Antler to Antler - Part 3
#3 of Antler to Antler
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Bracken sits by the stream staring into the water.
HOOFBEATS. Suddenly, Fern's beside him.
FERN: Sorry we got interrupted back there, turns out Stag's quite a buck. Want to walk with me back to the clearing?
Bracken takes one last look at the water, then nods. He stands up, and him and Fern begin to make their way back through the forest. Silent.
A few times, they open their mouths to speak, but then stop.
Wind RUSTLES through the trees, an owl HOOTS in the distance.
Finally--
FERN: So... This gathering's something, isn't it?
Bracken nods in acknowledgment.
FERN: It's kind of exciting, isn't it, not knowing who's going to end up with who, the unexpectedness of all of it?
BRACKEN: I guess that's one way you can put it. (Beat) To be honest, this is my first one.
Fern nods.
FERN: I've never been to a Rut before either, but I thought it'd be interesting to try it out. You know meet new deer, perhaps find a partner.BRACKEN: It sure is much more chaotic than where I'm from.
Bracken and Fern slip back into silence, and the noises of the NIGHT FOREST once again take over, Bracken and Fern just taking in the night and one another's presence.
FERN: So what's it like, fighting like that? What's going through your head as you're locked in battle, antler to antler?
Bracken pauses to think.
BRACKEN: To be honest, there isn't much time to think. You just have to dig in and trust your instincts, and hope to come out the top.
Fern looks thoughtful.
FERN: Interesting. (Pause) I've been thinking. Stag seems to be really interested in me. Do you you think he's going to challenge for me?
Bracken hesitates.
FERN: Yeah, maybe you're right. I'm sure there are a lot of other nice bucks out here. I just hope if one chooses me, it's one that I like.
By now, they've reached the clearing. Fern spots Maple, then turns back to Bracken.
FERN: I should go. It's been nice talking to you. Perhaps we can see each other again tomorrow?
Bracken dips his head.
BRACKEN: Perhaps.
And with that, Fern trots after her sister. Bracken watches her go, longing in his eyes.
EXT. FOREST CLEARING - DAY
Fern and Maple stand in the clearing, watching all the bucks fighting. Fern's face shows fascination, but Maple is clearly unimpressed.
MAPLE: Look at them. Filled with so much masculinity. It's like they've lost their minds.
Fern glances at her sister. Turning back to the battle, discomfort rises on her face as she registers for the first time what her sister is saying...
She shakes it off.
FERN: I thought you wanted to come here.
MAPLE: I came here for you. You said you wanted a buck, this is the place. For my part, I'm more than content to remain by myself. Take this Rut nonsense and leave me out of it.
Fern blinks a few times, thoughtful.
Bracken comes up to stand beside them.
BRACKEN: Hi. Mind if I stand here?
FERN: No, not at all.
Fern scoots aside, and they stand together, watching the day's proceedings.
Maple looks at Bracken curiously.
MAPLE: Why aren't you out there fighting?
Bracken hesitates.
BRACKEN: I don't need to fight all the time do I? I think it's nice to take some time off to socialize once in awhile.
Maple looks at Bracken for a long moment. Finally she gives him a light bump.
MAPLE: You're not all that bad.
They go silent as they continue to watch the other bucks' fighting.
Across the clearing, Bracken notices Stag staring in their direction. Fern follows Bracken's gaze, and Stag gives her a smug grin, Fern smiles back. Bracken shifts his feet uncomfortably.
Suddenly, Pine, the buck who was watching Bracken earlier emerges out of nowhere and butts Bracken off his feet. Bracken stumbles a bit, but quickly regains his footing.
PINE: Back away from my doe! She's mine!
Pine butts at Bracken again. Bracken looks at Fern and Maple desperately. The Buck hooks antlers and yanks Bracken's gaze away, forcing him to make contact, eye to eye.
PINE: That's right! She's my doe! I challenge you for her!
Pine drives himself into Bracken. Antlers locked, the struggle begins.
Maple, watching from the sidelines rolls her eyes.
MAPLE: See? Bucks. Just brute force. Like that's the only thing that matters. I can't even.
Fern looks at Maple, worry rising in her gaze.
Pine's ferocity is more than Bracken is prepared for, twisting his head to the side, driving him down into the earth.
Pine knocks Bracken off his feet, unlocks antlers and slams him with another blow to the side. Bracken tumbles across the ground, dazed.
BLEARY VISION, Bracken struggles to get up...
And his hoofs crumple under him.
Bracken watches as Pine steps up to the two sisters. Bracken tries to shout, but CHOKES on his breath.
Helpless, Bracken can only watch. Pine looks at the two does--
And turns to Maple.
PINE: Come on. We're out of here.
Maple is taken off guard.
MAPLE: Me?
PINE: Yes you. I won the fight. Unless someone else wants to challenge me, I've won you.
Maple opens her mouth to protest, but already a crowd is gathering, watching her expectantly.
Maple closes her mouth and looks at Fern desperately, but Fern is silent.
PINE: Come on!
With that, Pine nudges Maple away with his antlers. No deer protests. Slowly, reluctantly, she follows Pine from the clearing. Fern watches her sister go, speechless.
Bracken again struggles to get up, but he's still too dazed. He slumps into the grass in defeat.
Looking back up, he notices Stag watching Fern intently. Stag steps up to Fern and gently, but with command, nudges her attention away from the forest. He rests an antler on her head, but she pulls away, just slightly.
Stag looks at Bracken and shakes his head. He's already won.
BRACKEN: Fern!
But his voice is hoarse, no one hears. Looking at Stag, exertion overtakes him, causing him to shake. Crumpling, all goes BLACK.