Sh Did You Hear That

I hesitate to get my cool clean drink this morning. Something is different. The cold air is the same. The water is still, I do not sense danger. There is a lack of sameness however. I look at my brother and shake my head as he Starts for the water. He hesitates, his ears come up. He is listening. I realize for the first time how many points he has. I had another brother with points like that. Proud, until he was not. He paws at the ground and gives a rough cough. I give him a sharp glance. He looks down, shyly. Not as proud, and I feel ashamed of myself. He is my little brother. Do I dare let him go first? The last time I did that, I lost a brother. With a cough, I let him know I will go first. Something is wrong; not danger, but something. Man? I am not sure. If man, a young one. I step out and take a cool drink. Put my head up. Sh! Did you hear that? A loud noise crashes through the meadow. A searing pain goes through me. The last thing I see before my eyes close Is my brother's white tail as he hops over the fence Back toward the safety of the trees. He does not look back. I smile, knowing I saved at least one of my brothers.