> 00:03:45,840: He 522 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:46,259: eased 523 00:03:46,259 --> 00:03:46,379: on 524 00:03:46,379 --> 00:03:46,469: the 525 00:03:46,469 --> 00:03:47,550: gas. 526 00:03:47,550 --> 00:03:47,669: The 527 00:03:47,669 --> 00:03:48,030: terrain 528 00:03:48,030 --> 00:03:48,360: slowed 529 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:48,449: the 530 00:03:48,449 --> 00:03:48,689: car 531 00:03:48,689 --> 00:03:48,810: to 532 00:03:48,810 --> 00:03:48,870: a 533 00:03:48,870 --> 00:03:49,199: resting 534 00:03:49,199 --> 00:03:49,650: position 535 00:03:49,650 --> 00:03:49,800: on 536 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:49,889: the 537 00:03:49,889 --> 00:03:50,159: side 538 00:03:50,159 --> 00:03:50,219: of 539 00:03:50,219 --> 00:03:50,310: the 540 00:03:50,310 --> 00:03:52,860: road. 541 00:03:52,860 --> 00:03:52,979: The 542 00:03:52,979 --> 00:03:53,310: engine 543 00:03:53,310 --> 00:03:56,400: idled.
But 544 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:56,699: instead 545 00:03:56,699 --> 00:03:56,789: of 546 00:03:56,789 --> 00:03:57,180: passing 547 00:03:57,180 --> 00:03:57,330: him, 548 00:03:57,330 --> 00:03:57,419: the 549 00:03:57,419 --> 00:03:57,719: hunting 550 00:03:57,719 --> 00:03:58,020: party 551 00:03:58,020 --> 00:03:58,530: swerved 552 00:03:58,530 --> 00:03:58,650: and 553 00:03:58,650 --> 00:03:58,889: braked 554 00:03:58,889 --> 00:03:58,979: in 555 00:03:58,979 --> 00:03:59,189: front 556 00:03:59,189 --> 00:03:59,250: of 557 00:03:59,250 --> 00:04:00,449: him. 558 00:04:00,449 --> 00:04:00,810: Out 559 00:04:00,810 --> 00:04:01,259: popped 560 00:04:01,259 --> 00:04:01,289: a 561 00:04:01,289 --> 00:04:01,680: wolf 562 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:01,830: with 563 00:04:01,830 --> 00:04:02,250: rusty 564 00:04:02,250 --> 00:04:04,349: fur. 565 00:04:04,349 --> 00:04:04,560: She 566 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:04,979: signaled 567 00:04:04,979 --> 00:04:05,069: to 568 00:04:05,069 --> 00:04:05,159: the 569 00:04:05,159 --> 00:04:05,400: others 570 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:05,520: in 571 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:05,580: the 572 00:04:05,580 --> 00:04:06,120: car, 573 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:06,389: ears 574 00:04:06,389 --> 00:04:06,810: flattened 575 00:04:06,810 --> 00:04:06,869: as 576 00:04:06,869 --> 00:04:07,050: she 577 00:04:07,050 --> 00:04:07,500: approached 578 00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:07,620: her 579 00:04:07,620 --> 00:04:09,150: prey. 580 00:04:09,150 --> 00:04:09,659: Basil’s 581 00:04:09,659 --> 00:04:10,139: muscles 582 00:04:10,139 --> 00:04:10,500: locked 583 00:04:10,500 --> 00:04:10,590: in 584 00:04:10,590 --> 00:04:11,639: place. 585 00:04:11,639 --> 00:04:11,819: His 586 00:04:11,819 --> 00:04:12,150: hooves 587 00:04:12,150 --> 00:04:12,569: melded 588 00:04:12,569 --> 00:04:12,659: to the 589 00:04:12,659 --> 00:04:13,020: steering 590 00:04:13,020 --> 00:04:15,078: wheel. The 591 00:04:15,078 --> 00:04:15,659: wolf slinked 592 00:04:15,659 --> 00:04:15,840: over 593 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:15,960: to 594 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:16,050: his 595 00:04:16,050 --> 00:04:16,350: window 596 00:04:16,350 --> 00:04:16,439: and 597 00:04:16,439 --> 00:04:17,579: crouched 598 00:04:17,579 --> 00:04:17,730: as 599 00:04:17,730 --> 00:04:17,850: if 600 00:04:17,850 --> 00:04:19,170: bowing. 601 00:04:19,170 --> 00:04:19,350: Now 602 00:04:19,350 --> 00:04:19,529: her 603 00:04:19,529 --> 00:04:19,920: ears 604 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:20,189: stood 605 00:04:20,189 --> 00:04:20,579: straight 606 00:04:20,579 --> 00:04:22,500: up. 607 00:04:22,500 --> 00:04:22,889: Yellow 608 00:04:22,889 --> 00:04:24,389: star-thistle. 609 00:04:24,389 --> 00:04:24,660: That’s 610 00:04:24,660 --> 00:04:24,839: all 611 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:24,930: that 612 00:04:24,930 --> 00:04:25,110: came 613 00:04:25,110 --> 00:04:25,199: to 614 00:04:25,199 --> 00:04:25,470: mind 615 00:04:25,470 --> 00:04:25,560: as 616 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:25,680: her 617 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:26,370: eyes 618 00:04:26,370 --> 00:04:26,730: pierced 619 00:04:26,730 --> 00:04:26,819: through 620 00:04:26,819 --> 00:04:26,910: the 621 00:04:26,910 --> 00:04:28,829: glass. 622 00:04:28,829 --> 00:04:28,980: As 623 00:04:28,980 --> 00:04:29,069: a 624 00:04:29,069 --> 00:04:29,519: child, 625 00:04:29,519 --> 00:04:29,850: Basil 626 00:04:29,850 --> 00:04:29,970: would 627 00:04:29,970 --> 00:04:30,180: leave 628 00:04:30,180 --> 00:04:30,269: the 629 00:04:30,269 --> 00:04:30,629: safety 630 00:04:30,629 --> 00:04:30,689: of 631 00:04:30,689 --> 00:04:30,810: his 632 00:04:30,810 --> 00:04:31,019: home 633 00:04:31,019 --> 00:04:31,079: to 634 00:04:31,079 --> 00:04:31,199: get 635 00:04:31,199 --> 00:04:31,589: lost 636 00:04:31,589 --> 00:04:31,709: in 637 00:04:31,709 --> 00:04:32,519: storms. 638 00:04:32,519 --> 00:04:32,639: The 639 00:04:32,639 --> 00:04:33,029: rain 640 00:04:33,029 --> 00:04:33,180: would 641 00:04:33,180 --> 00:04:33,480: sting 642 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:33,629: his 643 00:04:33,629 --> 00:04:33,990: eyes 644 00:04:33,990 --> 00:04:34,110: and 645 00:04:34,110 --> 00:04:34,379: pour 646 00:04:34,379 --> 00:04:34,620: through 647 00:04:34,620 --> 00:04:35,009: openings 648 00:04:35,009 --> 00:04:35,100: in 649 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:35,220: his 650 00:04:35,220 --> 00:04:36,269: parka. 651 00:04:36,269 --> 00:04:37,259: Shivering, 652 00:04:37,259 --> 00:04:37,439: he 653 00:04:37,439 --> 00:04:37,560: would 654 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:37,800: take 655 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:37,889: in 656 00:04:37,889 --> 00:04:38,009: the 657 00:04:38,009 --> 00:04:38,970: smell 658 00:04:38,970 --> 00:04:39,120: of 659 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:39,689: ozone 660 00:04:39,689 --> 00:04:39,810: and 661 00:04:39,810 --> 00:04:41,339: soil. 662 00:04:41,339 --> 00:04:41,459: It 663 00:04:41,459 --> 00:04:41,670: wouldn’t 664 00:04:41,670 --> 00:04:41,850: make 665 00:04:41,850 --> 00:04:41,879: a 666 00:04:41,879 --> 00:04:42,300: difference 667 00:04:42,300 --> 00:04:42,389: if 668 00:04:42,389 --> 00:04:42,449: he 669 00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:42,810: slipped 670 00:04:42,810 --> 00:04:42,899: and 671 00:04:42,899 --> 00:04:43,649: broke, 672 00:04:43,649 --> 00:04:43,800: if 673 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:44,220: chills 674 00:04:44,220 --> 00:04:44,490: clutched 675 00:04:44,490 --> 00:04:44,610: his 676 00:04:44,610 --> 00:04:44,939: body 677 00:04:44,939 --> 00:04:45,029: and 678 00:04:45,029 --> 00:04:45,240: never 679 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:45,420: let 680 00:04:45,420 --> 00:04:46,050: go, 681 00:04:46,050 --> 00:04:46,199: if 682 00:04:46,199 --> 00:04:46,290: the 683 00:04:46,290 --> 00:04:46,649: rain 684 00:04:46,649 --> 00:04:47,339: irradiated 685 00:04:47,339 --> 00:04:48,750: him. 686 00:04:48,750 --> 00:04:49,110: Golden 687 00:04:49,110 --> 00:04:49,529: lightning 688 00:04:49,529 --> 00:04:49,800: struck 689 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:50,069: across 690 00:04:50,069 --> 00:04:50,160: the 691 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:50,759: sky 692 00:04:50,759 --> 00:04:50,910: and 693 00:04:50,910 --> 00:04:51,149: sent 694 00:04:51,149 --> 00:04:51,509: thunder 695 00:04:51,509 --> 00:04:51,689: through 696 00:04:51,689 --> 00:04:51,839: his 697 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:55,500: eardrums.
“Go.”
Not 698 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:55,560: a 699 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:55,829: boom, 700 00:04:55,829 --> 00:04:56,100: nor a 701 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:57,389: howl. 702 00:04:57,389 --> 00:04:57,449: A 703 00:04:57,449 --> 00:04:57,959: husky 704 00:04:57,959 --> 00:04:58,350: whisper 705 00:04:58,350 --> 00:04:58,589: like 706 00:04:58,589 --> 00:04:58,949: dried 707 00:04:58,949 --> 00:04:59,399: insect 708 00:04:59,399 --> 00:05:01,589: shells.
“Drive, 709 00:05:01,589 --> 00:05:01,829: don’t 710 00:05:01,829 --> 00:05:02,009: let 711 00:05:02,009 --> 00:05:02,160: them 712 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:02,519: catch 713 00:05:02,519 --> 00:05:05,550: you.”
Shaken 714 00:05:05,550 --> 00:05:05,699: out 715 00:05:05,699 --> 00:05:05,759: of 716 00:05:05,759 --> 00:05:05,850: his 717 00:05:05,850 --> 00:05:06,240: stupor, 718 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:06,629: Basil’s 719 00:05:06,629 --> 00:05:07,078: instincts 720 00:05:07,078 --> 00:05:07,319: switched 721 00:05:07,319 --> 00:05:07,980: gears. 722 00:05:07,980 --> 00:05:08,160: His 723 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:08,399: hoof 724 00:05:08,399 --> 00:05:08,490: hit 725 00:05:08,490 --> 00:05:08,579: the 726 00:05:08,579 --> 00:05:08,970: gas 727 00:05:08,970 --> 00:05:09,055: and 728 00:05:09,055 --> 00:05:09,120: the 729 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:09,420: wolf 730 00:05:09,420 --> 00:05:09,839: lunged 731 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:09,959: out 732 00:05:09,959 --> 00:05:10,019: of 733 00:05:10,019 --> 00:05:10,110: his 734 00:05:10,110 --> 00:05:11,160: way. 735 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:11,310: He 736 00:05:11,310 --> 00:05:11,730: swerved 737 00:05:11,730 --> 00:05:11,970: around 738 00:05:11,970 --> 00:05:12,102: their 739 00:05:12,102 --> 00:05:12,360: truck 740 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:12,449: as 741 00:05:12,449 --> 00:05:12,569: they 742 00:05:12,569 --> 00:05:13,079: howled, 743 00:05:13,079 --> 00:05:13,379: gearing 744 00:05:13,379 --> 00:05:13,439: up 745 00:05:13,439 --> 00:05:13,560: for 746 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:13,649: the 747 00:05:13,649 --> 00:05:13,949: hunt, 748 00:05:13,949 --> 00:05:14,220: engine 749 00:05:14,220 --> 00:05:15,629: revving.
