Blogfestivus is a creative writing challenge issued by that tipsy elf Blogdramedy. Twelve days of 144-word stories based on the popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” song.
Hunted
It was the shortest day of the year, and the early morning light was still soft and gauzy, reflecting last night’s light snow – the first of the season. His exhalations condensed before him as he climbed and watched her, his footfalls making a soft crunch that was muffled by the pine needle ground cover.
He had a ton of things to do in prep for the week – food shopping, gift wrapping, getting the guestroom ready, acquiring stocking stuffers. Which he supposed was why he was out here – to blow off a little steam. He raised the scope and spotted her again. Standing stock still near some dense brush. She saw him, knew he was there.
“Aww, forget it, pup, it’s Christmas for everyone. Let ‘em go!”
Heading Home
She yipped and broke, and ran to him, the pair of doves flushing noisily into the brightening sky.
“Let’s go home.”
Stevil 
Yay! No doves or dogs were harmed in the making of this post. I like it!
Penny will occasionally want to hurt a dove, but never during the holiday season… :)
This is a very sweet little story. Damn but I’m going to give it a try. If I eat enough chocolate over the next few days surely all the sugar will rub off on my writing. :-)
Sweet is hard. There’s always a little part of you (well, me) that wants to make it dark and twisty.
Tears sprang to my eyes! Awesome build-up. So much suspense in such a little space.
Thanks for the happy ending! :)
Thanks Lauri — I was trying to not make it too obvious where I was going. :)
I loved this! So sweet and I love the picture, too.
Your stories make mine sound like they were written by a serial killer or something. :)
Thanks Amy — it’s hard to be nice, rather than dark and twisty naughty as I usually am, but sometimes it works… :)
Now that’s a really Christmas story! And I love the photo, too. Someone really loves the snow! :)
Thanks! Snow yes, cold not-so-much!