Normally she’s safe in her hutch, munching carrots, but today there’s only a swinging cage door and tufts of fur snagged on the wire. He hopes the fox granted her a quick death.

At the evening meal, he prays for her soul while his mother smirks and serves the stew.

Mark Farley is attempting to write 1,000,000 words in 2016. Please wish him luck! See more at mumbletoes.blogspot.com.