Spiderweb Night

Caiaphas had not seen the wild flash of orange -- but she had heard it. She froze mid pose, her narrow arms outstretched against the rough bough of the tree -- the flat of her elbows pressed against the bark.

The wind moved around them and as Caiaphas strained to listen the leaves fluttered by in scratching tumbles. She tilted her head -- her eyes pressed to the heavens with her breath ragged with exertion.

But she did not see Autumn -- and with a low growl she conceded to defeat, slumping to the ground in a miserable heap as the trees shook overhead and the wind wheeled past her.