There was more in the forest than the trees. The wind carried the scent of three unlucky humans deep into the woods, and something stirred. A howl, long and low, rang out.

Then silence. Damp leaves muffled what little noise the tailypo might have made as it undulated through the woods towards the road. The first thing the prey might spot was a dark shape, snaking through the trees, above the glitter of shining claws. It had no trouble at all catching up and matching the group's pace. Two would be a good night's hunt. Three was a treat. It would need to keep them from splitting up, if it wanted to eat all of them.

Best to let them come to it. Thought was action, and it turned its snout towards them, watching them as it ran alongside them.

[Sarah]