Blood on Snow
For the Snow Micro Challenge
Freezing snow on furry snowshoe paws. Later, she will gnaw the icy crystals away that get stuck between the pads, and lick warmth and comfort into them. She will turn on her side and let the last little life suckle. But for now, her mind is a blood-red bullet, aimed only at one thing.
Every part of her slows, down to her heart. She closes her mouth so the heat misting up from her vital pink tongue doesn't alert her quarry. It's as if she can even command her fur, each strand a hollow work of art, to stillness.
She cannot miss. Too much is at stake.
A blur of fur and fangs, a yelp, a spray of blood.... and the rabbit springs away.
The metal teeth dig into her foreleg. The searing agony overtakes her hunger, then recedes to an insistent throb that crescendoes with every movement.
Aching with milk, she buries the pain under grit and all-encompassing determination to get back to her den, and sets to work with her teeth.
It is impossible to be wily on three legs, leaking blood from where a paw should be. At last, the little one burrowing into her for warmth and sustenance, she knows the Trapper is coming. Even a creature as stupid as a Man can track her now.
But his steps are too light, and he smells wrong.
"Daaaaad! Look! Look what I found!"
It isn't the Trapper. It is a Boy, his heart un-gnarled by good sense.
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Compelling and original writing
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Comments (28)
Excellent micro! The narrative voice of the mama wolf was so well done!
Back to say Congratulations on being a runner up winner I was pleased to see this recognized.
Terrific story.
Very atmospheric. Brutal and sad.
Wooohooooo congratulations on your challenge win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations L. C. on your win in the Snow Micro challenge!!!
Fantastic!!! Congratulations on the runner up win!!!♥️♥️
Congrats on your win! Well deserved!
Congrats!
Great story and congratulations on your win.
"It is a Boy, his heart un-gnarled by good sense."- love how this contrasts with the stupid Man. Predator becomes prey in so few words! Your descriptions at the beginning as she eyes the rabbit are excellent:)
Writing every day like this is just making you better and better. Again you grab our attention and you refuse to let us look away until the end
This is excellent. My favourite one of yours (so far ha ha!)
Why you do to this to me, woman? If that little freak doesn't help the rabbit, I'm gonna lose it! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Oh, poor wolf! Wolves are my favorite creatures, and my heart goes out to this poor one just trying to get some food. Well done, and a great twist on the challenge.
Traps are the cruelest way to hunt. Tragic tale you pulled my heart out with this one.
really nice take-psst been away cuz of a head injury
Oof. My heart. She just wanted food, and lost her paw in the process 🥺. I like your out-of-box thinking with the challenge, writing from an animal's perspective rather than a human. I hadn't seen that yet, and it certainly stands out to me :)
O-woooo to finding compassionate, wonder-filled friends.
Oof, I hate animals getting hurt. Such great writing again.
Oof. This one really hurt. I feel a strange kinship with wolves, always have. You carry so so much emotion in these short pieces, LC! I'm loving being able to follow you on this Odessey of writing for the year
If my story led to this one, I’m proud by association. Magnificent, stunning story, LC! Deeply felt and wildly beautiful.
Oh, my heart. Help her, little boy. Just don't get mauled in the process
Compelling piece. Enjoyed it greatly. Your POV and character development pulled me in and kept me reading.
Yay! It’s a boy!!!! Great story! Loved it!