Basil’s 750 00:05:15,629 --> 00:05:15,959: truck 751 00:05:15,959 --> 00:05:16,350: tugged 752 00:05:16,350 --> 00:05:16,439: the 753 00:05:16,439 --> 00:05:16,649: weight 754 00:05:16,649 --> 00:05:16,740: of 755 00:05:16,740 --> 00:05:16,860: his 756 00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:17,250: cargo 757 00:05:17,250 --> 00:05:17,519: around 758 00:05:17,519 --> 00:05:17,579: the 759 00:05:17,579 --> 00:05:18,180: mountain. 760 00:05:18,180 --> 00:05:18,360: He’d 761 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:18,689: packed 762 00:05:18,689 --> 00:05:19,379: light 763 00:05:19,379 --> 00:05:19,620: into 764 00:05:19,620 --> 00:05:19,769: more 765 00:05:19,769 --> 00:05:22,949: boxes than he needed. This gave 766 00:05:22,949 --> 00:05:23,100: him 767 00:05:23,100 --> 00:05:23,250: the 768 00:05:23,250 --> 00:05:23,790: illusion 769 00:05:23,790 --> 00:05:23,910: of 770 00:05:23,910 --> 00:05:23,970: a 771 00:05:23,970 --> 00:05:24,300: heavy 772 00:05:24,300 --> 00:05:25,259: load. 773 00:05:25,259 --> 00:05:25,500: If 774 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:25,860: Basil’s 775 00:05:25,860 --> 00:05:26,519: research was right, 776 00:05:26,519 --> 00:05:26,910: they wanted 777 00:05:26,910 --> 00:05:26,970: to 778 00:05:26,970 --> 00:05:27,149: run 779 00:05:27,149 --> 00:05:27,300: him 780 00:05:27,300 --> 00:05:27,810: down, 781 00:05:27,810 --> 00:05:28,050: not 782 00:05:28,050 --> 00:05:28,560: outpace 783 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:29,160: him. 784 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:29,430: Better 785 00:05:29,430 --> 00:05:29,519: for 786 00:05:29,519 --> 00:05:29,670: them 787 00:05:29,670 --> 00:05:29,759: to 788 00:05:29,759 --> 00:05:30,420: underestimate 789 00:05:30,420 --> 00:05:31,230: him. 790 00:05:31,230 --> 00:05:31,410: But 791 00:05:31,410 --> 00:05:31,470: the 792 00:05:31,470 --> 00:05:31,649: weight 793 00:05:31,649 --> 00:05:31,889: wasn’t 794 00:05:31,889 --> 00:05:32,639: nothing. 795 00:05:32,639 --> 00:05:32,850: At 796 00:05:32,850 --> 00:05:33,120: this 797 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:33,360: height, 798 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:33,480: the 799 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:33,750: path 800 00:05:33,750 --> 00:05:33,870: was 801 00:05:33,870 --> 00:05:34,050: full 802 00:05:34,050 --> 00:05:34,139: of 803 00:05:34,139 --> 00:05:34,470: trees 804 00:05:34,470 --> 00:05:34,649: ready 805 00:05:34,649 --> 00:05:34,800: to 806 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:35,129: batter 807 00:05:35,129 --> 00:05:35,250: his 808 00:05:35,250 --> 00:05:36,029: path. 809 00:05:36,029 --> 00:05:36,389: Taking 810 00:05:36,389 --> 00:05:36,449: the 811 00:05:36,449 --> 00:05:36,870: lead 812 00:05:36,870 --> 00:05:37,050: meant 813 00:05:37,050 --> 00:05:37,199: he’d 814 00:05:37,199 --> 00:05:37,560: probably 815 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:37,709: hit 816 00:05:37,709 --> 00:05:37,740: a 817 00:05:37,740 --> 00:05:38,009: tree 818 00:05:38,009 --> 00:05:38,339: before 819 00:05:38,339 --> 00:05:38,490: they 820 00:05:38,490 --> 00:05:39,930: did.
Basil 821 00:05:39,930 --> 00:05:40,230: swore 822 00:05:40,230 --> 00:05:40,350: as 823 00:05:40,350 --> 00:05:40,439: he 824 00:05:40,439 --> 00:05:40,740: turned 825 00:05:40,740 --> 00:05:40,889: with his 826 00:05:40,889 --> 00:05:41,100: whole 827 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:42,089: body. 828 00:05:42,089 --> 00:05:42,240: He 829 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:43,110: overshot, 830 00:05:43,110 --> 00:05:43,259: the 831 00:05:43,259 --> 00:05:43,500: front 832 00:05:43,500 --> 00:05:43,740: right 833 00:05:43,740 --> 00:05:44,069: collided 834 00:05:44,069 --> 00:05:44,161: with 835 00:05:44,161 --> 00:05:44,219: the 836 00:05:44,219 --> 00:05:44,430: side 837 00:05:44,430 --> 00:05:44,490: of 838 00:05:44,490 --> 00:05:44,579: the 839 00:05:44,579 --> 00:05:45,629: mountain. 840 00:05:45,629 --> 00:05:45,750: He 841 00:05:45,750 --> 00:05:46,050: spun 842 00:05:46,050 --> 00:05:46,139: the 843 00:05:46,139 --> 00:05:46,319: wheel 844 00:05:46,319 --> 00:05:46,620: towards 845 00:05:46,620 --> 00:05:46,679: the 846 00:05:46,679 --> 00:05:47,100: center, 847 00:05:47,100 --> 00:05:47,550: lurching the 848 00:05:47,550 --> 00:05:47,850: car 849 00:05:47,850 --> 00:05:48,060: out 850 00:05:48,060 --> 00:05:48,149: of 851 00:05:48,149 --> 00:05:48,209: a 852 00:05:48,209 --> 00:05:48,449: full 853 00:05:48,449 --> 00:05:49,290: collision. 854 00:05:49,290 --> 00:05:49,379: The 855 00:05:49,379 --> 00:05:49,649: truck 856 00:05:49,649 --> 00:05:50,189: limped, 857 00:05:50,189 --> 00:05:50,670: rising 858 00:05:50,670 --> 00:05:50,759: and 859 00:05:50,759 --> 00:05:51,089: falling 860 00:05:51,089 --> 00:05:51,209: with 861 00:05:51,209 --> 00:05:51,420: each 862 00:05:51,420 --> 00:05:51,660: turn 863 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:51,720: of 864 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:51,779: the 865 00:05:51,779 --> 00:05:52,050: front 866 00:05:52,050 --> 00:05:52,290: right 867 00:05:52,290 --> 00:05:53,250: wheel. 868 00:05:53,250 --> 00:05:53,639: Howls 869 00:05:53,639 --> 00:05:53,910: rang 870 00:05:53,910 --> 00:05:54,089: out 871 00:05:54,089 --> 00:05:54,181: as 872 00:05:54,181 --> 00:05:54,839: the wolves descended 873 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:54,959: on 874 00:05:54,959 --> 00:05:57,180: him.
Basil’s vision 875 00:05:57,180 --> 00:05:58,050: blurred. 876 00:05:58,050 --> 00:05:58,170: He 877 00:05:58,170 --> 00:05:58,410: blinked 878 00:05:58,410 --> 00:05:58,500: it 879 00:05:58,500 --> 00:05:58,649: back 880 00:05:58,649 --> 00:05:58,740: to 881 00:05:58,740 --> 00:05:59,250: sharpness, 882 00:05:59,250 --> 00:05:59,519: eyes 883 00:05:59,519 --> 00:05:59,699: wide 884 00:05:59,699 --> 00:05:59,790: on 885 00:05:59,790 --> 00:05:59,879: the 886 00:05:59,879 --> 00:06:00,389: road. 887 00:06:00,389 --> 00:06:00,540: It 888 00:06:00,540 --> 00:06:00,839: stretched 889 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:01,199: forward 890 00:06:01,199 --> 00:06:01,410: before 891 00:06:01,410 --> 00:06:01,500: an 892 00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:02,040: abrupt 893 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:02,430: left 894 00:06:02,430 --> 00:06:02,730: turn 895 00:06:02,730 --> 00:06:02,910: away 896 00:06:02,910 --> 00:06:03,089: from 897 00:06:03,089 --> 00:06:03,149: the 898 00:06:03,149 --> 00:06:03,839: mountain, 899 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:04,350: followed 900 00:06:04,350 --> 00:06:04,470: by 901 00:06:04,470 --> 00:06:04,560: an 902 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:04,769: even 903 00:06:04,769 --> 00:06:05,166: sharper 904 00:06:05,166 --> 00:06:05,370: right 905 00:06:05,370 --> 00:06:05,639: turn 906 00:06:05,639 --> 00:06:05,819: away 907 00:06:05,819 --> 00:06:06,000: from 908 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:06,060: a 909 00:06:06,060 --> 00:06:07,680: cliffside. 910 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:07,860: With 911 00:06:07,860 --> 00:06:08,220: blood 912 00:06:08,220 --> 00:06:08,579: thumping 913 00:06:08,579 --> 00:06:09,000: louder 914 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:09,120: and 915 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:09,480: louder 916 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:09,569: in 917 00:06:09,569 --> 00:06:09,720: his 918 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:10,050: ears, 919 00:06:10,050 --> 00:06:10,139: he 920 00:06:10,139 --> 00:06:10,529: pounded 921 00:06:10,529 --> 00:06:10,589: the 922 00:06:10,589 --> 00:06:10,980: gas 923 00:06:10,980 --> 00:06:11,033: to 924 00:06:11,033 --> 00:06:11,100: the 925 00:06:11,100 --> 00:06:12,089: floor. 926 00:06:12,089 --> 00:06:12,209: The 927 00:06:12,209 --> 00:06:12,449: wolves 928 00:06:12,449 --> 00:06:12,689: sped 929 00:06:12,689 --> 00:06:12,839: up 930 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:12,930: in 931 00:06:12,930 --> 00:06:13,620: turn. 932 00:06:13,620 --> 00:06:14,009: Closer 933 00:06:14,009 --> 00:06:14,100: and 934 00:06:14,100 --> 00:06:14,430: closer 935 00:06:14,430 --> 00:06:14,579: they 936 00:06:14,579 --> 00:06:15,449: gained. 937 00:06:15,449 --> 00:06:15,629: But 938 00:06:15,629 --> 00:06:15,724: at 939 00:06:15,724 --> 00:06:15,777: the 940 00:06:15,777 --> 00:06:16,019: last 941 00:06:16,019 --> 00:06:16,410: second, 942 00:06:16,410 --> 00:06:16,769: Basil 943 00:06:16,769 --> 00:06:17,073: hit a 944 00:06:17,073 --> 00:06:17,459: hard 945 00:06:17,459 --> 00:06:18,329: turn. 946 00:06:18,329 --> 00:06:18,839: Gravity 947 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:19,196: punched 948 00:06:19,196 --> 00:06:19,500: down on 949 00:06:19,500 --> 00:06:19,560: the 950 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:20,100: left while he 951 00:06:20,100 --> 00:06:20,363: dashed 952 00:06:20,363 --> 00:06:20,430: to 953 00:06:20,430 --> 00:06:20,519: the 954 00:06:20,519 --> 00:06:22,022: right. The 955 00:06:22,022 --> 00:06:22,470: wolves 956 00:06:22,470 --> 00:06:22,614: hit 957 00:06:22,614 --> 00:06:22,740: his 958 00:06:22,740 --> 00:06:23,699: bumper, 959 00:06:23,699 --> 00:06:24,149: thrashing 960 00:06:24,149 --> 00:06:24,269: the 961 00:06:24,269 --> 00:06:24,779: pickup 962 00:06:24,779 --> 00:06:24,870: and 963 00:06:24,870 --> 00:06:25,170: sending 964 00:06:25,170 --> 00:06:25,649: boxes 965 00:06:25,649 --> 00:06:26,040: tumbling 966 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:28,410: out.
Cortisol 967 00:06:28,410 --> 00:06:28,829: lingered 968 00:06:28,829 --> 00:06:29,220: in Basil’s 969 00:06:29,220 --> 00:06:29,579: veins 970 00:06:29,579 --> 00:06:29,670: as 971 00:06:29,670 --> 00:06:29,759: he 972 00:06:29,759 --> 00:06:30,420: stabilized 973 00:06:30,420 --> 00:06:30,480: the 974 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:31,290: car. That 975 00:06:31,290 --> 00:06:31,649: fucking 976 00:06:31,649 --> 00:06:31,920: hat 977 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:32,040: was 978 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:32,220: too 979 00:06:32,220 --> 00:06:33,149: tight! 980 00:06:33,149 --> 00:06:33,269: He 981 00:06:33,269 --> 00:06:33,630: snatched 982 00:06:33,630 --> 00:06:33,689: it 983 00:06:33,689 --> 00:06:34,170: off 984 00:06:34,170 --> 00:06:34,290: and 985 00:06:34,290 --> 00:06:34,529: hurled 986 00:06:34,529 --> 00:06:34,620: it 987 00:06:34,620 --> 00:06:34,860: against 988 00:06:34,860 --> 00:06:34,920: the 989 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:35,910: window. 990 00:06:35,910 --> 00:06:36,149: Without 991 00:06:36,149 --> 00:06:36,689: that distraction, 992 00:06:36,689 --> 00:06:36,810: he 993 00:06:36,810 --> 00:06:37,259: scanned 994 00:06:37,259 --> 00:06:37,350: the 995 00:06:37,350 --> 00:06:37,560: rear 996 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:37,800: view 997 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:38,069: mirror 998 00:06:38,069 --> 00:06:38,189: for 999 00:06:38,189 --> 00:06:38,279: the 1000 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:39,870: wolves. 1001 00:06:39,870 --> 00:06:40,191: Their 1002 00:06:40,191 --> 00:06:40,410: car had 1003 00:06:40,410 --> 00:06:40,740: crumpled 1004 00:06:40,740 --> 00:06:41,009: around 1005 00:06:41,009 --> 00:06:41,040: a 1006 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,800: tree. 1007 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:44,009: Its 1008 00:06:44,009 --> 00:06:44,634: passengers 1009 00:06:44,634 --> 00:06:45,000: spilled 1010 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:45,149: out 1011 00:06:45,149 --> 00:06:45,240: and 1012 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:45,449: checked 1013 00:06:45,449 --> 00:06:45,569: each 1014 00:06:45,569 --> 00:06:45,810: others’ 1015 00:06:45,810 --> 00:06:47,100: injuries. 1016 00:06:47,100 --> 00:06:47,220: The 1017 00:06:47,220 --> 00:06:47,790: wolf 1018 00:06:47,790 --> 00:06:47,970: with 1019 00:06:47,970 --> 00:06:48,269: reddish 1020 00:06:48,269 --> 00:06:48,480: fur 1021 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:48,569: and 1022 00:06:48,569 --> 00:06:48,870: golden 1023 00:06:48,870 --> 00:06:49,259: eyes 1024 00:06:49,259 --> 00:06:49,649: staggered 1025 00:06:49,649 --> 00:06:49,949: across 1026 00:06:49,949 --> 00:06:50,040: the 1027 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:50,879: road, 1028 00:06:50,879 --> 00:06:51,240: reaching 1029 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:51,389: out 1030 00:06:51,389 --> 00:06:51,480: to 1031 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:52,740: Basil. 1032 00:06:52,740 --> 00:06:52,924: She 1033 00:06:52,924 --> 00:06:53,310: shrank 1034 00:06:53,310 --> 00:06:53,430: in 1035 00:06:53,430 --> 00:06:53,490: the 1036 00:06:53,490 --> 00:06:54,329: mirror 1037 00:06:54,329 --> 00:06:54,480: and 1038 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:54,750: became 1039 00:06:54,750 --> 00:06:54,810: a 1040 00:06:54,810 --> 00:06:55,560: spot 1041 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:55,709: on 1042 00:06:55,709 --> 00:06:55,769: the 1043 00:06:55,769 --> 00:07:00,540: horizon.

