The Enemy

Lurking in the thick vegetation, the enemy waits patiently for nightfall to begin its hunting. By the time darkness comes, its prey will be in place, unsuspecting and in that darkness, the enemy will leave its shelter ready to hunt.

Silently, it will stalk its prey, using its senses to locate its precise position. Noiselessly it will get closer and closer, stopping to scent the air, checking position and proximity, noting where others of its kind are also approaching.

Satisfied, it moves again, making its final approach and when it is close enough it leaps into action, jaws clamping down on its prey as it walks all over it. The prey struggles to escape but there is no escape. Others sense the struggle and home in, joining in the feast. More and more come and it is the end.

And by morning when we go out into the garden, the plants we had so lovingly put into the earth the day before are but leafless stalks.