It looks like a thinner-skinned cousin to a crocodile, though it’s only the size of a dog. Its eyes are on the top of its head, unshielded by thick skin. It reminds me also of a salamander, but somewhat larger. Its jaw is rounded like an alligator, though its teeth are small. It emerges from the water and rushes me. It’s fast, even in the mud. It dashes towards me with that gaping maw wide.
My first thought is to strike the beast down with the rock. Somehow the better plan leaps to mind just as it comes into reach. The stone that I’ve drawn is large for my hand. As the beast reaches me, I rush it and press the rock into its mouth. It’s a simple beast, unprepared for this assault. When its mouth is suddenly obstructed, It recoils. I leap after it, grabbing it by the neck and leaping on top of it. While it has many teeth and plainly is a meat-eater, it’s only the size of a small dog. My weight presses down on the beast, driving it into the mud. Its stumpy legs are unable to resist my weight. It sinks in, losing all ability to move.
I sit on top of the bast, one knee on the back of its neck, the other on the base of its spine. It’s too deep to move now.
I cast a quick glance at the water. It is friendless. Nothing rushes to its aid.
The beast below me writhes. I consider for a moment what to do with it. It has no allies to come to its aid. I haven’t the skills or tools to kill it quickly. It’s too stupid to understand mercy. If I let it live, it will turn around and attack me almost immediately.
Its flesh is soft, though. Soft enough for my hands to tear it. It’s an ugly way to kill an animal. I begin by digging my fingers in around is neck, just behind my knee. The dark red blood oozes out of its neck. The animal bucks violently as I assault it. I drive out its eyes with my fingers, worsening its injury. I punch its snout, causing the bone to bend and splinter against the stone in its mouth. The animal snarls. It’s an ugly kill, slow and cruel. It’s cruel because I enjoy it. A surge of power courses through me as the beast stops moving.
I stand triumphant over my kill. The beast expired below me is now a collection of meat and skin and bone. It’s quite a lot of meat, really. It’s dirty and bloody and I cannot imagine eating it raw. No. That is wrong. I cannot imagine eating it any other way.
I reach down, remove the stone, and pull back on the snout, tearing away at the ligaments of its jaw.
Its bones will be useful, but first I will need this meat.