Tan, 1044 00:07:00,540 --> 00:07:00,779: dry 1045 00:07:00,779 --> 00:07:01,290: grass 1046 00:07:01,290 --> 00:07:01,709: marked the 1047 00:07:01,709 --> 00:07:02,370: decorated from 1048 00:07:02,370 --> 00:07:02,490: the 1049 00:07:02,490 --> 00:07:02,879: mountain 1050 00:07:02,879 --> 00:07:03,870: woodland. 1051 00:07:03,870 --> 00:07:04,439: Creosote and 1052 00:07:04,439 --> 00:07:04,829: sage 1053 00:07:04,829 --> 00:07:05,310: decorated 1054 00:07:05,310 --> 00:07:05,399: the 1055 00:07:05,399 --> 00:07:05,879: desert 1056 00:07:05,879 --> 00:07:06,029: and 1057 00:07:06,029 --> 00:07:06,569: perfumed 1058 00:07:06,569 --> 00:07:06,689: the 1059 00:07:06,689 --> 00:07:07,560: air. 1060 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:07,889: Basil 1061 00:07:07,889 --> 00:07:08,100: took 1062 00:07:08,100 --> 00:07:08,160: a 1063 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:08,399: deep 1064 00:07:08,399 --> 00:07:09,509: breath. 1065 00:07:09,509 --> 00:07:09,629: It 1066 00:07:09,629 --> 00:07:09,930: smelled 1067 00:07:09,930 --> 00:07:10,230: freer 1068 00:07:10,230 --> 00:07:10,379: than 1069 00:07:10,379 --> 00:07:10,470: the 1070 00:07:10,470 --> 00:07:10,860: gardens 1071 00:07:10,860 --> 00:07:11,100: back 1072 00:07:11,100 --> 00:07:12,360: home. 1073 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:12,420: He 1074 00:07:12,420 --> 00:07:12,750: patted 1075 00:07:12,750 --> 00:07:12,839: the 1076 00:07:12,839 --> 00:07:13,050: side 1077 00:07:13,050 --> 00:07:13,139: of 1078 00:07:13,139 --> 00:07:13,259: his 1079 00:07:13,259 --> 00:07:13,439: car 1080 00:07:13,439 --> 00:07:13,589: with 1081 00:07:13,589 --> 00:07:13,620: a 1082 00:07:13,620 --> 00:07:14,370: smile. 1083 00:07:14,370 --> 00:07:14,670: This 1084 00:07:14,670 --> 00:07:15,000: was 1085 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:15,180: as 1086 00:07:15,180 --> 00:07:15,389: good 1087 00:07:15,389 --> 00:07:15,420: a 1088 00:07:15,420 --> 00:07:15,870: spot 1089 00:07:15,870 --> 00:07:15,930: to 1090 00:07:15,930 --> 00:07:16,350: stop 1091 00:07:16,350 --> 00:07:16,529: as 1092 00:07:16,529 --> 00:07:17,970: any. 1093 00:07:17,970 --> 00:07:18,209: He’d 1094 00:07:18,209 --> 00:07:18,540: driven 1095 00:07:18,540 --> 00:07:18,689: it 1096 00:07:18,689 --> 00:07:19,170: gently 1097 00:07:19,170 --> 00:07:19,319: to 1098 00:07:19,319 --> 00:07:19,680: cool 1099 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:19,800: the 1100 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:20,490: oil, 1101 00:07:20,490 --> 00:07:20,759: had 1102 00:07:20,759 --> 00:07:21,029: little 1103 00:07:21,029 --> 00:07:21,449: option 1104 00:07:21,449 --> 00:07:21,600: but 1105 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:21,689: to 1106 00:07:21,689 --> 00:07:22,050: park 1107 00:07:22,050 --> 00:07:22,230: under 1108 00:07:22,230 --> 00:07:22,319: the 1109 00:07:22,319 --> 00:07:22,649: shade 1110 00:07:22,649 --> 00:07:22,740: of 1111 00:07:22,740 --> 00:07:22,769: a 1112 00:07:22,769 --> 00:07:24,420: mesquite.
With 1113 00:07:24,420 --> 00:07:24,750: most 1114 00:07:24,750 --> 00:07:24,810: of 1115 00:07:24,810 --> 00:07:24,930: his 1116 00:07:24,930 --> 00:07:25,259: cargo 1117 00:07:25,259 --> 00:07:25,589: gone, 1118 00:07:25,589 --> 00:07:25,980: Basil 1119 00:07:25,980 --> 00:07:26,519: needed 1120 00:07:26,519 --> 00:07:26,670: to 1121 00:07:26,670 --> 00:07:27,000: return 1122 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:27,060: to 1123 00:07:27,060 --> 00:07:27,149: the 1124 00:07:27,149 --> 00:07:27,720: city. 1125 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:27,779: A 1126 00:07:27,779 --> 00:07:28,829: shame. 1127 00:07:28,829 --> 00:07:28,920: He 1128 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:29,009: was 1129 00:07:29,009 --> 00:07:29,339: starting 1130 00:07:29,339 --> 00:07:29,399: to 1131 00:07:29,399 --> 00:07:29,610: like 1132 00:07:29,610 --> 00:07:29,699: it 1133 00:07:29,699 --> 00:07:29,850: out 1134 00:07:29,850 --> 00:07:31,290: here. He 1135 00:07:31,290 --> 00:07:31,538: took a 1136 00:07:31,538 --> 00:07:31,800: swig 1137 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:31,920: of 1138 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:32,189: water 1139 00:07:32,189 --> 00:07:32,519: and another 1140 00:07:32,519 --> 00:07:32,790: deep 1141 00:07:32,790 --> 00:07:34,230: breath. 1142 00:07:34,230 --> 00:07:34,589: Another 1143 00:07:34,589 --> 00:07:34,889: scent 1144 00:07:34,889 --> 00:07:35,250: hitched 1145 00:07:35,250 --> 00:07:35,338: at 1146 00:07:35,338 --> 00:07:35,430: the 1147 00:07:35,430 --> 00:07:35,699: back 1148 00:07:35,699 --> 00:07:35,759: of 1149 00:07:35,759 --> 00:07:35,910: his 1150 00:07:35,910 --> 00:07:36,870: throat. 1151 00:07:36,870 --> 00:07:37,230: Something 1152 00:07:37,230 --> 00:07:38,519: smoky, 1153 00:07:38,519 --> 00:07:38,879: oddly 1154 00:07:38,879 --> 00:07:40,740: pungent.
It 1155 00:07:40,740 --> 00:07:40,920: was 1156 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:40,949: a 1157 00:07:40,949 --> 00:07:42,899: wolf. 1158 00:07:42,899 --> 00:07:43,079: Not 1159 00:07:43,079 --> 00:07:43,290: just 1160 00:07:43,290 --> 00:07:43,470: any 1161 00:07:43,470 --> 00:07:43,860: wolf, 1162 00:07:43,860 --> 00:07:44,189: Basil 1163 00:07:44,189 --> 00:07:44,850: suspected 1164 00:07:44,850 --> 00:07:45,178: this was a 1165 00:07:45,178 --> 00:07:45,446: wolf 1166 00:07:45,446 --> 00:07:45,629: from 1167 00:07:45,629 --> 00:07:45,720: the 1168 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:47,160: crash. 1169 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:47,250: It 1170 00:07:47,250 --> 00:07:47,430: only 1171 00:07:47,430 --> 00:07:47,910: smelled 1172 00:07:47,910 --> 00:07:48,089: like 1173 00:07:48,089 --> 00:07:48,329: one 1174 00:07:48,329 --> 00:07:49,019: wolf. 1175 00:07:49,019 --> 00:07:49,410: A lone 1176 00:07:49,410 --> 00:07:49,769: wolf 1177 00:07:49,769 --> 00:07:49,949: was 1178 00:07:49,949 --> 00:07:50,009: a 1179 00:07:50,009 --> 00:07:50,519: dangerous 1180 00:07:50,519 --> 00:07:51,629: thing. 1181 00:07:51,629 --> 00:07:51,930: More 1182 00:07:51,930 --> 00:07:52,290: prone 1183 00:07:52,290 --> 00:07:52,350: to 1184 00:07:52,350 --> 00:07:52,769: desperate 1185 00:07:52,769 --> 00:07:54,089: action. 1186 00:07:54,089 --> 00:07:54,449: Basil 1187 00:07:54,449 --> 00:07:54,629: was 1188 00:07:54,629 --> 00:07:54,689: a 1189 00:07:54,689 --> 00:07:54,899: big 1190 00:07:54,899 --> 00:07:55,230: buck, 1191 00:07:55,230 --> 00:07:55,379: but 1192 00:07:55,379 --> 00:07:55,709: fighting 1193 00:07:55,709 --> 00:07:55,860: would 1194 00:07:55,860 --> 00:07:56,250: cost 1195 00:07:56,250 --> 00:07:57,509: him. 1196 00:07:57,509 --> 00:07:57,660: He 1197 00:07:57,660 --> 00:07:57,899: opened 1198 00:07:57,899 --> 00:07:57,990: the 1199 00:07:57,990 --> 00:07:58,649: passenger door 1200 00:07:58,649 --> 00:07:58,740: and 1201 00:07:58,740 --> 00:07:59,040: rooted 1202 00:07:59,040 --> 00:07:59,310: around 1203 00:07:59,310 --> 00:07:59,437: for 1204 00:07:59,437 --> 00:07:59,490: a 1205 00:07:59,490 --> 00:08:01,740: knife.
Soon 1206 00:08:01,740 --> 00:08:01,889: his 1207 00:08:01,889 --> 00:08:02,279: nose 1208 00:08:02,279 --> 00:08:02,430: was 1209 00:08:02,430 --> 00:08:02,759: proven 1210 00:08:02,759 --> 00:08:03,209: correct. 1211 00:08:03,209 --> 00:08:03,540: A lone 1212 00:08:03,540 --> 00:08:03,750: wolf 1213 00:08:03,750 --> 00:08:04,199: approached 1214 00:08:04,199 --> 00:08:04,560: him. 1215 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:04,680: The 1216 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:05,160: wolf 1217 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:05,399: from 1218 00:08:05,399 --> 00:08:06,509: earlier, 1219 00:08:06,509 --> 00:08:06,810: still 1220 00:08:06,810 --> 00:08:07,230: unburdened 1221 00:08:07,230 --> 00:08:07,379: by 1222 00:08:07,379 --> 00:08:07,560: any 1223 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:08,009: intention 1224 00:08:08,009 --> 00:08:08,069: of 1225 00:08:08,069 --> 00:08:10,620: stealth. 1226 00:08:10,620 --> 00:08:10,800: What 1227 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:11,160: exactly 1228 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:11,310: was 1229 00:08:11,310 --> 00:08:11,399: her 1230 00:08:11,399 --> 00:08:12,600: goal? 1231 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:12,779: She 1232 00:08:12,779 --> 00:08:12,990: left 1233 00:08:12,990 --> 00:08:13,319: behind 1234 00:08:13,319 --> 00:08:13,949: allies 1235 00:08:13,949 --> 00:08:14,100: and 1236 00:08:14,100 --> 00:08:14,850: resources 1237 00:08:14,850 --> 00:08:14,939: in 1238 00:08:14,939 --> 00:08:15,000: a 1239 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:15,480: montane 1240 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:16,259: forest, 1241 00:08:16,259 --> 00:08:16,620: marching 1242 00:08:16,620 --> 00:08:16,980: herself 1243 00:08:16,980 --> 00:08:17,129: on 1244 00:08:17,129 --> 00:08:17,579: paw to 1245 00:08:17,579 --> 00:08:17,699: the 1246 00:08:17,699 --> 00:08:19,859: desert?
Basil 1247 00:08:19,859 --> 00:08:20,040: held 1248 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:20,129: the 1249 00:08:20,129 --> 00:08:20,370: knife 1250 00:08:20,370 --> 00:08:20,490: with 1251 00:08:20,490 --> 00:08:22,050: composure. 1252 00:08:22,050 --> 00:08:22,350: Looking 1253 00:08:22,350 --> 00:08:22,740: upset 1254 00:08:22,740 --> 00:08:22,860: would 1255 00:08:22,860 --> 00:08:23,189: signal 1256 00:08:23,189 --> 00:08:23,279: a 1257 00:08:23,279 --> 00:08:23,670: weakness 1258 00:08:23,670 --> 00:08:23,790: to 1259 00:08:23,790 --> 00:08:25,949: exploit. 1260 00:08:25,949 --> 00:08:26,040: He 1261 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:26,160: was 1262 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:26,339: no 1263 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:26,699: expert 1264 00:08:26,699 --> 00:08:26,819: on 1265 00:08:26,819 --> 00:08:27,149: canine 1266 00:08:27,149 --> 00:08:27,389: body 1267 00:08:27,389 --> 00:08:27,959: language, 1268 00:08:27,959 --> 00:08:28,110: but 1269 00:08:28,110 --> 00:08:28,230: it 1270 00:08:28,230 --> 00:08:28,949: seemed 1271 00:08:28,949 --> 00:08:29,129: like 1272 00:08:29,129 --> 00:08:29,250: her 1273 00:08:29,250 --> 00:08:29,519: guard 1274 00:08:29,519 --> 00:08:29,639: was 1275 00:08:29,639 --> 00:08:31,800: down.
