The hunter wears the forest like an old cape. Easy. Familiar. Comfortable. Footfalls are soft and catlike in the dirt, bow ready, nerves strung tight. It's elusive, the quarry. Success owes as much to luck as skill. Today, perhaps, the hunter will be lucky.
People talk of the thrill of the chase, and yes, ok, there is some enjoyment in that. Quite a lot, actually. Most of the time. But the thrill of the capture is a separate pleasure, and an addictive one if you aren't careful. One catch is never enough. Barely a breath after the dratted unicorn is netted, bagged, tagged, bedpost notched... Keen eyes might already be skimming the horizon, looking for another.
This one will be different though. It always is. It must be. You could follow the exact same path and process as before, and this time, it won't be enough. In fact, this tactic is almost sure and certain to result in failure.
There's a glow in the trees ahead, but sometimes, when you arrive, It is nowhere to be seen. Maybe you keep to the path, confident you will catch up to It. Or maybe you strike out in a new direction. Sometimes you might even give up, despondent. Resolve to just enjoy the stroll, and not engage in this chase. It offers mostly frustration. Best not to fixate on it. And then, look! You turn a corner and there it is!
Should you see that telltale glow, the glimpse of a horn or a shining white hide, you best turn your head a little. Peek at the beast only in your peripheral vision. Lest it catches wind of you, and buggers off, sharpish. As ephemeral as a bubble.
Don't hope! It can smell hope.
Sometimes, you get a hunch that this time, this time, you will get it. You can feel it, you know that you are on track. This time, this piece will get Top Story. You're pleased with it, it's one of your best, and it's got a pretty good reception.
Come on, adventurer. I can see a glow in the trees ahead. The hunt is on.
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Word count: (excluding note): 366
Submitted on: 9th April at 22.10
*Quick Author's Note*
First, and most importantly: thank you for reading!
The story behind the story: I've been getting three unicorns a month this year, and then this week I got three! No idea why, it's ineffable.
I've done a bunch of prompts here.
A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one makes an 99 day streak since the 1st January. I'm collating them all here.
Leave me a comment: If you've joining me on this story a day lark. I'd love to see what you've come with today.
Thank you
Thank you again! Especially if you are one of the people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you 😁
I do my best to reciprocate as many reads as possible. If you leave me a comment, that makes it much easier.
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Comments (12)
Only way for ts-throw out stories
Yes, the elusive unicorn!
This was so clever, and my thoughts exactly every time I write something I'm especially proud of. And it's always a surprise to see what outcome plays. Great story L.C.!
That's because you a Vocal Superstar hehehehehe!
Unicorns are like buses. You wait for ages then two or three come along at once! 😉 Don’t think this should be a surprise. Your writing is on fire this year. Well done L.C.
Don't hope! It can smell hope. Seems so sometimes. Algorithms are tricky and no one knows but the man behind the curtain. I enjoyed your story.
I stopped expecting to be on TS. You're right, it can sniff out hope. lol
Very, very clever. The hunt is on. As Mark says, it's always a surprise!
Did.... did you just do a twist? Haha, I swore this was a continuation of your last unicorn piece... but then you through out TS and it took on a WHOLE different meaning!
Agree snd fantastic microfiction story!!!❤️❤️💕
Same here. I’m always surprised if it happens.
Boy can I relate to this! I'll write and rewrite a story and I'm lucky to get a couple of likes. Then the next story gets thrown together haphazardly and it catches the unicorn. I'll never figure it out. Great description though.