A/N: This story takes place in an alternate universe, in which humans have died out, leaving highly intelligent animals as the most advanced species.
Delicate hooves trampled through the forest, sharp teeth nipping at the doe's ankles as she ran, just a hair faster than her attackers. The two wolves' combined breaths burned hot on her hind legs as they pursued her through the trees. She was panicking - it was only a matter of time before they would manage to cut her off somehow. Separating her from the rest of her herd had spelled her doom from the start, and now, she would perish as easy prey.
"
I can't die like this."
She found herself thinking it over and over. It wasn't fair, to die so young, as nothing more than food for ravenous predators.
She tried to focus on what was straight ahead of her, but she could see one of the wolves approaching her from the side. She leaped, managing to put some distance between them, but knowing she could not stop. They could make up for however far she'd gotten in a matter of seconds if she slowed. Pandora looked around as she ran, hoping she'd notice something she could use to her advantage. She needed a way to escape.
The answer came in the form of a break in the trees wide enough she could see a pasture full of cows. There was no way the wolves would follow her beyond a fence; it would be too easy for them to get trapped, and she was certain they'd expect a response from the herd. She'd had to jump over the fence - she was already running towards it, it would be easy.
With one impressive jump, Pandora cleared the fence, coming to a skidding halt on the other side of the fence. She turned, watching as the wolves approached. They slowed, growling when they saw the fence. She'd been right: they weren't willing to risk being trampled by the cows upon being identified as a threat. The two paced back and forth for a moment, then turned, darting back off to their pack. The doe sighed, letting her head hang low, nose brushing over the grass. She'd made it, as close of a call as it had been, and now, once she was certain they would leave her be, she could return to her own herd. Hopefully, the cows would not mind her presence until then.
She looked around, hoping to gauge their reaction to her appearance. Some stole glances at her with unreadable expressions, while some ignored her entirely. She felt as though a few of them were looking at her with... malice? Contempt? They wore unwelcoming smirks, as though they were waiting for something. She looked away quickly, not wanting to invite the heifers over for interaction. She was, after all, in their pasture. She was at a severe disadvantage if anyone confronted her.
Pandora shivered, the feeling of sunlight no longer beating down on her coming unexpectedly as a large shadow crept up behind her. "You're not a cow."
The doe let out a panicked scream, leaping forward before turning to face the beast towering behind her. She should have been looking for him... the pasture's bull. Since humans had died out, the only reason cows remained in fenced in pastures was the protection of a bull. Pandora cowered before the muscular beast. "I- I am a doe. I was running from wolves and, well. I'm sorry. Your pasture was the only way I had to escape. If I had gone anywhere else- um..."