About 1276 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:32,070: five 1277 00:08:32,070 --> 00:08:32,340: meters 1278 00:08:32,340 --> 00:08:32,610: away, 1279 00:08:32,610 --> 00:08:32,909: Basil 1280 00:08:32,909 --> 00:08:33,029: drew 1281 00:08:33,029 --> 00:08:33,149: the 1282 00:08:33,149 --> 00:08:34,710: line.
“That’s 1283 00:08:34,710 --> 00:08:35,909: enough.” 1284 00:08:35,909 --> 00:08:36,029: His 1285 00:08:36,029 --> 00:08:36,360: voice 1286 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:36,629: cleared 1287 00:08:36,629 --> 00:08:36,720: the 1288 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:37,153: distance 1289 00:08:37,153 --> 00:08:37,246: with a 1290 00:08:37,246 --> 00:08:38,580: boom. “I’m 1291 00:08:38,580 --> 00:08:38,940: armed 1292 00:08:38,940 --> 00:08:39,269: and much 1293 00:08:39,269 --> 00:08:39,690: larger 1294 00:08:39,690 --> 00:08:40,470: than 1295 00:08:40,470 --> 00:08:40,559: you. If you 1296 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:40,769: try 1297 00:08:40,769 --> 00:08:40,860: to 1298 00:08:40,860 --> 00:08:41,100: hunt 1299 00:08:41,100 --> 00:08:41,220: me, 1300 00:08:41,220 --> 00:08:41,340: I’ll 1301 00:08:41,340 --> 00:08:41,700: crush 1302 00:08:41,700 --> 00:08:42,720: you. 1303 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:43,049: Even 1304 00:08:43,049 --> 00:08:43,230: if 1305 00:08:43,230 --> 00:08:43,320: you 1306 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:43,559: kill 1307 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:43,679: me, 1308 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:43,889: you’ll 1309 00:08:43,889 --> 00:08:44,159: wish 1310 00:08:44,159 --> 00:08:44,220: I 1311 00:08:44,220 --> 00:08:44,610: finished 1312 00:08:44,610 --> 00:08:44,730: you 1313 00:08:44,730 --> 00:08:46,470: off.”
“I 1314 00:08:46,470 --> 00:08:46,710: don’t 1315 00:08:46,710 --> 00:08:46,889: want 1316 00:08:46,889 --> 00:08:46,980: to 1317 00:08:46,980 --> 00:08:47,250: kill 1318 00:08:47,250 --> 00:08:48,360: you!” 1319 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:49,110: Calm, 1320 00:08:49,110 --> 00:08:50,070: well rehearsed 1321 00:08:50,070 --> 00:08:50,218: yet 1322 00:08:50,218 --> 00:08:51,570: casual. “My 1323 00:08:51,570 --> 00:08:52,470: name’s 1324 00:08:52,470 --> 00:08:55,500: Marrow.”
Unless 1325 00:08:55,500 --> 00:08:55,679: this 1326 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:55,860: was 1327 00:08:55,860 --> 00:08:56,129: some 1328 00:08:56,129 --> 00:08:56,429: weird 1329 00:08:56,429 --> 00:08:57,299: identity-based 1330 00:08:57,299 --> 00:08:57,690: ritual, 1331 00:08:57,690 --> 00:08:57,870: that 1332 00:08:57,870 --> 00:08:58,139: didn’t 1333 00:08:58,139 --> 00:08:58,500: sound 1334 00:08:58,500 --> 00:08:58,710: like 1335 00:08:58,710 --> 00:08:58,766: a 1336 00:08:58,766 --> 00:08:58,919: thing 1337 00:08:58,919 --> 00:08:59,039: you 1338 00:08:59,039 --> 00:08:59,399: told 1339 00:08:59,399 --> 00:09:02,009: prey.
“Basil.” 1340 00:09:02,009 --> 00:09:02,100: A 1341 00:09:02,100 --> 00:09:03,840: pause. “What’s 1342 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:03,960: your 1343 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:04,350: game, 1344 00:09:04,350 --> 00:09:06,059: wolf?”
Her 1345 00:09:06,059 --> 00:09:06,419: face 1346 00:09:06,419 --> 00:09:06,600: lit 1347 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:07,350: up. “A 1348 00:09:07,350 --> 00:09:09,600: game?”
Basil 1349 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:09,899: narrowed 1350 00:09:09,899 --> 00:09:10,019: his 1351 00:09:10,019 --> 00:09:11,311: eyes. “It’s 1352 00:09:11,311 --> 00:09:11,340: a 1353 00:09:11,340 --> 00:09:11,610: turn 1354 00:09:11,610 --> 00:09:11,700: of 1355 00:09:11,700 --> 00:09:13,860: phrase.”
No 1356 00:09:13,860 --> 00:09:14,561: response, just a 1357 00:09:14,561 --> 00:09:14,940: quizzical 1358 00:09:14,940 --> 00:09:16,080: stare. 1359 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:16,409: Basil 1360 00:09:16,409 --> 00:09:18,120: sighed.
“What 1361 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:18,179: I 1362 00:09:18,179 --> 00:09:18,509: meant 1363 00:09:18,509 --> 00:09:19,620: was: 1364 00:09:19,620 --> 00:09:19,919: what 1365 00:09:19,919 --> 00:09:20,009: do 1366 00:09:20,009 --> 00:09:20,190: you 1367 00:09:20,190 --> 00:09:22,769: want?”
She 1368 00:09:22,769 --> 00:09:22,950: bit 1369 00:09:22,950 --> 00:09:23,039: her 1370 00:09:23,039 --> 00:09:24,210: lip. 1371 00:09:24,210 --> 00:09:24,539: Seeing 1372 00:09:24,539 --> 00:09:24,659: her 1373 00:09:24,659 --> 00:09:25,052: fangs 1374 00:09:25,052 --> 00:09:25,199: did 1375 00:09:25,199 --> 00:09:25,470: little 1376 00:09:25,470 --> 00:09:25,860: to calm 1377 00:09:25,860 --> 00:09:26,293: Basil’s 1378 00:09:26,293 --> 00:09:28,440: nerves. 1379 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:28,559: He 1380 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:29,340: noticed 1381 00:09:29,340 --> 00:09:29,490: he’d 1382 00:09:29,490 --> 00:09:29,759: taken 1383 00:09:29,759 --> 00:09:29,789: a 1384 00:09:29,789 --> 00:09:30,090: habit 1385 00:09:30,090 --> 00:09:30,149: of 1386 00:09:30,149 --> 00:09:30,419: turning 1387 00:09:30,419 --> 00:09:30,539: his 1388 00:09:30,539 --> 00:09:30,750: head 1389 00:09:30,750 --> 00:09:30,929: one 1390 00:09:30,929 --> 00:09:31,110: way 1391 00:09:31,110 --> 00:09:31,200: and 1392 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:31,529: another 1393 00:09:31,529 --> 00:09:31,590: to 1394 00:09:31,590 --> 00:09:31,890: size 1395 00:09:31,890 --> 00:09:31,975: her 1396 00:09:31,975 --> 00:09:32,070: up 1397 00:09:32,070 --> 00:09:32,190: with 1398 00:09:32,190 --> 00:09:32,549: either 1399 00:09:32,549 --> 00:09:33,990: eye. 1400 00:09:33,990 --> 00:09:34,409: Despite 1401 00:09:34,409 --> 00:09:34,470: a 1402 00:09:34,470 --> 00:09:34,740: lack 1403 00:09:34,740 --> 00:09:34,830: of 1404 00:09:34,830 --> 00:09:35,190: antlers, 1405 00:09:35,190 --> 00:09:35,279: he 1406 00:09:35,279 --> 00:09:35,580: lowered 1407 00:09:35,580 --> 00:09:35,700: his 1408 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:35,879: head 1409 00:09:35,879 --> 00:09:35,940: in 1410 00:09:35,940 --> 00:09:35,969: a 1411 00:09:35,969 --> 00:09:36,120: more 1412 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:36,480: threatening 1413 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:38,399: display.
“Your 1414 00:09:38,399 --> 00:09:39,450: antlers. 1415 00:09:39,450 --> 00:09:39,570: What 1416 00:09:39,570 --> 00:09:39,899: happened 1417 00:09:39,899 --> 00:09:39,990: to 1418 00:09:39,990 --> 00:09:41,039: them? 1419 00:09:41,039 --> 00:09:41,100: I 1420 00:09:41,100 --> 00:09:41,340: want 1421 00:09:41,340 --> 00:09:41,399: to 1422 00:09:41,399 --> 00:09:45,000: know.”
Basil 1423 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:45,360: passed 1424 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:45,450: the 1425 00:09:45,450 --> 00:09:45,779: knife 1426 00:09:45,779 --> 00:09:45,899: between 1427 00:09:45,899 --> 00:09:46,049: his 1428 00:09:46,049 --> 00:09:46,350: hands 1429 00:09:46,350 --> 00:09:46,409: to 1430 00:09:46,409 --> 00:09:46,559: make 1431 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:46,620: it 1432 00:09:46,620 --> 00:09:46,860: clear 1433 00:09:46,860 --> 00:09:47,039: that 1434 00:09:47,039 --> 00:09:47,460: antlers 1435 00:09:47,460 --> 00:09:47,669: or no, 1436 00:09:47,669 --> 00:09:47,789: he 1437 00:09:47,789 --> 00:09:48,100: still had 1438 00:09:48,100 --> 00:09:48,210: an 1439 00:09:48,210 --> 00:09:49,860: arsenal. “I 1440 00:09:49,860 --> 00:09:50,070: did 1441 00:09:50,070 --> 00:09:50,190: it 1442 00:09:50,190 --> 00:09:53,820: myself.”
“Why?”
“Because 1443 00:09:53,820 --> 00:09:53,940: I’m 1444 00:09:53,940 --> 00:09:54,149: just 1445 00:09:54,149 --> 00:09:54,269: as 1446 00:09:54,269 --> 00:09:54,720: effective 1447 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:55,080: without 1448 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:56,159: them.” 1449 00:09:56,159 --> 00:09:56,789: A truth, 1450 00:09:56,789 --> 00:10:01,235: and a veiled threat. “Prolly moreso.”
“Effective at 1451 00:10:01,235 --> 00:10:02,315: what? 1452 00:10:02,315 --> 00:10:03,215: Sufficient 1453 00:10:03,215 --> 00:10:05,524: how?”
She 1454 00:10:05,524 --> 00:10:05,705: took 1455 00:10:05,705 --> 00:10:05,764: a 1456 00:10:05,764 --> 00:10:06,004: step 1457 00:10:06,004 --> 00:10:07,475: closer, and 1458 00:10:07,475 --> 00:10:07,835: Basil 1459 00:10:07,835 --> 00:10:08,014: gave 1460 00:10:08,014 --> 00:10:08,105: her 1461 00:10:08,105 --> 00:10:08,195: a 1462 00:10:08,195 --> 00:10:08,465: hard 1463 00:10:08,465 --> 00:10:10,205: glare. 1464 00:10:10,205 --> 00:10:10,325: She 1465 00:10:10,325 --> 00:10:10,534: took 1466 00:10:10,534 --> 00:10:10,595: a 1467 00:10:10,595 --> 00:10:10,955: shrinking 1468 00:10:10,955 --> 00:10:11,225: step 1469 00:10:11,225 --> 00:10:11,587: back, 1470 00:10:11,587 --> 00:10:11,731: then 1471 00:10:11,731 --> 00:10:13,835: another.
“I 1472 00:10:13,835 --> 00:10:14,014: can 1473 00:10:14,014 --> 00:10:14,345: drive 1474 00:10:14,345 --> 00:10:14,440: with 1475 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:14,524: a 1476 00:10:14,524 --> 00:10:14,914: closed 1477 00:10:14,914 --> 00:10:16,325: roof. 1478 00:10:16,325 --> 00:10:16,445: I 1479 00:10:16,445 --> 00:10:16,625: can 1480 00:10:16,625 --> 00:10:16,774: lay 1481 00:10:16,774 --> 00:10:16,955: my 1482 00:10:16,955 --> 00:10:17,225: head 1483 00:10:17,225 --> 00:10:17,465: down 1484 00:10:17,465 --> 00:10:17,554: to 1485 00:10:17,554 --> 00:10:17,945: rest. 1486 00:10:17,945 --> 00:10:18,034: I 1487 00:10:18,034 --> 00:10:18,215: have 1488 00:10:18,215 --> 00:10:18,514: less 1489 00:10:18,514 --> 00:10:19,115: leverage 1490 00:10:19,115 --> 00:10:19,235: to 1491 00:10:19,235 --> 00:10:19,565: grab 1492 00:10:19,565 --> 00:10:19,926: onto. 1493 00:10:19,926 --> 00:10:20,195: Take 1494 00:10:20,195 --> 00:10:20,284: your 1495 00:10:20,284 --> 00:10:21,215: pick. 1496 00:10:21,215 --> 00:10:21,365: I’ve 1497 00:10:21,365 --> 00:10:21,695: worked a 1498 00:10:21,695 --> 00:10:22,144: million 1499 00:10:22,144 --> 00:10:22,865: jobs, 1500 00:10:22,865 --> 00:10:23,164: none 1501 00:10:23,164 --> 00:10:23,284: of 1502 00:10:23,284 --> 00:10:23,705: which 1503 00:10:23,705 --> 00:10:23,855: have 1504 00:10:23,855 --> 00:10:24,065: ever 1505 00:10:24,065 --> 00:10:24,514: required 1506 00:10:24,514 --> 00:10:24,605: me 1507 00:10:24,605 --> 00:10:24,695: to 1508 00:10:24,695 --> 00:10:25,054: have 1509 00:10:25,054 --> 00:10:27,245: antlers.”
