The Road

Micro fiction by Laura J Snyder

            There it was, cutting through the forest. An unwanted invader. The solid surface was like a flat rock that gets so hot in the summer heat it burns the pads of his feet. Bob sucked in as much air as his teeny lungs would allow. At some point he was going to have to cross the road. 

            The forest was silent, except for the trees rustling, but no sign of those horrible contraption’s humans ride around in. He sat back on his rear, stroking the fur of his tail, trying to calm his nerves. His teeny paws were shaking now, nerves flying everywhere.

            A bird cawed overhead from a tree, Bob, being a squirrel was not well versed in bird, but something told him the bird was mocking him. Sure, judge me, thought Bob when you can just fly over.  Nothing is coming out for you.

            Okay, he needs to get this over with. He was expected on the other side and he couldn’t sit here forever wallowing in his fear.  Besides nothing had come by the entire time he sat by the side of the road trembling.

            This was it.  He looked left, right, then to the left again, and nothing.  Time to go.  Eyes closed, and heart going crazy, he ran.  With all the might of tiny legs, he ran.  There it was the rumbling of the pavement, the roar of the car.  It was coming for him.  RUN!

            Relief came as his paws hit moss, missing the beast by mere moments. Panting heavily, Bob looked back. Why is that it only comes when he goes across? Nothing for most of the day, but when he needs to cross, BAM. There it is. He gave the road one last glare and disappeared into the forest.