Short Story: The Hunting

The emptiness of the Farmers' Market haunted her. The bazaar would fill with farmers by tomorrow's first light, but tonight it was barren and lifeless. She had scoured the trash heaps, but others had gotten to them first, and there was no food to be had.

It was getting late. The moon was rising, and nearly full. It shown brightly, and lit the bazaar in white brilliance. She avoided the moonlight and the vulnerability it brought, and crept through the protection of the shadows. In the alleys near the bluffs, her hunt had been rewarded.

She silently stalked her prey, watching as it approached. As it wandered near her, its head raised as instinct warned it of danger. There was nowhere to hide. It froze as she leaped, then began to run. Theena grabbed up the rat and threw it against the wall before it could bring its teeth to bear. Picking up the quivering rodent by the tail, she spun it in a tight circle that ended as the creature's head struck the wall for a second time.

It was a fat little thing. They were always fatter near Hillside. Dropping the rat into her sack, she continued picking through the rotting garbage. Her stomached rumbled angrily at her yet again, but Theena ignored its demand. She would need at least one more to feed them tonight...

Read the complete story in Visira: City of Sorrows