The Hunt

The dragon swoops this way and that, a ghastly searchlight backdropped by the bright stars. Rock dig and scrapes at me from all angles in this cramped hiding place, but even so, I'm struck by the beauty and majesty of the terrible beast. It's astonishing that a creature so enormous can make the sky.

When I leave, I'll be in plain view. Yet the longer I stay here, the greater the risk it will eventually fly back and find me, smell me out. The memory of its hot breath huffing from those cavernous nostrils, singeing my hair and skin... I tremble.

I shouldn't dwell on that, or I'll be frozen, unable to run when I must. I should go now, before it turns back this way. I'm waiting for the right moment, I lie to myself.

It stops its methodical back-and-forth flight, and makes a tight circle, snout concentrating on a spot lower down the mountain. Then... It's going to turn this way... I waited too long! I missed my moment to flee!

I clamp both hands over my mouth, because I don't think I'll be able to stop myself crying out in fright and giving away my position. It's getting closer. I can smell it. The wind is favourable, bringing it's reptile stench to me, rather than my scared human scent to it. That's lucky, but it could change in a moment.

It flies past me! No more meandering. Arrow straight, back to the spot it found me. I can think of only one reason why it might do that. The Queen has not waited to see whether I returned before dawn. The soldiers are already bringing another Candidate up the mountain.

I should help her. Or him.

Part of me laughs hysterically. It's good I'm still stopping any sound leaving my mouth. What help could I possibly be? I barely got away!

Nobler, surely, to hurry to the castle before they send any others. Ten lives saved...

I hurry down the mountainside, cursing my clumsy feet and the thunderous pebbles they shake loose. When the screaming starts, I send a silent apology to the poor wretch I'm leaving to die, alone and in agony.

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Word count - 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and authors note.)

Submitted on Tuesday 17th September at 21:53

The story behind the story: The story behind the story:

I aim to write these so that you can enjoy them as stand alone stories, or one after the other. If you'd like to do the latter (they're all very short):

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 261 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January. In one week, I will have less than 100 days to go to my goal!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I will do my best to respond to each one and reciprocate the reads.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here is a recent Top Story of mine:

My new Dollar Challenge! It closes on the 30th September. Please give it a look:

Here's my reflections on recent challenges:

My look back at August:

And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!