The Man in the Elder Tree

A dark, heavy, supernatural short story regarding climate change and the destruction of forests.

*EXCERPT*
But he was free. Uncaged. Free. He beat his wings hard and rose up into the clouded gray sky, letting out an animalistic screech from his cracked lips. By far, they were the strangest part of the creature. The claws were curved inward like little scooping shovels, and twenty-three blunt teeth rimmed the edge of each claw. He crashed through the lush green, swinging and destroying the tall pines like toothpicks. Animals of every kind were now shelterless. The creature tucked its black-brushed wings and shot downward in a muddy blur. Slitted eyes found prey, and claws extended for the kill.