Dusty scooped up the poppy seeds in his mouth as he prepared to also collect the cobwebs. He stiffened. Someone was watching him.
Flicking his ears forward, he jerked his gaze around and tasted the air. The strong taste of mutant blew into his mouth as he wrinkled his nose. Aww, come on? Another one?
Sighing, he quickly decided not to draw attention to himself as he cautiously snatched up the cobwebs and padded forward, keeping his body low onto the ground. Suddenly, barking was heard in the distance, and Dusty noticed two figures battling with each other. Curious, he leaned over the tall hedge of the yellow grass and peered over to investigate.
Two mutants were snapping at each other, fighting over a piece of dead prey. Dusty tasted the air again. The prey had been dead for many days, so it must have been killed before the explosion.
The stronger mutant pushed away the other one from its back and lunged for its throat. The second one--a scrawny one--leaped out of the way, but was knocked to the ground with a blow of the first one.
Dusty turned away as the first one bite down onto the second's throat, blood spluttering out from the hole. The second one thrashed it paws into the air, while the stronger one slammed its paw into the throat again, causing the weak one to squeal in pain.
Disgusted by the sight, Dusty turned and noticed a lithe, small shape bounding towards him. He curled his tail in amusement. This would be an easy battle to defeat. Hopefully, it's some prey, Dusty murmured to himself, licking his lips. Crouching low, he prepared to leap, but stopped himself as the figure grew nearer.
It was the pup!
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, stalking over to the pup with anger rising in his pelt.