The Night Bird

A strangeness lit the air like the feeling of static caught in a newly washed blanket. Unseen and yet so profoundly there.

Night, seemed to grow even darker as it seemed to swallow the moonlight in large gulps. The only thing the inky blackness hadn’t devoured, was a few splotches of silvery light here and there.

Even the wind had taken notice, leaving all the country side without a trace of its existence. Nothing moved and nothing made a sound. It was as quiet as it is when snow has first fallen and everything has gone still.

The dancing crickets had stopped chirping before night took over and the fireflies had long since retired for the evening. It was as if the night had suffocated life, yet something stirred low in the shadows. It all but moved with stealthy precision, hearing every single breath that had been held in its wake.

The owl moved through the night without a single sound. It was patient and had enjoyed watching the mouse dance and flail around as if it thought it owned the hour itself. The great winged fowl, beautiful and strong as it was, wise and noble, slowed it’s flight until it almost hovered over the haughty mouse.

The mouse, ignorant to such a magnificent creature, nor fully understanding its power thought it wise to taunt the great owl. The valourous owl never wavered nor swayed from its position. Instead, it watched the mouse with amusement as the mouse attempted to mimic the owl, failing miserably.

The owl, patient as it was continued to watch the mouse with unyielding eyes, circling silently above. The energy around the owl felt like a great happening as if the forest itself was holding its breath, waiting for that moment it would strike.

The mouse grew more bold and brazen, spewing jibberish and careless insults as the owl silently observed its every move. The mouse danced around, laughing at its own jokesto misunderstand the position of the owl. The valourous owl, wise beyond reason continued to let the mouse have its fun as it had no idea it was about to be ingurgitated whole.

Finally, the owl yawned with boredom, growing tired of the rodents unintelligible tirade. The owl thought not of the mouse, but brought its feet forward and spread its razor sharp talons making an oval pattern, stretching its legs forward as it struck the mouse from behind. The mouse shrieked and cried out, begging for mercy but for the owl it was nothing more than a snack.