Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Huntress


Trifecta: Week Sixty-Three

This week's word is:

PATH
1: a trodden way
2: a track specially constructed for a particular use
3a : course, route
  b : a way of life, conduct, or thought

Please remember:
  • Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.
  • You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.
  • The word itself needs to be included in your response.
  • You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above. 
  • Only one entry per writer.
  • Trifecta is open to everyone.  Please join us.



The forest floor was thick with decaying leaves, the gnarled trees that shed them yearly loomed over an often followed animal trail. She trotted south along the track for several hours, stopping regularly to verify that she still had the scent. 

She came to a fork in the trail, one leg still pointing south, the other veering to the east. 

East, she could make out the first blush of sunrise. Her ears sorted the clicks of beetles scuttling in the deadfall and squirrels scurrying in the canopy.  The forest's daytime crew, roused by the morning clamor of robins. 

South, darkness retained its grip. Yet, no night thing scuttled.  An unnatural hush crowded the bedimmed trail. Trees bent, limbs stretching down, as if to block the way. 

She cast a envious glance to the east, then chased the scent into the shadowed silence. Her path had been chosen for her long ago. 

14 comments:

  1. I so want to know what's going on beyond these words! Such an intriguing start!

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  2. Very well written. Nice mood setting.

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  3. I love the imagery, especially your descriptions of the beetles and squirrels. I want to know what it is she's after!

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  4. We both went the way of hunters... :)

    I also loved the imagery in this piece. I'm curious as to who the "she" is, a human, an animal, or a combination of both.

    The only concrit I have is the first sentence reads like it should be two, with a period instead of a comma.

    My favorite line is with where she "chased the scent into the shadowed silence."

    Here via trifecta.. and lurking. :)

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  5. Nice images, Renee. I liked the easy flow, and got into your story. The scent of What?

    I do not think I would have used 'scuttled' twice, so close together.

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  6. You do such a good job, keeping the reader pulled into your words.

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  7. Your descriptions are outstanding. You have a way with words!

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  8. Reads like a snapshot. Mesmerized by the idea of a hush crowding a trail.

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  9. The last line makes me want to know why/how the path was already chosen.

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  10. Loved how she "trotted"-as if she was in no hurry,enjoying the thrill of the chase-beautiful imagery-I could almost see the forest.And did you also allude to Frost?That fork in the trail:-)Wonder what animal "she" is or an animorph?Great job:-)

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  11. wow the description and your choice of words is lovely...you've successfully transported the readers into that time and place

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  12. I love the forest daytime crew. You do such a wonderful job of bringing the dawn forest to life.

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