56 Trees and Toes

Afternoon drew on, slowly fading into evening. Below a large oak tree a rabbit hopped through the first fallen leaves of autumn. It stopped at a shape half buried in the ground, sniffing the air cautiously, its little bunny nose wobbling cutely.

There was a movement in the air, and with a dull explosion a shape appeared nearby. The animal, panicked, scampered off through the woods and straight into the waiting jaws of a hungry fox.

Totally uninterested in the wonders of nature, Ichabod stood over the shape lying on the forest floor. Eventually he poked it with his tail. The shape groaned.

"Still alive then," said the imp.

Another moan.

"The Overlord sent me to ask how your hunt is going. From your position I'm going to assume my report isn't going to involve words like: 'Target achieved' or, 'Subject terminated with extreme prejudice'. Shame, I always wanted to say that."

"Bugger off," came the reply, in a voice full of pain.