Whale Song

This story comes with a Dharrsheena warning

I hear them coming. It is just the two of us and a vast expanse of deep water. They are powering their way towards us and I am fearful but resolute.

I was hoping it would be longer. I was hoping he would be stronger. I was hoping he could move faster. But it is not to be.

The water tells me they are coming and they are eager, excited, penetrating the blue like sharpened arrows, honing in on us like missiles as we swim away from whence they come.

He stays close to me, sheltering in my bulk. Then, they are here.

Black. White. Agile. Keen.

A predation team.

My little one is scared and so am I. We must swim! Swim! Away! My desperation makes me move and him with me, his fear driving him to propel his body as fast as he can. He does not comprehend what is happening, only that there is danger.

Stay with me, I urge. Stay close.

They dart, manoeuvring and regrouping and driving us on. They are unrelenting, persistent. They love to play! This is a ruthless game, Nature's cruel pursuit.

I cannot keep track and I am tiring and so is he. Come on, little one! But I know how this will end. I am just one whale, just one mother, against a gang intent on death. How can I win? A well-placed blow will help but they are fast, they are strong and they are determined to eat. They do not view me with fear although they know I will fight. No, they are confident in their ability to take and that is what they will do today.

I thrash, I slap, using my tail to hurt. I will not give in! I am a mighty beast, a titan of the ocean! But I am nothing now despite my strength and my presence. I feel my unwieldiness as they dip and turn, nipping and threatening, as they cut their way to my own.

We have fled as Nature has taught us but it is not enough.

I am not enough.

I no longer feel you at my side.

Alone.

The ocean absorbs my grief-filled lament.

***

366 words

I'm enjoying these challenges of putting myself into the mind of creatures. When I say enjoying them, I mean the writing of them, not necessarily what they depict. This one in particular made me sad when I reread it. Imagining this from a human perspective would be some new kind of harrowing, wouldn't it?

This was an entry for Belle's challenge which you can find out more about here:

I have written two other entries for this. The first:

My second:

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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