(Even more of the weird story)
Part Three: The Approach
I moved with slow, deliberate steps along the high point, until the trees and bushes were too thin to hide me. The approach would be wide enough to work. I took a quick look around to review the ground from this new place. It was important to review the terrain and distances. The being was in the same vicinity as before, eating and showing no sign of concern. I determined there was no reason to delay.
I stayed low as I departed the bushes and moved down to the low, open space. Only thin grass, not higher than my knees, covered the open space. Staying low would only give me a few extra moments to stay undetected. I would be seen once it looked in my direction.
Just as I reached the flat, open space, the being raised its head up. I might have made a noise in my movements or just fallen into sight early; though it did not matter any longer. The approach was nearly over. All that remained was for the being to make a choice and act on it. If it ran back to the boundary of trees it was taking a chance of being faster in a longer run. If it tried to run through the gap I had left it, between me and the water, my chances were better; I knew that ground.
I held back on my speed. It would not do to waste energy until the being committed itself to a direction. The other advantage of holding back early was to trick the target into misjudging your full speed. The creature saw me and froze in place, probably hoping it had not been seen. This was good. The longer it froze, the closer I got and the more rushed its decision became. Still, I began to accelerate, just enough to keep closing the distance. The being took quick glances in the directions it might go and darted into action.
John Settger 