The sun was hidden behind the only cloud in the sky and bathed the forest in an eerie half-light, although it was mid afternoon. Everything was peaceful. The comfortable lowing of cows, the whispering of leaves and a warm breeze filtered through branches. The silence was broken by the loud crack of a twig as Jan walked down the sunburned path towards the water bank. She jumped, startled at the sudden snap. She thought a …showed first 75 words of 499 total…

…showed last 75 words of 499 total…finally she ran into the arms of a man, walking his dog. He had grey hair and his eyes crinkled into a smile. "There's a cow.... Wild..." she stuttered "A cow? " he laughed "Come on up to the farm for a cuppa. That usually helps" "Thanks" At cockcrow the next morning, the remains of a man, lay rotting in the sun by the riverbank, close to a fishing rod and bag. The beast slept, content.