In the deep midwinter

(a fictional story)

The forest floor was glittery with the first snow. Twinkling icicles created a glowy feel that spread across the branches of each tree. The air was calm and the sky was quiet, as if the earth was taking a much needed rest after the busy year. Below the snow and dried up brush, the forest animals were fast asleep as well, cuddled up and warm, bellies full because of their preparation. High above, an Owl sat nestled in a sturdy thick branch, sheltered from the bright morning sun. Peace had overtaken the valley and all welcomed it with open arms.
“IT SNOWED!!!” a yell echoed from some distance away. The sound of heavy boots crunchy the perfectly crisp snow began to fill the air. “vvvvvvvvvvrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooooommmmmm” a snowmobile began to speed across the valley swerving from left to right, cutting tracks across the field.
“Mother, do you hear that!” a small squirrel sprung up from their slumber. Mother’s eyes quickly jarred open and she pressed her ear to the roof of the burrow. Vibrations rattled her head as the mobile steadily approached. “Quickly children, to the cellar!” Mother cried out as she scooped the babies up in one arm and opened the cellar door in another. The family of 8 climbed down deeper into the earth and mother shut the cellar door tight behind them and latched the lock. “Go back to sleep little ones.” Mother instructed as she pulled her little ones in closer and closed her eyes, out of earshot of the destruction that was about to rain down on their home.
The snowmobile engine cut off with a click and the forest is quiet once again. “Oh little buddies! Where are you!? Come out and play with me! It’s your buddy, Oliver!” he calls out in a disgustingly sweet tone.
Owl, startled and wondering who dare wake her during the day, opens her eyes and stares at the little boy. He must be about 10 or 11 years old, face covered in chocolate, and bundled up in some swishy plastic snow gear. The boy is walking around the forest looking under rocks and peering behind each tree and bush. What seemed like curiosity quickly showed itself as something else entirely as the boy’s face lit up with a grimacing smile. Opossum’s tail was hanging out of the hollow tree that was being used as a shelter from the winter cold. With one swift movement Oliver reached up and yanked Opossum out of the tree, above his head, and hard onto the ground. Owl watched as…

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