Pain exploded along two places on the creature's spine, almost at once. Its head tipped back, teeth gnashing, and then it started bucking, trying to shake the pain out of its bones. Blood poured from the wound on its neck. It took a few steps, still twitching and bucking, towards the woods, and then turned around. The humans had hurt it, but they were still its best chance for a meal. One of them was bleeding too.

The one with the single, gleaming claw had done the most damage -- it fixed its eyes on the hand holding the dagger, and licked its lips. Then it approached, this time more slowly.