Skip to main content

Howling at the Moon

 https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.313371836.7737/flat,750x1000,075,f.u3.jpg

There’s nothing quite as beautiful as seeing the silvery light of the moon reflecting off the lake. Its lonely glow used to instill fear in me, now the idea of a full moon gets my blood pumping.

This night is no exception.

There will be excruciating pain for the first few minutes, but that will fade. In its place will be the clarity of the hunt. My vision will sharpen in the darkness and my nose will pick up scents I didn’t even know existed until now.

No drugs compare to the exhilaration one receives when on the heels of prey. I can hear it’s heart beating faster as the fear sets in. I look and see the shifting gaze of its eyes.

It thinks to run, but it doesn’t know that I was forged for the chase. This is the law of nature, the strong live and the weak die. I pull up right behind, then I fall away. The hunt is too short, so I like to draw it out.

It runs on two legs, how stupid. Does it not know it could move twice as fast on all fours. It’s quick for a human, much faster than me. The moon is shining bright tonight, which means I’m in my true form.

There is no hope for him.

He makes a wrong turn in the forest of stone. This forest is strange, not like any of the others. The trees touch the sky, and its bark is made of rock. It matters not, because there is plenty of food here.

The weak ones think they are safe in their nests of stone and metal. Sometimes they are, but this one made a mistake. He went between two of them and trapped himself in the alleyway.

Now he’s mine.

I look up to see the moon nearly hidden behind the sky trees and let out one more howl. Tonight, it’s the howl of victory, another night filled with meat and blood. I howl now because tomorrow I may not get the chance. 

--- 

John Westrick

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Wish Come True (A Short Story)

I woke up with a start when I found myself in a very unfamiliar place. The bed I was lying on was grand—an English-quilting blanket and 2 soft pillows with flowery laces. The whole place was fit for a king! Suddenly the door opened and there stood my dream prince: Katsuya Kimura! I gasped in astonishment for he was actually a cartoon character. I did not know that he really exist. “Wake up, dear,” he said and pulled off the blanket and handed it to a woman who looked like the maid. “You will be late for work.” “Work?” I asked. “Yes! Work! Have you forgotten your own comic workhouse, baby dear?” Comic workhouse?! I…I have became a cartoonist? That was my wildest dreams! Being a cartoonist! I undressed and changed into my beige T-shirt and black trousers at once and hurriedly finished my breakfast. Katsuya drove me to the workhouse. My, my, was it big! I’ve never seen a bigger place than this! Katsuya kissed me and said, “See you at four, OK, baby?” I blushed scarlet. I always wan...

Hans and Hilda

Once upon a time there was an old miller who had two children who were twins. The boy-twin was named Hans, and he was very greedy. The girl-twin was named Hilda, and she was very lazy. Hans and Hilda had no mother, because she died whilst giving birth to their third sibling, named Engel, who had been sent away to live wtih the gypsies. Hans and Hilda were never allowed out of the mill, even when the miller went away to the market. One day, Hans was especially greedy and Hilda was especially lazy, and the old miller wept with anger as he locked them in the cellar, to teach them to be good. "Let us try to escape and live with the gypsies," said Hans, and Hilda agreed. While they were looking for a way out, a Big Brown Rat came out from behind the log pile. "I will help you escape and show you the way to the gypsies' campl," said the Big Brown Rat, "if you bring me all your father's grain." So Hans and Hilda waited until their father let them out, ...

I've Learned...

Written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. Rooney used to be on 60 Minutes TV show. I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows. I've learned .... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world. I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child. I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in any other way. I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. I...