Marrow 1510 00:10:27,245 --> 00:10:27,485: lit 1511 00:10:27,485 --> 00:10:28,924: up. “You 1512 00:10:28,924 --> 00:10:29,524: defy 1513 00:10:29,524 --> 00:10:29,644: the 1514 00:10:29,644 --> 00:10:30,605: superfluity 1515 00:10:30,605 --> 00:10:30,695: of 1516 00:10:30,695 --> 00:10:30,875: your 1517 00:10:30,875 --> 00:10:33,424: anatomy?”
Basil 1518 00:10:33,424 --> 00:10:33,725: blinked 1519 00:10:33,725 --> 00:10:33,815: in 1520 00:10:33,815 --> 00:10:36,634: surprise. “That’s… 1521 00:10:36,634 --> 00:10:38,794: succinct.”
“I’ve 1522 00:10:38,794 --> 00:10:39,095: just 1523 00:10:39,095 --> 00:10:39,335: been… 1524 00:10:39,335 --> 00:10:39,575: so 1525 00:10:39,575 --> 00:10:41,434: curious. 1526 00:10:41,434 --> 00:10:41,794: Deer 1527 00:10:41,794 --> 00:10:41,975: have 1528 00:10:41,975 --> 00:10:42,274: such 1529 00:10:42,274 --> 00:10:42,754: freedom 1530 00:10:42,754 --> 00:10:42,995: from 1531 00:10:42,995 --> 00:10:43,625: constant 1532 00:10:43,625 --> 00:10:45,664: living.”
“Constant 1533 00:10:45,664 --> 00:10:48,455: living?”
“Survival, 1534 00:10:48,455 --> 00:10:49,985: Basil.” 1535 00:10:49,985 --> 00:10:50,375: Marrow 1536 00:10:50,375 --> 00:10:50,825: furrowed her 1537 00:10:50,825 --> 00:10:52,264: brow. “It’s 1538 00:10:52,264 --> 00:10:54,125: exhausting. 1539 00:10:54,125 --> 00:10:54,242: But 1540 00:10:54,242 --> 00:10:54,394: your 1541 00:10:54,394 --> 00:10:54,725: kind 1542 00:10:54,725 --> 00:10:55,085: tend 1543 00:10:55,085 --> 00:10:55,174: to 1544 00:10:55,174 --> 00:10:55,625: act 1545 00:10:55,625 --> 00:10:58,475: frivolously.”
“Quite 1546 00:10:58,475 --> 00:10:58,625: the 1547 00:10:58,625 --> 00:11:00,274: endorsement.”
“Isn’t 1548 00:11:00,274 --> 00:11:01,384: it? 1549 00:11:01,384 --> 00:11:01,684: You 1550 00:11:01,684 --> 00:11:02,375: survive 1551 00:11:02,375 --> 00:11:02,554: in 1552 00:11:02,554 --> 00:11:03,004: spite 1553 00:11:03,004 --> 00:11:03,154: of 1554 00:11:03,154 --> 00:11:03,965: this. 1555 00:11:03,965 --> 00:11:07,955: How?”
Basil 1556 00:11:07,955 --> 00:11:08,284: tapped 1557 00:11:08,284 --> 00:11:08,644: a hoof 1558 00:11:08,644 --> 00:11:08,945: against 1559 00:11:08,945 --> 00:11:09,004: the 1560 00:11:09,004 --> 00:11:09,335: butt of the 1561 00:11:09,335 --> 00:11:09,815: knife, 1562 00:11:09,815 --> 00:11:10,085: letting 1563 00:11:10,085 --> 00:11:10,174: the 1564 00:11:10,174 --> 00:11:10,565: sound 1565 00:11:10,565 --> 00:11:10,966: occupy 1566 00:11:10,966 --> 00:11:11,044: the 1567 00:11:11,044 --> 00:11:11,375: latent 1568 00:11:11,375 --> 00:11:11,674: parts 1569 00:11:11,674 --> 00:11:11,764: of 1570 00:11:11,764 --> 00:11:11,884: his 1571 00:11:11,884 --> 00:11:12,215: mind 1572 00:11:12,215 --> 00:11:12,304: as 1573 00:11:12,304 --> 00:11:12,365: he 1574 00:11:12,365 --> 00:11:14,563: thought.
“Might I 1575 00:11:14,563 --> 00:11:20,465: guess?”
“You 1576 00:11:20,465 --> 00:11:20,705: don’t 1577 00:11:20,705 --> 00:11:20,825: need my permission.” On second thought… “-to guess. You don’t need 1578 00:11:20,825 --> 00:11:21,034: my 1579 00:11:21,034 --> 00:11:21,455: permission 1580 00:11:21,455 --> 00:11:21,605: to 1581 00:11:21,605 --> 00:11:25,205: guess.”
“There 1582 00:11:25,205 --> 00:11:25,294: are 1583 00:11:25,294 --> 00:11:25,504: more 1584 00:11:25,504 --> 00:11:25,774: deer 1585 00:11:25,774 --> 00:11:25,985: than 1586 00:11:25,985 --> 00:11:27,004: wolves,” 1587 00:11:27,004 --> 00:11:27,215: she 1588 00:11:27,215 --> 00:11:28,504: started. “In 1589 00:11:28,504 --> 00:11:28,684: my 1590 00:11:28,684 --> 00:11:29,404: pack, 1591 00:11:29,404 --> 00:11:29,855: everyone 1592 00:11:29,855 --> 00:11:30,095: has 1593 00:11:30,095 --> 00:11:30,215: to 1594 00:11:30,215 --> 00:11:30,875: contribute 1595 00:11:30,875 --> 00:11:31,504: immediately 1596 00:11:31,504 --> 00:11:31,654: to 1597 00:11:31,654 --> 00:11:31,745: the 1598 00:11:31,745 --> 00:11:32,225: wellbeing 1599 00:11:32,225 --> 00:11:32,375: of 1600 00:11:32,375 --> 00:11:32,465: the 1601 00:11:32,465 --> 00:11:33,544: group. 1602 00:11:33,544 --> 00:11:34,205: Failure 1603 00:11:34,205 --> 00:11:35,014: jeopardizes 1604 00:11:35,014 --> 00:11:35,164: our 1605 00:11:35,164 --> 00:11:37,235: survival. 1606 00:11:37,235 --> 00:11:37,384: But 1607 00:11:37,384 --> 00:11:37,595: there 1608 00:11:37,595 --> 00:11:37,715: are 1609 00:11:37,715 --> 00:11:37,894: so 1610 00:11:37,894 --> 00:11:38,195: many 1611 00:11:38,195 --> 00:11:40,024: deer. 1612 00:11:40,024 --> 00:11:40,174: You 1613 00:11:40,174 --> 00:11:40,684: create 1614 00:11:40,684 --> 00:11:41,615: redundancies 1615 00:11:41,615 --> 00:11:41,705: in 1616 00:11:41,705 --> 00:11:41,855: your 1617 00:11:41,855 --> 00:11:42,335: roles 1618 00:11:42,335 --> 00:11:42,455: and 1619 00:11:42,455 --> 00:11:43,264: thrive 1620 00:11:43,264 --> 00:11:44,075: past 1621 00:11:44,075 --> 00:11:44,225: the 1622 00:11:44,225 --> 00:11:45,095: cost 1623 00:11:45,095 --> 00:11:45,184: of 1624 00:11:45,184 --> 00:11:48,664: sufficiency.”
Basil’s 1625 00:11:48,664 --> 00:11:48,845: arm 1626 00:11:48,845 --> 00:11:48,995: went 1627 00:11:48,995 --> 00:11:50,345: slack. 1628 00:11:50,345 --> 00:11:50,465: He 1629 00:11:50,465 --> 00:11:50,674: held 1630 00:11:50,674 --> 00:11:50,884: on to 1631 00:11:50,884 --> 00:11:50,975: the 1632 00:11:50,975 --> 00:11:51,304: knife, 1633 00:11:51,304 --> 00:11:51,394: but 1634 00:11:51,394 --> 00:11:53,524: barely.
“I 1635 00:11:53,524 --> 00:11:53,825: think 1636 00:11:53,825 --> 00:11:53,945: you’re 1637 00:11:53,945 --> 00:11:55,835: right.”
The 1638 00:11:55,835 --> 00:11:56,105: wolf 1639 00:11:56,105 --> 00:11:56,554: grinned, 1640 00:11:56,554 --> 00:11:56,735: not 1641 00:11:56,735 --> 00:11:57,034: caring 1642 00:11:57,034 --> 00:11:57,125: how 1643 00:11:57,125 --> 00:11:57,335: many 1644 00:11:57,335 --> 00:11:57,695: fangs 1645 00:11:57,695 --> 00:11:57,815: she 1646 00:11:57,815 --> 00:11:58,955: showed. “I’m 1647 00:11:58,955 --> 00:12:02,644: right?”
“Yes.” 1648 00:12:02,644 --> 00:12:03,034: Basil 1649 00:12:03,034 --> 00:12:03,394: stared 1650 00:12:03,394 --> 00:12:03,575: into 1651 00:12:03,575 --> 00:12:03,725: the 1652 00:12:03,725 --> 00:12:05,674: blade. “There 1653 00:12:05,674 --> 00:12:05,735: are 1654 00:12:05,735 --> 00:12:06,514: many, 1655 00:12:06,514 --> 00:12:06,965: many 1656 00:12:06,965 --> 00:12:07,804: stags, 1657 00:12:07,804 --> 00:12:08,134: many 1658 00:12:08,134 --> 00:12:09,034: does. 1659 00:12:09,034 --> 00:12:09,394: Making 1660 00:12:09,394 --> 00:12:09,784: tons 1661 00:12:09,784 --> 00:12:09,904: of 1662 00:12:09,904 --> 00:12:10,445: fawns, 1663 00:12:10,445 --> 00:12:10,565: who 1664 00:12:10,565 --> 00:12:10,985: grow 1665 00:12:10,985 --> 00:12:11,075: and 1666 00:12:11,075 --> 00:12:11,345: start 1667 00:12:11,345 --> 00:12:11,434: the 1668 00:12:11,434 --> 00:12:11,794: cycle 1669 00:12:11,794 --> 00:12:13,565: over. 1670 00:12:13,565 --> 00:12:13,684: Our 1671 00:12:13,684 --> 00:12:14,044: mouths 1672 00:12:14,044 --> 00:12:14,195: get 1673 00:12:14,195 --> 00:12:14,855: hungrier, 1674 00:12:14,855 --> 00:12:15,034: so 1675 00:12:15,034 --> 00:12:15,125: we 1676 00:12:15,125 --> 00:12:15,424: strip 1677 00:12:15,424 --> 00:12:15,514: the 1678 00:12:15,514 --> 00:12:15,815: land 1679 00:12:15,815 --> 00:12:16,115: bare, 1680 00:12:16,115 --> 00:12:16,294: then 1681 00:12:16,294 --> 00:12:16,414: we 1682 00:12:16,414 --> 00:12:16,654: move 1683 00:12:16,654 --> 00:12:18,004: on. 1684 00:12:18,004 --> 00:12:18,154: We 1685 00:12:18,154 --> 00:12:19,414: extract 1686 00:12:19,414 --> 00:12:19,565: to 1687 00:12:19,565 --> 00:12:19,955: sustain 1688 00:12:19,955 --> 00:12:20,048: our 1689 00:12:20,048 --> 00:12:21,004: populations, 1690 00:12:21,004 --> 00:12:21,664: which 1691 00:12:21,664 --> 00:12:21,965: guard 1692 00:12:21,965 --> 00:12:22,144: us 1693 00:12:22,144 --> 00:12:22,355: from 1694 00:12:22,355 --> 00:12:24,184: wolves. 1695 00:12:24,184 --> 00:12:24,394: But 1696 00:12:24,394 --> 00:12:25,174: still, 1697 00:12:25,174 --> 00:12:26,524: some 1698 00:12:26,524 --> 00:12:27,095: infiltrate 1699 00:12:27,095 --> 00:12:27,184: our 1700 00:12:27,184 --> 00:12:28,715: cities. 1701 00:12:28,715 --> 00:12:28,894: I’ve 1702 00:12:28,894 --> 00:12:29,195: seen 1703 00:12:29,195 --> 00:12:30,004: it. 1704 00:12:30,004 --> 00:12:30,095: I 1705 00:12:30,095 --> 00:12:31,715: don’t… 1706 00:12:31,715 --> 00:12:32,134: mind 1707 00:12:32,134 --> 00:12:34,595: it.”
