My Short Short Story for the Day

 Chayma stood perfectly still, holding her breath and willing herself to be invisible.   She could hear the beast snuffling around but she knew his sense of smell was weak.  She’d have to go without bathing for weeks before he’d even get a hint of her presence.  His eyesight wasn’t much better.  He could usually see big movements but only if it was directly in front of him.  His hearing, that was the thing Chayma feared.  It was very keen and could pick up a mouse squeak from hundreds of paces away.  She had stopped her breathing and could go without air for a short period of time but eventually her air sac would run out and she’d have to resume breathing.  The beast had to be far away by then or she’d be its next meal.  Not a thought she cared to dwell on.  The snuffling was so close now; she could feel the warmth of its breath on her hand.  A twig snapped but she didn’t twitch.  She had learned long ago not to react to sudden noises, ever.  The beast rambled off in the direction of the noise.  Chayma didn’t breathe but silently slipped away into the trees, moving fast and not breathing until she was miles away.