Sparks from the fire jerked spasmodically into the night sky
a curl of acrid smoke wound its way between them,
vanishing into the dark
crackles and spits from the triangle of pine logs that burned readily
the cocking of the rifle was the only other sound,
that and a soft hiss of restrained breathing
A sprinkle of blinking stars balanced the tilted crescent moon
that watched dolefully
the man's features were painted red from the firelight
and his eyes glinted fiercely
the barrel of the rifle came up slowly as the silence broke
from a snapped twig
a cool cheek rested tightly against the stock
and one of the glinting eyes closed
The bush branches parted and the movement that was
only sound before was now tangible
the fire's flicker gave them the impression of dancing
and other worldliness as they moved
a shape emerged into the shadows at the edge of the campsite,
the firelight stuttering over its form
his finger tensed on the trigger and began a slow increase in pressure,
the eye centering the rifle sight
A new sound and he froze; behind him, he heard a guttural rumble
his eyes swiveled as far as possible and he held his breath,
probing with his aural sense
an answering growl from across the campsite and suddenly
the silence was shattered
*********************************************************
The sun played hide and seek behind clouds
and thick tree branches
the trio huffed their way up the animal track
to the second tree line
small animals scurried from their approach, watching nervously
The leader halted then beckoned the others forward
a shaky hand wiped across his mouth
shocked registered and one turned aside, doubled over
a shard of sunlight lit the destroyed campsite then faded to dull grey
as a hiking pole prodded the scattered bits of clothing
A broken piece of rifle stock poked from beneath a charred log
a dark stain on the wood
quick snapshots of the scene and up loaded to the Ranger station
in a moment a call... leave area immediately
the sun vanished behind a cloud as the trio gathered themselves
and hurried to the path, where a figure loomed before them
*********************************************************
The headline read - Wolves Attack Hikers With Tragic End
a small paragraph about a camper accidentally burning himself
to death in his campsite
The figure stared at the photo found on the hiker's phone and smiled
as the ship lifted above the tree line and sped into the night
it would show its friends his souvenir from the food harvest
on the planet called Earth
YOU ARE READING
Bits & Pieces
RandomADDED TO WATTPAD COFFEE COMMUNITY POPOURRI COLLECTION - 2018 Bits & Pieces. It is a collection of noodles, stories never completed, thoughts I may have from time to time. It's a dump of past 'creativity'. Have a look anytime you like and please co...