The Way Down | Freewrite: 9/10/22 | Prompt: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

The way up was difficult. No other choice but to continue. As the cold wind blew across the mountain, a sudden chill pierced my body. This shouldn't be. I was built for endurance. I continued. My sore hoof wobbled from the embedded sharp object that pierced the skin. My hind leg was bloodied from the battle. I barely escaped with my life. Just as my natural enemy pounced, I jumped to the next ledge and held fast. The mountain lion grabbed hold of my foot. One swift kick sent him tumbling below. I was lucky. But he would attempt the charge again. His small pride waited below. Neither them nor I dared make the first move. The standstill began.

A single bellow sent over the blistering air returned unanswered. No surprise there; just hope.

Three years ago, I began to feel as though I was superior. All looked at me with distrust. My father pronounced to the rest that I must go.

I left my flock at the beginning of my prime. I still haven't found a mate. What I did find was the harshness of life without family. Dangers I never knew existed rushed forth to provide a hands-on education and experience. It was a good thing I was oversized for my age.

The real test came on a day I was wallowing below, minding my own business. Grazing in the coolness of the bottom floor, suddenly vicious growls repeated as though a hundred angry animals were near. Frightened, I turned. Five brothers flashing five-inch teeth with tongues that hung out over salivating mouths stood before me.

Always a quick thinker, I glanced from one wide to the other. All I saw was a horde of large, brown faces. They hadn't come for a friendly visit.

The back door against the mountain was shut. The front door was blocked.

I could tell you I had several escape options, but that would have been a lie. No way but up.

So I turned and made my way upward to the first rung. I could feel my body being dragged back down. Thoughts of dying were foremost.

I always imagined when I was older heading off into the sunset to find a quiet and peaceful place to lie and never return to my family the way I'd seen other older family members behave.

But I hadn't expected the years to wear me down so quickly. The higher I attempted to climb, the more difficult it became. Carving out a life in this mountainous region was definitely not an easy task.

I looked back briefly as I kicked as hard as I could. Luckily, the ledge was sturdy that I felt comfortable enough to continue kicking. Whether out of habit or desperation, one kick landed squarely in the lion's face. He struggled to hold on to the rock. I landed a decisive blow as I believed I damaged an eye. He shook his head violently. If only I could turn to utilize my horns, I could have dealt him heavy damage. My feet would have to suffice.

While stumbling but not falling to the ground, I made my move. I jumped to the next ledge, then the next until I reached the top.

I was spent. I couldn't continue. I looked back across the distance. A house stood on an even higher cliff.

I turned back and looked down upon the angry bellowing crowd.

All four lions stood looking up and screaming as their brother continued after me. Maybe they were encouraging him. He was precise in his placement of his claws to secure a grip. I could say he was showing off. He wanted to be the one who fed his group that day. There's always one that won't give up, I thought as reminders of my own brothers' antics flashed before me.

I tried to keep my focus on the brothers. Then I noticed something I hadn't seen before. Their mouths and faces were covered in red as if they'd just feasted. I looked beyond their presence.

White fur blew gently in the wind as red interspersed with bone, hooves, and horns carried the scent of initial decay across the terrain.

I fell to the ground upon the cliff. I cried for my brethren. There would never be a chance to return home now.

I hung my head in agony. My body hurt. My heart hurt. I closed my eyes. Seconds passed. I thought about the end. But I didn't want it to be the end.

I knew at that moment the way down wasn't difficult, but it would be the end of my life.

^{Image used with permission of contest owner}