Chicken thief. You gut our white hen, eat choice pieces, leave her belly up for the owls and maggots. Emboldened, you sneak back a second night, climb the fence, find the coop locked. So you steal cat food, scavenge compost, sleep in the barn. Oblivious to the box trap, waiting.
Shirlee Jellum is a retired English teacher who publishes fiction, nonfiction and poetry, most recently in Persimmon Tree, Quarter(ly) Journal, WordPeace and several anthologies.
Chilling end to a devious ne’er-do-well. “Good riddance to bad baggage,” as my Poppa used to say.
Great story, Shirlee ☺️
Thanks! One of the many challenges living on a farm.