He 1708 00:12:34,595 --> 00:12:34,835: gripped 1709 00:12:34,835 --> 00:12:34,924: the 1710 00:12:34,924 --> 00:12:35,164: knife 1711 00:12:35,164 --> 00:12:35,254: and 1712 00:12:35,254 --> 00:12:35,495: looked 1713 00:12:35,495 --> 00:12:36,335: up. 1714 00:12:36,335 --> 00:12:36,634: Talking 1715 00:12:36,634 --> 00:12:36,815: like 1716 00:12:36,815 --> 00:12:37,054: this 1717 00:12:37,054 --> 00:12:37,472: freed 1718 00:12:37,472 --> 00:12:37,804: some 1719 00:12:37,804 --> 00:12:38,195: poison 1720 00:12:38,195 --> 00:12:38,345: from 1721 00:12:38,345 --> 00:12:38,495: his 1722 00:12:38,495 --> 00:12:38,855: lungs, 1723 00:12:38,855 --> 00:12:38,945: but 1724 00:12:38,945 --> 00:12:39,245: he 1725 00:12:39,245 --> 00:12:39,514: had 1726 00:12:39,514 --> 00:12:39,605: to 1727 00:12:39,605 --> 00:12:39,725: be 1728 00:12:39,725 --> 00:12:41,585: careful.
“So 1729 00:12:41,585 --> 00:12:41,644: I 1730 00:12:41,644 --> 00:12:41,855: don’t 1731 00:12:41,855 --> 00:12:42,485: mind 1732 00:12:42,485 --> 00:12:42,634: the 1733 00:12:42,634 --> 00:12:43,085: hunt. 1734 00:12:43,085 --> 00:12:43,205: I 1735 00:12:43,205 --> 00:12:43,475: just 1736 00:12:43,475 --> 00:12:43,774: need 1737 00:12:43,774 --> 00:12:44,945: you 1738 00:12:44,945 --> 00:12:45,125: to 1739 00:12:45,125 --> 00:12:45,365: let 1740 00:12:45,365 --> 00:12:45,875: me 1741 00:12:45,875 --> 00:12:48,784: live.”
“Your 1742 00:12:48,784 --> 00:12:49,325: kind 1743 00:12:49,325 --> 00:12:49,504: do 1744 00:12:49,504 --> 00:12:49,894: many 1745 00:12:49,894 --> 00:12:50,345: things 1746 00:12:50,345 --> 00:12:50,465: that 1747 00:12:50,465 --> 00:12:50,764: don’t 1748 00:12:50,764 --> 00:12:51,365: benefit 1749 00:12:51,365 --> 00:12:52,504: them.” 1750 00:12:52,504 --> 00:12:52,865: Marrow 1751 00:12:52,865 --> 00:12:53,412: swallowed 1752 00:12:53,412 --> 00:12:53,535: with a 1753 00:12:53,535 --> 00:12:53,794: rough 1754 00:12:53,794 --> 00:12:55,414: throat. “And 1755 00:12:55,414 --> 00:12:55,654: that’s 1756 00:12:55,654 --> 00:12:55,715: a 1757 00:12:55,715 --> 00:12:56,225: beautiful 1758 00:12:56,225 --> 00:12:57,904: thing. 1759 00:12:57,904 --> 00:12:58,054: You 1760 00:12:58,054 --> 00:12:59,975: collaborate. 1761 00:12:59,975 --> 00:13:00,125: You 1762 00:13:00,125 --> 00:13:00,784: live 1763 00:13:00,784 --> 00:13:01,414: beyond 1764 00:13:01,414 --> 00:13:04,355: survival.”
Basil 1765 00:13:04,355 --> 00:13:04,654: clutched 1766 00:13:04,654 --> 00:13:04,745: the 1767 00:13:04,745 --> 00:13:04,955: knife 1768 00:13:04,955 --> 00:13:05,055: in 1769 00:13:05,055 --> 00:13:05,284: both 1770 00:13:05,284 --> 00:13:06,125: hooves. “For 1771 00:13:06,125 --> 00:13:06,215: the 1772 00:13:06,215 --> 00:13:06,485: sake 1773 00:13:06,485 --> 00:13:06,634: of 1774 00:13:06,634 --> 00:13:07,804: comfort. 1775 00:13:07,804 --> 00:13:08,014: For 1776 00:13:08,014 --> 00:13:08,105: our 1777 00:13:08,105 --> 00:13:08,794: self interest. 1778 00:13:08,794 --> 00:13:09,034: We’re 1779 00:13:09,034 --> 00:13:09,965: frivolous 1780 00:13:09,965 --> 00:13:11,585: people. 1781 00:13:11,585 --> 00:13:11,705: We 1782 00:13:11,705 --> 00:13:11,975: take 1783 00:13:11,975 --> 00:13:12,215: more 1784 00:13:12,215 --> 00:13:12,394: than 1785 00:13:12,394 --> 00:13:12,514: we 1786 00:13:12,514 --> 00:13:12,784: need, 1787 00:13:12,784 --> 00:13:12,875: but 1788 00:13:12,875 --> 00:13:13,264: we don’t 1789 00:13:13,264 --> 00:13:14,345: care. 1790 00:13:14,345 --> 00:13:15,815: We’re sated as long as 1791 00:13:15,815 --> 00:13:15,904: we 1792 00:13:15,904 --> 00:13:16,085: can 1793 00:13:16,085 --> 00:13:16,534: fight, 1794 00:13:16,534 --> 00:13:16,955: feed, 1795 00:13:16,955 --> 00:13:17,105: and 1796 00:13:17,105 --> 00:13:19,684: fuck”
With 1797 00:13:19,684 --> 00:13:19,774: the 1798 00:13:19,774 --> 00:13:20,044: twitch 1799 00:13:20,044 --> 00:13:20,134: of 1800 00:13:20,134 --> 00:13:20,195: a 1801 00:13:20,195 --> 00:13:20,495: brow, 1802 00:13:20,495 --> 00:13:20,825: Marrow 1803 00:13:20,825 --> 00:13:21,125: drank 1804 00:13:21,125 --> 00:13:21,215: in 1805 00:13:21,215 --> 00:13:21,365: his 1806 00:13:21,365 --> 00:13:22,054: words. 1807 00:13:22,054 --> 00:13:22,174: The 1808 00:13:22,174 --> 00:13:22,654: wind 1809 00:13:22,654 --> 00:13:23,554: shifted, 1810 00:13:23,554 --> 00:13:23,855: carrying 1811 00:13:23,855 --> 00:13:24,455: the 1812 00:13:24,455 --> 00:13:25,115: spice 1813 00:13:25,115 --> 00:13:25,745: and bitters 1814 00:13:25,745 --> 00:13:25,804: of 1815 00:13:25,804 --> 00:13:26,705: sagebrush 1816 00:13:26,705 --> 00:13:26,794: and 1817 00:13:26,794 --> 00:13:26,855: the 1818 00:13:26,855 --> 00:13:27,065: heat 1819 00:13:27,065 --> 00:13:27,154: of 1820 00:13:27,154 --> 00:13:27,485: desert 1821 00:13:27,485 --> 00:13:29,014: air.
“Why 1822 00:13:29,014 --> 00:13:29,134: did 1823 00:13:29,134 --> 00:13:29,254: you 1824 00:13:29,254 --> 00:13:29,644: follow 1825 00:13:29,644 --> 00:13:30,215: me? 1826 00:13:30,215 --> 00:13:30,394: If 1827 00:13:30,394 --> 00:13:30,485: you’re 1828 00:13:30,485 --> 00:13:30,664: not 1829 00:13:30,664 --> 00:13:30,815: going 1830 00:13:30,815 --> 00:13:30,934: to 1831 00:13:30,934 --> 00:13:31,144: eat 1832 00:13:31,144 --> 00:13:31,504: me, 1833 00:13:31,504 --> 00:13:34,355: why?”
Marrow licked 1834 00:13:34,355 --> 00:13:34,684: across 1835 00:13:34,684 --> 00:13:34,774: her 1836 00:13:34,774 --> 00:13:35,134: snout 1837 00:13:35,134 --> 00:13:35,225: and 1838 00:13:35,225 --> 00:13:35,434: lowered 1839 00:13:35,434 --> 00:13:35,524: her 1840 00:13:35,524 --> 00:13:36,995: head.
“... 1841 00:13:36,995 --> 00:13:37,115: I 1842 00:13:37,115 --> 00:13:39,575: scout.”
The 1843 00:13:39,575 --> 00:13:39,875: words 1844 00:13:39,875 --> 00:13:40,174: hung 1845 00:13:40,174 --> 00:13:40,264: in 1846 00:13:40,264 --> 00:13:40,355: the 1847 00:13:40,355 --> 00:13:40,595: dry 1848 00:13:40,595 --> 00:13:44,465: air.
“Meaning…?” 1849 00:13:44,465 --> 00:13:44,855: prompted 1850 00:13:44,855 --> 00:13:45,995: Basil. 1851 00:13:45,995 --> 00:13:46,085: He 1852 00:13:46,085 --> 00:13:46,445: mentally 1853 00:13:46,445 --> 00:13:46,654: ran 1854 00:13:46,654 --> 00:13:46,835: through 1855 00:13:46,835 --> 00:13:47,764: inventory. 1856 00:13:47,764 --> 00:13:47,884: If 1857 00:13:47,884 --> 00:13:48,004: the 1858 00:13:48,004 --> 00:13:48,274: others 1859 00:13:48,274 --> 00:13:48,514: caught 1860 00:13:48,514 --> 00:13:48,634: up, 1861 00:13:48,634 --> 00:13:48,754: he 1862 00:13:48,754 --> 00:13:48,965: was 1863 00:13:48,965 --> 00:13:50,524: doomed.
“That’s 1864 00:13:50,524 --> 00:13:50,855: my 1865 00:13:50,855 --> 00:13:52,115: role. 1866 00:13:52,115 --> 00:13:52,294: I 1867 00:13:52,294 --> 00:13:52,835: gather 1868 00:13:52,835 --> 00:13:53,585: information, 1869 00:13:53,585 --> 00:13:53,735: and 1870 00:13:53,735 --> 00:13:53,884: I 1871 00:13:53,884 --> 00:13:54,310: relay 1872 00:13:54,310 --> 00:13:56,735: it.”
Basil 1873 00:13:56,735 --> 00:13:56,884: could 1874 00:13:56,884 --> 00:13:57,245: swear 1875 00:13:57,245 --> 00:13:57,365: an 1876 00:13:57,365 --> 00:13:57,575: edge 1877 00:13:57,575 --> 00:13:57,664: of 1878 00:13:57,664 --> 00:13:58,325: discomfort 1879 00:13:58,325 --> 00:13:58,565: crept 1880 00:13:58,565 --> 00:13:58,745: into 1881 00:13:58,745 --> 00:13:58,835: her 1882 00:13:58,835 --> 00:14:00,304: voice.
“I 1883 00:14:00,304 --> 00:14:00,845: assist 1884 00:14:00,845 --> 00:14:00,965: the 1885 00:14:00,965 --> 00:14:05,195: hunt.”
“So 1886 00:14:05,195 --> 00:14:05,524: you’ve 1887 00:14:05,524 --> 00:14:05,914: never 1888 00:14:05,914 --> 00:14:06,485: killed 1889 00:14:06,485 --> 00:14:06,695: a 1890 00:14:06,695 --> 00:14:08,764: deer?”
Any 1891 00:14:08,764 --> 00:14:09,095: trace 1892 00:14:09,095 --> 00:14:09,184: of 1893 00:14:09,184 --> 00:14:09,634: excitement 1894 00:14:09,634 --> 00:14:09,845: left 1895 00:14:09,845 --> 00:14:09,965: her 1896 00:14:09,965 --> 00:14:11,225: posture. 1897 00:14:11,225 --> 00:14:11,315: A 1898 00:14:11,315 --> 00:14:11,914: wolf’s smile 1899 00:14:11,914 --> 00:14:12,394: registered 1900 00:14:12,394 --> 00:14:12,815: differently 1901 00:14:12,815 --> 00:14:12,965: to 1902 00:14:12,965 --> 00:14:13,024: a 1903 00:14:13,024 --> 00:14:13,294: deer, 1904 00:14:13,294 --> 00:14:13,684: something 1905 00:14:13,684 --> 00:14:13,774: in 1906 00:14:13,774 --> 00:14:13,865: the 1907 00:14:13,865 --> 00:14:14,284: spacing 1908 00:14:14,284 --> 00:14:14,375: of 1909 00:14:14,375 --> 00:14:14,495: the 1910 00:14:14,495 --> 00:14:15,845: eyes, 1911 00:14:15,845 --> 00:14:15,965: the 1912 00:14:15,965 --> 00:14:16,325: fanged 1913 00:14:16,325 --> 00:14:17,434: mouth. 1914 00:14:17,434 --> 00:14:17,585: But 1915 00:14:17,585 --> 00:14:17,674: the 1916 00:14:17,674 --> 00:14:18,575: frown? It 1917 00:14:18,575 --> 00:14:18,784: was 1918 00:14:18,784 --> 00:14:21,095: unmistakable.
“I 1919 00:14:21,095 --> 00:14:21,485: have 1920 00:14:21,485 --> 00:14:21,784: not 1921 00:14:21,784 --> 00:14:22,174: killed 1922 00:14:22,174 --> 00:14:22,205: a 1923 00:14:22,205 --> 00:14:24,394: deer.”
“I 1924 00:14:24,394 --> 00:14:24,875: believe 1925 00:14:24,875 --> 00:14:26,524: you.” 1926 00:14:26,524 --> 00:14:26,674: He 1927 00:14:26,674 --> 00:14:27,065: believed 1928 00:14:27,065 --> 00:14:27,215: she 1929 00:14:27,215 --> 00:14:27,485: hadn’t 1930 00:14:27,485 --> 00:14:27,725: killed 1931 00:14:27,725 --> 00:14:27,995: anyone 1932 00:14:27,995 --> 00:14:29,644: directly. “But 1933 00:14:29,644 --> 00:14:29,794: what 1934 00:14:29,794 --> 00:14:29,855: do 1935 00:14:29,855 --> 00:14:29,945: you 1936 00:14:29,945 --> 00:14:30,215: plan 1937 00:14:30,215 --> 00:14:30,274: to 1938 00:14:30,274 --> 00:14:30,424: do 1939 00:14:30,424 --> 00:14:30,544: with 1940 00:14:30,544 --> 00:14:30,695: my 1941 00:14:30,695 --> 00:14:33,455: information?”
