The Cornered Rat

Rat

The rat will not escape this time. I will make sure of that.

As it scurries across the bones of its predecessors, I lay in wait, ready to pounce.

It rounds a stalagmite and disappears for a moment. Then I see its pink nose and long whiskers twitch out to sniff the air.

I don’t move. I don’t want it to see or smell me.

The rat begins to skitter forward.

I settle back onto my haunches, ready to