Day 10: A Predator Born

Kraven was always prepared; he went into a situation knowing every possible outcome and planning for them. He controlled the battlefield and dictated the rules of play. The other hunters operated under his rules. In fights, they used what had been given to them. The arenas were merely stages and their weapons props as they still ultimately belonged to him, down to the most minute operation.

So when Mary Jane had changed the rules, so to speak, it had impressed him. Of course he would always find the hiding opponent because he built the arena by hand. And while her attempts to alter the arena were rudimentary, they showed an evolution in thinking.

Beyond that, she had progressed further into her predator mindset. While the first few days saw her reacting, she eventually became proactive. She learned to observe her prey's habits and mannerisms so that she could create a plan around them. While her hiding was easily discoverable, he rewarded her with an extra minute.

For Mary Jane, she was not sure how she was feeling. Pride at having accomplished something formerly impossible? Pride at having proved the expectations of her wrong? She wasn't entirely sure, but she'd never felt this good before. Sure, her body was still sore from the inevitable fight (though she was thankful that the wounds were gone at the very least), but she was proud of her own ingenuity and accomplishment.

There was another moment, though, that earned her praise from Kraven. As he passed her hiding spot, they both know she had the chance to attach. She would have inevitably failed, but he was in the perfect position for it.

And that's why she restrained herself. She knew the attack would fail and chose not to risk giving away her location. Restraint. Foresight. Planning. She was thinking like a predator. She was thinking like a hunter.

It was still a horrible prison with daily incredibly pain. But it was a prison she was learning to adapt to. Though, with adaptation came evolution. She knew this experience would change more than just her physical prowess, but she had no idea to what extent.