A Hollow Scene

Scritch. Scritch. The sound of the plastic sword dragging on the concrete sidewalk was enough to draw the attention of any early-morning-joggers and restless wanderers.

“Excuse me ma’am, is everything ok?”

Oysters close their shells when threatened. Gazelles use their highly developed legs to run away from predators. Squids spray a cloud of ink to hide from danger.

“Still dressed up for Halloween?”

Drip. Drip. The red liquid stained a path across the sidewalk.

“I think your costume is leaking, miss.”

Defense mechanisms are inherent in every animal. And humans, more than anything else, are animals. But what happens when you meet a predator you can’t defend against?

“Sorry to bother you, but it looks like your costume is ripped.”

Trespassing is a misdemeanor in New Jersey. You can’t force yourself into somewhere you shouldn’t be.

“Late night party?”

Rip. Tear. That costume took forever for mom to sow. Who told you you could do that?

“Aren’t you cold in that?”

Alcohol is a depressant that impairs brain function and balance.

“Damn teenagers…”

When a vulture stumbles upon a corpse, would you expect it not to feast? The corpse can’t fight back. But aren’t we more than vultures?

Ruff! Arf!

Canines can pick up the smell of blood much better than people.

“Down, boy! Sorry about that, miss.”

Lack of denial is not the same as acceptance.

“You may cross.”

The walk didn’t feel so long with so much to think about. You almost walked in the wrong house. You don’t belong there. But I suppose it doesn’t matter too much. After all, it didn’t stop him.

Fin.