Free Write: Conservation?

DISCLAIMER: This is a story I wrote in response to some recent news I heard six or so months ago. It is a VERY sad short story, and pretty violent.


Heart beat hammering, breath short, muscles aching. Bilo raced from the danger that closely pursued him, his mind in panicked flight as he tore through a thickly wooded hill. Gravity tugged at his lithe body as he plummeted down a steep drop of the hill, feet slipping underneath him on the loose soil. His feet thundered across the forest floor, stumbling over a stone or a dug-up root as he raced for safety. If he just made it back home, he thought desperately, he could be safe, his family would protect him. Escape was all that mattered right now. The danger neared, he could sense it. A shot rang out in the forest, and a bullet ricocheted past his ear, ending it's soar through the air with a bang into a hollow, dead tree. Bilo picked up his race into a lope as he veered in the direction of the lake. Maybe if he took cover in the water, he could escape this terrible evil that pursued him.

What had he done? He just wanted some food. The food had just been sitting around, without anyone to claim it, and just invited him in. When someone wanted to keep their food, they ate it. This food had just been sitting around, without anyone to claim it. It was all fair game for everyone else, seemingly with no owner. It was the way of the woods. All knew it. The hunter had first pick, then the scavengers, then the maggots and insects, and finally the earth and grass fed on its energy. If he gets caught by this angry predator, he'd be a part of that process too...

The lake came into view, and heart fluttered within Bilo's chest. If he got in the water, swimming across could be a safe and quick way of getting back to his family. He wasn't the best swimmer, and neglected to listen to Mrs. Miranai's instructions when he was younger, but no matter. Swimming was supposed to be a natural thing for almost everyone anyway; he'd make it. Another gun shot rang through the woods, but it was far from Bilo, and gave him some comfort of the distance between he and the angered thing that chased him.

Green eyes closed quickly as Bilo lunged from the earth into the frigid waters of Lake Bass. Fish shot in all directions at the sudden disruption in the water's calm surface. His feet paddled desperately in a doggy paddle as he attempted to remember all he had learned long ago. With relief he quickly picked it up, and paddled toward the opposite edge of the water, his head held high to keep water from his eyes and nose. He gasped noisily as he tried to swim faster, tasting the angry creature coming up on him. The animal would soon see Bilo and shoot him with his loud gun, just as his father had been killed before him.


The tall man skidded to a stop at the beach, cursing loudly under his breath as he watched Bilo swim off. He ran along the beach, determined to kill him, and be rid of this trouble. No one stole from him and got away with it. His pistol loaded and ready, he would finish Bilo, and his whole family off right then and there.

Bilo reached the other side, gasping for breath. He listened for a sign of the man, but heard nothing. With a bark of laughter he took of for home, his legs aching from the strain. He heard the voices of his wife, and the playing of his children, and quickened his pace. As soon as he came into view, the whole family greeted him warmly kissing him in excitement of his return. Miss Muranai smiled, her grey hair long and ragged, tangled in thick knots. "How was your swim?" she inquired, noticing the water dripping from a thoroughly drenched Bilo.
"Fine Muranai..." replied Bilo with a nod in her direction, "How were the kids? And Freida? Is my wife back from her walk yet?"
"I'm back," cooed Freida as she wandered toward Bilo, her brown eyes full of warmth.
"Daddy! Watch me tackle Mona!" cried Tela, his black haired daughter, tugging on him for attention.
"NO!" yelped Mona as she raced to get away from her sister. Bilo laughed warmly, glad to be free of the danger that had pursued him.

The howling laughter was enough for the farmer, a sly grin spreading across his face as he raced toward it. He would finish this business once and for all with this nosy, thieving family. He came to the spot in which they leisured about, hiding discretely behind a tree, his rifle ready.

Muranai smelled man first. She growled in response and stood up from her resting spot. Others who lounged about stood as well, including Bilo and Bilo's mother who rested under a tree. It was him. He had lead the evil man directly to his home. "Hurry! Run!" he barked, and turned to face the intruder.

The farmer knew exactly what to do, he stepped out and shot at the group as they attempted to scurry away. First he hit the old gray bitch who stood on a ledge. She had caused him trouble over the years, stealing sheep as Bilo had tried to today. Then, the farmer got the black one in the chest, his hair drenched from his swim earlier. Next were the two whelps, then the mother, her brown eyes full of panic. He finished them all- every last one. His eyes were still keen from long years of shooting practice, and wolf chasing. Slowly, he moved through the massacred, checking to make sure all were done. One of the pups still fidgeted, and he shot again mercilessly, ending its short life.

Finally, it was done. Picking up Freida by teh scruff he grinned. A new fur coat, and some meat for the dogs would be all this pretty bitch would live for. Wolves were better dead than alive these days, especially when they hunted his livestock the way they did. "Thank, God they changed the laws in hunting these sons-of-bitches," growled the farmer, "To think they used to be endangered. They could have been killed off long ago... Gotta love this government. Standing up for the little people, like us farmers...."
With his pistol slung over his shoulder, he turned, walking down the trail back home. He'd come back with the truck and then he'd see what he could do with the wolf pelts and meat. All and all, it had been a productive day on the farm. After all, they were just dumb animals anyway...