Marrow 1942 00:14:33,455 --> 00:14:34,745: paused. 1943 00:14:34,745 --> 00:14:34,865: The 1944 00:14:34,865 --> 00:14:35,225: frown 1945 00:14:35,225 --> 00:14:35,644: remained, 1946 00:14:35,644 --> 00:14:35,855: but her 1947 00:14:35,855 --> 00:14:36,215: slumped 1948 00:14:36,215 --> 00:14:36,605: posture 1949 00:14:36,605 --> 00:14:37,054: shifted 1950 00:14:37,054 --> 00:14:38,825: upwards. 1951 00:14:38,825 --> 00:14:38,975: She 1952 00:14:38,975 --> 00:14:39,184: looked 1953 00:14:39,184 --> 00:14:39,664: Basil in 1954 00:14:39,664 --> 00:14:39,725: the 1955 00:14:39,725 --> 00:14:40,115: eyes, 1956 00:14:40,115 --> 00:14:40,205: and 1957 00:14:40,205 --> 00:14:40,264: he 1958 00:14:40,264 --> 00:14:40,355: had 1959 00:14:40,355 --> 00:14:40,445: to 1960 00:14:40,445 --> 00:14:40,684: fight 1961 00:14:40,684 --> 00:14:40,865: not 1962 00:14:40,865 --> 00:14:40,924: to 1963 00:14:40,924 --> 00:14:41,705: freeze. 1964 00:14:41,705 --> 00:14:42,004: Damn 1965 00:14:42,004 --> 00:14:44,855: instinct.
“I 1966 00:14:44,855 --> 00:14:45,095: would 1967 00:14:45,095 --> 00:14:45,335: like 1968 00:14:45,335 --> 00:14:45,485: to 1969 00:14:45,485 --> 00:14:46,024: propose 1970 00:14:46,024 --> 00:14:46,115: an 1971 00:14:46,115 --> 00:14:49,054: alliance.”
Basil leaned 1972 00:14:49,054 --> 00:14:50,225: back. 1973 00:14:50,225 --> 00:14:50,315: It 1974 00:14:50,315 --> 00:14:50,495: was 1975 00:14:50,495 --> 00:14:50,615: as 1976 00:14:50,615 --> 00:14:50,735: if 1977 00:14:50,735 --> 00:14:50,825: the 1978 00:14:50,825 --> 00:14:51,215: terrain 1979 00:14:51,215 --> 00:14:51,725: shifted 1980 00:14:51,725 --> 00:14:51,815: and 1981 00:14:51,815 --> 00:14:51,965: threw 1982 00:14:51,965 --> 00:14:52,054: him 1983 00:14:52,054 --> 00:14:52,294: off 1984 00:14:52,294 --> 00:14:54,424: balance.
“What 1985 00:14:54,424 --> 00:14:56,434: kind?”
“I 1986 00:14:56,434 --> 00:14:56,764: want 1987 00:14:56,764 --> 00:14:56,884: to 1988 00:14:56,884 --> 00:14:57,215: learn 1989 00:14:57,215 --> 00:14:57,455: from 1990 00:14:57,455 --> 00:14:59,075: you. 1991 00:14:59,075 --> 00:14:59,225: I 1992 00:14:59,225 --> 00:14:59,465: want 1993 00:14:59,465 --> 00:14:59,615: to 1994 00:14:59,615 --> 00:14:59,975: reach a 1995 00:14:59,975 --> 00:15:00,215: deer 1996 00:15:00,215 --> 00:15:02,735: settlement.”
Basil 1997 00:15:02,735 --> 00:15:03,184: laughed. 1998 00:15:03,184 --> 00:15:03,424: Not 1999 00:15:03,424 --> 00:15:03,485: a 2000 00:15:03,485 --> 00:15:03,965: chuckle, 2001 00:15:03,965 --> 00:15:03,995: a 2002 00:15:03,995 --> 00:15:04,625: full-bellied 2003 00:15:04,625 --> 00:15:06,095: laugh.
“I’m 2004 00:15:06,095 --> 00:15:06,634: about 2005 00:15:06,634 --> 00:15:06,995: the 2006 00:15:06,995 --> 00:15:08,075: worst 2007 00:15:08,075 --> 00:15:09,065: person 2008 00:15:09,065 --> 00:15:09,215: to 2009 00:15:09,215 --> 00:15:09,455: teach 2010 00:15:09,455 --> 00:15:09,695: you 2011 00:15:09,695 --> 00:15:09,875: how 2012 00:15:09,875 --> 00:15:09,934: to 2013 00:15:09,934 --> 00:15:10,264: fit 2014 00:15:10,264 --> 00:15:11,825: in. Believe me, you 2015 00:15:11,825 --> 00:15:12,004: are 2016 00:15:12,004 --> 00:15:12,365: gonna 2017 00:15:12,365 --> 00:15:12,544: be 2018 00:15:12,544 --> 00:15:13,174: fighting 2019 00:15:13,174 --> 00:15:14,615: an uphill 2020 00:15:14,615 --> 00:15:16,745: battle.”
Marrow 2021 00:15:16,745 --> 00:15:17,075: closed 2022 00:15:17,075 --> 00:15:17,195: the 2023 00:15:17,195 --> 00:15:17,404: gap 2024 00:15:17,404 --> 00:15:17,735: between 2025 00:15:17,735 --> 00:15:17,884: them 2026 00:15:17,884 --> 00:15:18,034: by 2027 00:15:18,034 --> 00:15:18,095: a 2028 00:15:18,095 --> 00:15:18,274: few 2029 00:15:18,274 --> 00:15:19,835: meters.
“I’m 2030 00:15:19,835 --> 00:15:20,465: not 2031 00:15:20,465 --> 00:15:20,855: going 2032 00:15:20,855 --> 00:15:21,575: back 2033 00:15:21,575 --> 00:15:21,725: to 2034 00:15:21,725 --> 00:15:21,875: the 2035 00:15:21,875 --> 00:15:24,784: pack.”
Basil 2036 00:15:24,784 --> 00:15:24,934: took 2037 00:15:24,934 --> 00:15:24,995: a 2038 00:15:24,995 --> 00:15:25,205: step 2039 00:15:25,205 --> 00:15:26,945: closer.
“Why 2040 00:15:26,945 --> 00:15:28,024: not? 2041 00:15:28,024 --> 00:15:28,174: My 2042 00:15:28,174 --> 00:15:28,414: ears 2043 00:15:28,414 --> 00:15:28,534: are 2044 00:15:28,534 --> 00:15:30,424: open.”
Marrow 2045 00:15:30,424 --> 00:15:30,664: looked 2046 00:15:30,664 --> 00:15:31,024: around, 2047 00:15:31,024 --> 00:15:31,144: as 2048 00:15:31,144 --> 00:15:31,235: if 2049 00:15:31,235 --> 00:15:31,355: they 2050 00:15:31,355 --> 00:15:31,534: could 2051 00:15:31,534 --> 00:15:31,715: hear 2052 00:15:31,715 --> 00:15:33,725: her.
“I 2053 00:15:33,725 --> 00:15:35,585: want 2054 00:15:35,585 --> 00:15:35,825: to 2055 00:15:35,825 --> 00:15:37,115: continue 2056 00:15:37,115 --> 00:15:37,294: a 2057 00:15:37,294 --> 00:15:38,254: pursuit 2058 00:15:38,254 --> 00:15:38,705: of 2059 00:15:38,705 --> 00:15:41,105: information 2060 00:15:41,105 --> 00:15:42,004: without 2061 00:15:42,004 --> 00:15:42,125: the 2062 00:15:42,125 --> 00:15:43,054: limitations 2063 00:15:43,054 --> 00:15:43,174: of 2064 00:15:43,174 --> 00:15:43,504: a 2065 00:15:43,504 --> 00:15:44,855: scouting 2066 00:15:44,855 --> 00:15:47,134: role. 2067 00:15:47,134 --> 00:15:47,225: I 2068 00:15:47,225 --> 00:15:47,434: want 2069 00:15:47,434 --> 00:15:47,524: to 2070 00:15:47,524 --> 00:15:47,705: learn 2071 00:15:47,705 --> 00:15:47,884: more 2072 00:15:47,884 --> 00:15:48,095: about 2073 00:15:48,095 --> 00:15:48,245: your 2074 00:15:48,245 --> 00:15:49,715: kind, 2075 00:15:49,715 --> 00:15:49,865: and 2076 00:15:49,865 --> 00:15:50,195: your 2077 00:15:50,195 --> 00:15:50,735: approach 2078 00:15:50,735 --> 00:15:50,855: to 2079 00:15:50,855 --> 00:15:50,975: the 2080 00:15:50,975 --> 00:15:53,195: world.”
Basil 2081 00:15:53,195 --> 00:15:54,634: smiled.
“I 2082 00:15:54,634 --> 00:15:54,875: think 2083 00:15:54,875 --> 00:15:54,965: you 2084 00:15:54,965 --> 00:15:55,205: want 2085 00:15:55,205 --> 00:15:55,625: even more than 2086 00:15:55,625 --> 00:15:58,593: that.”
Marrow 2087 00:15:58,593 --> 00:15:58,894: sniffed 2088 00:15:58,894 --> 00:15:59,044: the 2089 00:15:59,044 --> 00:15:59,284: air 2090 00:15:59,284 --> 00:15:59,404: and 2091 00:15:59,404 --> 00:15:59,554: bit 2092 00:15:59,554 --> 00:15:59,644: her 2093 00:15:59,644 --> 00:16:02,345: lip.
“I… 2094 00:16:02,345 --> 00:16:02,644: want 2095 00:16:02,644 --> 00:16:02,764: to 2096 00:16:02,764 --> 00:16:03,095: live 2097 00:16:03,095 --> 00:16:03,455: beyond 2098 00:16:03,455 --> 00:16:05,225: subsistence. 2099 00:16:05,225 --> 00:16:05,345: I 2100 00:16:05,345 --> 00:16:05,735: want 2101 00:16:05,735 --> 00:16:05,825: the 2102 00:16:05,825 --> 00:16:06,455: leisure 2103 00:16:06,455 --> 00:16:07,174: afforded 2104 00:16:07,174 --> 00:16:07,384: to 2105 00:16:07,384 --> 00:16:08,735: deer. 2106 00:16:08,735 --> 00:16:08,855: I 2107 00:16:08,855 --> 00:16:09,365: want to 2108 00:16:09,365 --> 00:16:10,024: advance 2109 00:16:10,024 --> 00:16:10,205: my 2110 00:16:10,205 --> 00:16:11,014: priorities 2111 00:16:11,014 --> 00:16:11,495: beyond 2112 00:16:11,495 --> 00:16:12,245: balancing 2113 00:16:12,245 --> 00:16:12,875: caloric 2114 00:16:12,875 --> 00:16:15,125: intake.”
“Do 2115 00:16:15,125 --> 00:16:15,485: wolves 2116 00:16:15,485 --> 00:16:15,725: not 2117 00:16:15,725 --> 00:16:15,995: have 2118 00:16:15,995 --> 00:16:17,254: that?”
She 2119 00:16:17,254 --> 00:16:19,024: scoffed.
“I 2120 00:16:19,024 --> 00:16:19,205: do 2121 00:16:19,205 --> 00:16:19,414: not 2122 00:16:19,414 --> 00:16:19,715: have 2123 00:16:19,715 --> 00:16:21,575: that. 2124 00:16:21,575 --> 00:16:22,235: Scouting is 2125 00:16:22,235 --> 00:16:22,294: a 2126 00:16:22,294 --> 00:16:22,565: lower 2127 00:16:22,565 --> 00:16:23,105: priority 2128 00:16:23,105 --> 00:16:24,485: role. 2129 00:16:24,485 --> 00:16:24,695: And 2130 00:16:24,695 --> 00:16:24,845: I 2131 00:16:24,845 --> 00:16:25,024: do 2132 00:16:25,024 --> 00:16:25,294: not 2133 00:16:25,294 --> 00:16:25,565: like 2134 00:16:25,565 --> 00:16:25,684: the 2135 00:16:25,684 --> 00:16:26,075: games 2136 00:16:26,075 --> 00:16:26,254: they 2137 00:16:26,254 --> 00:16:28,865: play.”
“Yeah, 2138 00:16:28,865 --> 00:16:29,044: you 2139 00:16:29,044 --> 00:16:29,225: can 2140 00:16:29,225 --> 00:16:29,375: do 2141 00:16:29,375 --> 00:16:30,519: better.”
“They are 2142 00:16:30,519 --> 00:16:30,605: a 2143 00:16:30,605 --> 00:16:30,845: bunch 2144 00:16:30,845 --> 00:16:31,504: of 2145 00:16:31,504 --> 00:16:32,345: bachelors; 2146 00:16:32,345 --> 00:16:32,465: they 2147 00:16:32,465 --> 00:16:32,615: are 2148 00:16:32,615 --> 00:16:33,125: barely 2149 00:16:33,125 --> 00:16:33,215: a 2150 00:16:33,215 --> 00:16:35,825: pack!”
