Spirit Animal Ficlets

In The Hanging Tree

Miles hummed a song to himself. Softly moving across the rooftops.

Are you, are you coming to the tree? They strung up a man, they say who murdered three. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be if we met at midnight in the hanging tree.

He had been following this man for the past few hours. Another target, another kill.

Miles slipped down from the roof and stalked closer. His hand gripped a rope tightly as he to his target.

Are you, are you coming to the tree? Where dead man called out for his love to flee. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be if we met at midnight in the hanging tree.

The man stopped and began turned around. Miles dashed behind a trashcan, swift and silent. His breath caught in his lungs as his blood roared in his ears.

The man stood there for a moment "Anybody there? Come out or I'll have to call out my spirit animal!" He threatened. Miles smirked to himself. This man had no spirit animal, he had stalked this man since before dawn and saw some unsightly things but he saw no tattoo of a spirit animal.

Are you, are you coming to the tree? Where I told you to run so we'd both be free. Strange things did happen here, bo stranger would it be if we met at midnight in the hanging tree.

The mam huffed and gravel indicated that the man had began walking off. The spy counted a few beats then contuined following the man.

The man rounded a corner and Miles followed slowly yet when he turn ed the corner. The man was not there.

Are you, are you coming to the tree? Wear a necklace of hope side by side with me. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be if we met at midnight in the hanging tree.

Hands grabbed the boy before he could react. Miles struggled for a moment then stiffened as a knife pressed to his throat. Was this how the man wanted to play? Miles smiled.

The boy pulled his glove up to reveal A tattoo on his wrist. A flash of light lit the dark road. A white panther growled and lunged towards the man. He gave a strangled cry. Miles twisted away as he stepped back and held out his arm. Baron changed back to a tattoo.

Are you, are you coming to the tree? Where I told you to run so we'd both be free. Strange things did happen here no stranger would it be if we met at midnight in the hanging tree.

A wild smile crossed Miles' face. The man stood up, he saw the rope that lead from his neck to the end tightly held in Miles' hands.

Miles tugged and brought him to his knees. The man quaked as he stared at the boy "Who are you? What do you want?" He asked. Baron reappeared next to Miles, eyes piercing the man.

Are you, are you coming to the tree? Where they strung up a man, they say who murdered three. Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be if we met at midnight in the hanging tree.

Miles smiled widely "Want a hint?" He asked, voice rough like he had swallowed rocks. The man nodded.

Miles stepped closer, Baron baring claws and fangs at the man as a warning. He leaned close "Are you, are you coming to the tree?" He started. The man's eyes widened in fear.

He keeled before the hang man "Where dead man called out for his love to flee." The rope started to grow tight caught of his air.

Miles watched as he gapped like a fish "Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be." His face went from pale, to blue, to purple.

His eyes staring at the boy wildly "If we met at midnight."

-----

They found a man's body hanging from a tree. A tight noose around his neck and claw marks tore open his stomach to let his insides hanging out.

Miles walked by the crime scene with slight horror as if he had not committed the crime.

In the hanging tree.