Sacrifice

I freeze when they emerge: two cubs accompanying their mother out of the woods, nosing the lanky grass, their progress benign but intent. In another life, another form, I could have been a bear lumbering languidly across the wilderness seeking sustenance for my brood. Then and now, I mean no harm. Then and now, neither does she. Yet I know she would fight to the death for the innocence beside her; at the dawn of life, they know nothing but her protection.

I step backwards slowly, grip my whistle, close the door, and watch as they tear down the birdfeeder.

From Guest Contributor Faye Rapoport DesPres

For the prompt Frontier

Frontier

The steep hills and rugged terrain bordered the frontier. Untamed wildlife lay ahead as I stepped into the wilderness on my hunt for food. I promised my wife we’d make a good home. It’s difficult at times, but we managed.

I heard an ominous sound nearby; crunching branches. I turned and pointed my rifle. Before me stood a grizzly bear at least ten feet tall. He growled and started toward me. I pulled the trigger and he fell into a heap. He let out his last breath and stilled.

He was protecting his home; I couldn’t fault him for that.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

For the prompt Frontier

Frontier Wedding

The ship glided into the harbor, though to call the pair of ramshackle docks a harbor was about as generous as calling the leaky coastal steamer a ship. As with everything in here, the practical concern was always whether something got the job done, with never a consideration for aesthetic appearances.

This was exactly why Hannah had elected to make the voyage. She may not have been the prettiest to look at, but she got the job done. And despite her family's wealth, the only suitors she'd been presented with had been incompetent blowhards.

She'd rather marry a sled dog.

For the prompt Frontier

September Is Frontier Month

Here’s a gentle reminder that the (purely optional) prompt for September is Frontier. Stories somehow related to the frontier or the edge of civilization will be bumped to the front of the queue.

Interpret the theme however you like, but please let me know in your email that it’s being submitted as part of the prompt.

Thanks and I loo forward to reading your stories.

That is all.