Full Moon (flash fiction)

Full Moon

by Carol

365 words

The full moon had called her out to the forest tonight, as she knew it would. She could have resisted, it was always a choice, but why? She loved the freedom, the joy in running through the trees, the metallic taste of blood when she caught her prey. And she had a special prey in mind.

She stretched feeling the burning start in her hands, blazing to her center. Pain ripped through her, familiar and intoxicating. Then the moment passed and she lie on the forest floor, panting, her white silk dress in tatters beside her. Slowly she rose, her silvery fur barely contrasting with the forest’s shadows. Her ears perked at the sound of howls from the nearby hills, but she ignored them. She would not be running with the pack tonight.

She headed south, her large paws soundless, and sniffed the air. Jake had made a mistake yesterday, talking at the bar about his fishing trip. He had even glanced at her, knowing she was listening. He felt so safe, but she hadn’t forgotten. She remembered how he had hurt Jade, made her life unbearable, caused her death, even if a court would never convict him.

She came over the ridge and headed down the slope toward the lake. She avoided the few campers settled in for the night. She could smell Jake and another man before she saw their tent pitched in a clearing on the other side of the beach. She darted back into the safety of the trees, skirted the playground and picnic area, entering the clearing on the far side. She heard the two men talking around the campfire, but she always had trouble making sense of spoken words while she was in her wolf form. It didn’t matter. It was Jake. He didn’t hear her as she padded up behind him, and his friend seemed frozen, just staring at her, speechless, as she grabbed Jake’s throat in her jaws, piercing and crushing it, killing him. Then she turned to his companion and lunged.

Later, full, she returned to the pile of clothes and curled up on the remnants of her dress. She would return home at first light.

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Dottie at Tink’s Place has a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge that I’m enjoying. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday – 350 words, give or take.