24th May 2019 - 15 Minute Fiction Friday

Weeks he had toiled through vines and woodland, desperate for escape.

Fighting the elements had become commonplace; universal deprivation had left him decimated and even now, as his journey appeared to have approached its close, an opening in sight, he saw them: predatory pearls of green from the ravine below.

His head sunk. Fight or flight had been a nothing phrase only weeks ago, but now it would be a decision to secure his life.

The beast growled, arching its back.

He smiled to himself weakly; one last fight then. He clenched his fists and faced his challenge, head on.