The Beast

The Beast that Jack Killed

Peter's arm hung tattered,
sickly slapping
like a wet blanket.

They'd mourned a father
in his piece of nature
but mountains reject
such ghosts.

Jack screamed and shot,
9 to go.

The massive hide turned from Peter
towards the pain.

Peter stumbled.

Jack told it to die
and shot
and shot,
7 to go.

The paws clawed
earth and raged towards

Peter closed his eyes.

Jack cursed and shot
and shot
and shot
4 to go.

It stopped bewildered
as it bled
and bled.

Peter bled into the dirt

Jack ran,
the snarls followed
with a shaking movement.

It roared and swiped
Jack fell and shot and shot
exploding its lolling eyes.

No shots to go.

Peter was dead

And Jack wept
as the beast's lungs
heaved and tumbled.

Bits of fur and shrapnel littered the ground.

Jack picked up Peter
and carried his bones home.

MGB