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GUARDIAN OF THE WOODS

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SANGEETHA KAMATH

The mists rolled, blurring the peaks yonder until they were only a faded outline on the dusking horizon. 

The crisp autumn breeze rustled the leaves of the Sycamore and Birch trees, lulling me to sleep.

I woke up with a start under twilight skies. The full moon was in all her glory bathing the woods in an ethereal silver shine. Fully alert, I listened hard to what seemed like muffled sounds of distress.

Up on my feet in a jiffy, I raced along with lightning speed in the direction of the unusual sounds which weren't heard in these serene woods for ages.

There he was, with a menacing look, pinning a hapless young girl on the ground, choking her to death. It was clearly a losing battle with her strength failing her.

His eyes widened and he let go of her as he heard my sinister growls. My eyes glowed like embers in the darkness. 

On this night, I was sinewy and thrice my normal size, with jaws that could rip pounds of human flesh with one crunch. 

He met his end in this manner!

When the girl came to, all she saw was a free-ranging dog nudging her awake. 

(Word Count 200 excluding the title)

©️ Sangeetha Kamath 

Pic Courtesy: Anupama Dalmia/Beyond The Box 

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