The Chase

by Sandy S.

She stepped lightly across the meadow. She was calm. The birds chirped their rich joyful song. In the shower of sunlight, rabbits and field mice skittered about searching for food across the broad stretch of green. Even a grey fox was striding along the way on this beautiful morning.

She went on with her early day's schedule; yet, she remained alert to her surroundings. She heard a leaf crackle some fifty feet away. Lifting her head, she stared in the direction of the noise and watched for the slightest movement. Seeing none, she went back to work.

Seconds later, the birds fell silent. The smaller animals disappeared into the shadows. The fox drifted away. Suddenly, as her body stiffened, a black crow flew across the meadow, screaming warnings. She sensed the coming event. Glancing back to the leafy green of the underbrush where she knew the innocent lay, she decided and acted.

Racing toward the opposite neck of the woods, she crashed through the wild tangle of bushes, leaving many clues to her path. Stopping a few yards from the edge of the forest, she listened. Tension mounted. Then, she heard the clumsy footsteps of a man near her hiding place. Again, she dashed off.

Shaking with a fresh fear, she leapt over logs and bushes while frantically dodging trees. She tried different routes to lead him astray, but nothing could shake him from her trail.

* * *

He shivered with anticipation as he chased after her. His subconscious told him that her path was too easy, but in his excitement, the thought was pushed back. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of her through the branches.

She stopped. He aimed his gun. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, a brown body hurled from the brush. A stag charged at him, sharp horns down. The fury in the deer's eyes paralyzed him for an instant, and he barely escaped collision.

His hand vibrated violently as he raised the gun and fired the bullet. Time stood still while the stag fell-hatred still in his eyes. Slowly, the man sank to the ground, exhaustion overcoming him.

* * *

Heart pounding like a racehorse out of control, she turned as soon as she heard the gun fire. She stood, listening. Several minutes later, she retraced her steps.

The human odor clung to the forest air. As it grew stronger, she peered into the thicket. The man was dragging along the limp body of the stag. The stag's chest was ripped open, and blood flowed freely from the wound. The deep brown eyes stared vacantly into space; yet, they were strangely full even in death.

She turned away in sorrow, but there was nothing she could do. Then, she remembered the innocent. With that thought, she dashed back to the meadow and found her fawn safely nested in the moss covering the ground. His eyes were wide and dilated with fright at his mother's absence. However, the innocent eyes of youth had changed. In the place of innocence, there lay the strong but gentle wisdom of his father.

THE END