Marrow 2151 00:16:35,825 --> 00:16:36,815: grinned, 2152 00:16:36,815 --> 00:16:36,965: the 2153 00:16:36,965 --> 00:16:37,475: expression 2154 00:16:37,475 --> 00:16:37,684: far 2155 00:16:37,684 --> 00:16:37,865: less 2156 00:16:37,865 --> 00:16:38,225: alien 2157 00:16:38,225 --> 00:16:38,375: than 2158 00:16:38,375 --> 00:16:40,264: before. 2159 00:16:40,264 --> 00:16:41,105: Those daggerlike 2160 00:16:41,105 --> 00:16:41,884: teeth 2161 00:16:41,884 --> 00:16:42,125: weren’t 2162 00:16:42,125 --> 00:16:42,154: a 2163 00:16:42,154 --> 00:16:43,414: threat; 2164 00:16:43,414 --> 00:16:43,565: they 2165 00:16:43,565 --> 00:16:43,745: were 2166 00:16:43,745 --> 00:16:43,804: a 2167 00:16:43,804 --> 00:16:44,225: display 2168 00:16:44,225 --> 00:16:44,315: of 2169 00:16:44,315 --> 00:16:48,245: joy.
“Maybe 2170 00:16:48,245 --> 00:16:48,424: we 2171 00:16:48,424 --> 00:16:48,605: can 2172 00:16:48,605 --> 00:16:48,845: make 2173 00:16:48,845 --> 00:16:48,904: a 2174 00:16:48,904 --> 00:16:49,174: pit 2175 00:16:49,174 --> 00:16:49,804: stop in 2176 00:16:49,804 --> 00:16:50,105: Blue 2177 00:16:50,105 --> 00:16:51,065: Meadow,” 2178 00:16:51,065 --> 00:16:51,514: Basil 2179 00:16:51,514 --> 00:16:52,804: conceded. “I 2180 00:16:52,804 --> 00:16:53,014: need 2181 00:16:53,014 --> 00:16:53,105: to 2182 00:16:53,105 --> 00:16:53,434: gather 2183 00:16:53,434 --> 00:16:54,304: supplies. 2184 00:16:54,304 --> 00:16:55,774: Maybe…”
He 2185 00:16:55,774 --> 00:16:56,134: tilted 2186 00:16:56,134 --> 00:16:56,254: his 2187 00:16:56,254 --> 00:16:56,434: head 2188 00:16:56,434 --> 00:16:56,736: down 2189 00:16:56,736 --> 00:16:56,914: and gave 2190 00:16:56,914 --> 00:16:57,004: her 2191 00:16:57,004 --> 00:16:57,065: a 2192 00:16:57,065 --> 00:16:57,365: hard 2193 00:16:57,365 --> 00:16:58,355: look.
“Stay 2194 00:16:58,355 --> 00:17:00,365: here.”
She 2195 00:17:00,365 --> 00:17:00,784: obeyed 2196 00:17:00,784 --> 00:17:00,934: while 2197 00:17:00,934 --> 00:17:00,995: he 2198 00:17:00,995 --> 00:17:01,414: hopped 2199 00:17:01,414 --> 00:17:01,475: in 2200 00:17:01,475 --> 00:17:01,534: the 2201 00:17:01,534 --> 00:17:01,835: back 2202 00:17:01,835 --> 00:17:01,894: of 2203 00:17:01,894 --> 00:17:01,985: the 2204 00:17:01,985 --> 00:17:03,335: truck. 2205 00:17:03,335 --> 00:17:03,424: He 2206 00:17:03,424 --> 00:17:03,904: wasn’t 2207 00:17:03,904 --> 00:17:04,295: sure 2208 00:17:04,295 --> 00:17:04,535: they’d 2209 00:17:04,535 --> 00:17:04,835: still 2210 00:17:04,835 --> 00:17:05,194: be 2211 00:17:05,194 --> 00:17:05,525: here 2212 00:17:05,525 --> 00:17:07,505: but…
He 2213 00:17:07,505 --> 00:17:07,775: opened 2214 00:17:07,775 --> 00:17:07,865: the 2215 00:17:07,865 --> 00:17:08,255: tailgate 2216 00:17:08,255 --> 00:17:08,345: and 2217 00:17:08,345 --> 00:17:08,644: hopped 2218 00:17:08,644 --> 00:17:09,244: out. 2219 00:17:09,244 --> 00:17:09,394: In 2220 00:17:09,394 --> 00:17:09,515: his 2221 00:17:09,515 --> 00:17:09,904: arms 2222 00:17:09,904 --> 00:17:09,994: were a 2223 00:17:09,994 --> 00:17:10,265: long 2224 00:17:10,265 --> 00:17:10,835: pair 2225 00:17:10,835 --> 00:17:10,984: of 2226 00:17:10,984 --> 00:17:13,384: antlers. 2227 00:17:13,384 --> 00:17:14,164: Bashfully, 2228 00:17:14,164 --> 00:17:14,345: he held 2229 00:17:14,345 --> 00:17:16,744: them out.
“These 2230 00:17:16,744 --> 00:17:17,464: might help you 2231 00:17:17,464 --> 00:17:17,914: blend 2232 00:17:17,914 --> 00:17:18,545: in while we’re 2233 00:17:18,545 --> 00:17:18,815: there. 2234 00:17:18,815 --> 00:17:18,964: No 2235 00:17:18,964 --> 00:17:19,191: more 2236 00:17:19,191 --> 00:17:19,355: than 2237 00:17:19,355 --> 00:17:19,414: a 2238 00:17:19,414 --> 00:17:19,654: day 2239 00:17:19,654 --> 00:17:19,775: or 2240 00:17:19,775 --> 00:17:20,644: two.”
He 2241 00:17:20,644 --> 00:17:22,174: glared. “No 2242 00:17:22,174 --> 00:17:22,954: unsupervised 2243 00:17:22,954 --> 00:17:23,434: contact 2244 00:17:23,434 --> 00:17:24,065: with 2245 00:17:24,065 --> 00:17:24,875: any 2246 00:17:24,875 --> 00:17:25,984: deer. 2247 00:17:25,984 --> 00:17:26,255: Try 2248 00:17:26,255 --> 00:17:26,375: not 2249 00:17:26,375 --> 00:17:26,464: to 2250 00:17:26,464 --> 00:17:26,585: let 2251 00:17:26,585 --> 00:17:26,704: them 2252 00:17:26,704 --> 00:17:27,154: see 2253 00:17:27,154 --> 00:17:28,505: you. 2254 00:17:28,505 --> 00:17:28,654: I 2255 00:17:28,654 --> 00:17:28,894: don’t 2256 00:17:28,894 --> 00:17:29,194: want 2257 00:17:29,194 --> 00:17:29,345: them 2258 00:17:29,345 --> 00:17:29,644: getting 2259 00:17:29,644 --> 00:17:30,305: scared 2260 00:17:30,305 --> 00:17:30,454: and 2261 00:17:30,454 --> 00:17:30,934: killing 2262 00:17:30,934 --> 00:17:32,464: you.”
His 2263 00:17:32,464 --> 00:17:32,765: gaze 2264 00:17:32,765 --> 00:17:34,535: softened. “But… 2265 00:17:34,535 --> 00:17:34,684: I’ll 2266 00:17:34,684 --> 00:17:34,984: drive 2267 00:17:34,984 --> 00:17:36,964: slow. 2268 00:17:36,964 --> 00:17:37,115: You 2269 00:17:37,115 --> 00:17:37,265: can 2270 00:17:37,265 --> 00:17:37,474: look 2271 00:17:37,474 --> 00:17:38,974: around, 2272 00:17:38,974 --> 00:17:39,275: maybe I’ll 2273 00:17:39,275 --> 00:17:39,515: ask 2274 00:17:39,515 --> 00:17:39,575: a 2275 00:17:39,575 --> 00:17:39,994: question 2276 00:17:39,994 --> 00:17:40,085: or 2277 00:17:40,085 --> 00:17:40,295: two 2278 00:17:40,295 --> 00:17:40,414: on 2279 00:17:40,414 --> 00:17:40,535: your 2280 00:17:40,535 --> 00:17:43,411: behalf.”
Marrow 2281 00:17:43,411 --> 00:17:43,565: took 2282 00:17:43,565 --> 00:17:43,684: the 2283 00:17:43,684 --> 00:17:44,375: antlers 2284 00:17:44,375 --> 00:17:44,525: and 2285 00:17:44,525 --> 00:17:44,884: cradled 2286 00:17:44,884 --> 00:17:45,095: them 2287 00:17:45,095 --> 00:17:45,214: in 2288 00:17:45,214 --> 00:17:45,365: her 2289 00:17:45,365 --> 00:17:46,654: arms. 2290 00:17:46,654 --> 00:17:46,805: Her 2291 00:17:46,805 --> 00:17:47,224: face 2292 00:17:47,224 --> 00:17:47,404: fell 2293 00:17:47,404 --> 00:17:47,884: still 2294 00:17:47,884 --> 00:17:48,065: with 2295 00:17:48,065 --> 00:17:50,615: reverence.
“Why 2296 00:17:50,615 --> 00:17:50,734: did 2297 00:17:50,734 --> 00:17:50,825: you 2298 00:17:50,825 --> 00:17:51,184: keep 2299 00:17:51,184 --> 00:17:52,204: these? 2300 00:17:52,204 --> 00:17:52,295: I 2301 00:17:52,295 --> 00:17:54,184: thought-”
Basil 2302 00:17:54,184 --> 00:17:54,634: grunted 2303 00:17:54,634 --> 00:17:56,164: disapprovingly. 2304 00:17:56,164 --> 00:17:56,285: He 2305 00:17:56,285 --> 00:17:56,615: tossed 2306 00:17:56,615 --> 00:17:56,734: her 2307 00:17:56,734 --> 00:17:56,795: a 2308 00:17:56,795 --> 00:17:57,066: can 2309 00:17:57,066 --> 00:17:57,154: of 2310 00:17:57,154 --> 00:17:57,424: scent 2311 00:17:57,424 --> 00:17:58,115: killer. 2312 00:17:58,115 --> 00:17:58,384: Marrow 2313 00:17:58,384 --> 00:17:58,684: dropped 2314 00:17:58,684 --> 00:17:58,744: the 2315 00:17:58,744 --> 00:18:00,335: topic.
“I’ll 2316 00:18:00,335 --> 00:18:00,575: tell 2317 00:18:00,575 --> 00:18:00,724: you 2318 00:18:00,724 --> 00:18:03,515: later.”
Basil 2319 00:18:03,515 --> 00:18:03,664: would 2320 00:18:03,664 --> 00:18:03,904: never 2321 00:18:03,904 --> 00:18:04,265: miss 2322 00:18:04,265 --> 00:18:04,444: Blue 2323 00:18:04,444 --> 00:18:06,154: Meadow. 2324 00:18:06,154 --> 00:18:06,244: But 2325 00:18:06,244 --> 00:18:06,664: Marrow 2326 00:18:06,664 --> 00:18:06,934: couldn’t 2327 00:18:06,934 --> 00:18:07,174: wait 2328 00:18:07,174 --> 00:18:07,295: to 2329 00:18:07,295 --> 00:18:07,505: see 2330 00:18:07,505 --> 00:18:14,315: it.



This 2331 00:18:14,315 --> 00:18:15,454: was “Antiherd 2332 00:18:15,454 --> 00:18:16,234: Tendencies” 2333 00:18:16,234 --> 00:18:16,384: by 2334 00:18:16,384 --> 00:18:16,894: Bighorn 2335 00:18:16,894 --> 00:18:17,674: Bill, 2336 00:18:17,674 --> 00:18:17,944: read 2337 00:18:17,944 --> 00:18:18,214: for you 2338 00:18:18,214 --> 00:18:18,394: by 2339 00:18:18,394 --> 00:18:18,605: Rob 2340 00:18:18,605 --> 00:18:19,234: MacWolf, 2341 00:18:19,234 --> 00:18:19,744: Werewolf 2342 00:18:19,744 --> 00:18:21,244: Hitchhiker. 2343 00:18:21,244 --> 00:18:21,365: You 2344 00:18:21,365 --> 00:18:21,515: can 2345 00:18:21,515 --> 00:18:21,755: find 2346 00:18:21,755 --> 00:18:21,994: more 2347 00:18:21,994 --> 00:18:22,474: stories 2348 00:18:22,474 --> 00:18:22,625: on 2349 00:18:22,625 --> 00:18:22,714: the 2350 00:18:22,714 --> 00:18:22,955: web 2351 00:18:22,955 --> 00:18:23,105: at 2352 00:18:23,105 --> 00:18:24,664: thevoice.dog, 2353 00:18:24,664 --> 00:18:24,994: or 2354 00:18:24,994 --> 00:18:25,234: find 2355 00:18:25,234 --> 00:18:25,325: the 2356 00:18:25,325 --> 00:18:25,535: show 2357 00:18:25,535 --> 00:18:25,865: wherever 2358 00:18:25,865 --> 00:18:26,015: you 2359 00:18:26,015 --> 00:18:26,285: get 2360 00:18:26,285 --> 00:18:26,494: your 2361 00:18:26,494 --> 00:18:28,474: podcasts. 2362 00:18:28,474 --> 00:18:28,775: Thank 2363 00:18:28,775 --> 00:18:28,894: you 2364 00:18:28,894 --> 00:18:29,194: for 2365 00:18:29,194 --> 00:18:29,974: listening 2366 00:18:29,974 --> 00:18:30,125: to 2367 00:18:30,125 --> 00:18:30,244: The 2368 00:18:30,244 --> 00:18:31,565: Voice 2369 00:18:31,565 --> 00:18:31,835: of 2370 00:18:31,835 --> 00:18:32,194: Dog.