Gemotions

The metallic tang of fear coated her tongue. She walked the perimeter, her steps quick, her eyes darting from side to side. The ground felt unstable beneath her feet, like she was on the verge of falling. They were gone. Just gone.

She examined the remaining stumps around the area, searching for any clue. A single feather, a glint of metal, anything. Her breaths came in short, shallow bursts.

A garbage truck rumbled down the street. She stood her ground, watching it pass, every sense heightened, every nerve exposed. She felt the need to understand why.