Sir Gilbert's Mother

The pitch black phantom edged towards us, bolts of purple lightning zig-zagging around us. My mother Falinia’s breathing was hard and ragged as her tail wrapped around me. Me. The only cub with no friends. Everyone thought I was a monster. A tiger could never get friends. They are carnivores. Don't get too close, boys. He'll eat you. Tamari, the young buck I grew up with. The young buck who everyone thought was adorable. The young buck who made my life hell.

Falinia tried to roar at the phantom. His night-black slime oozed from his body, bubbling from holes in the tentacles, like sprinklers. My mother's hoarse voice did nothing. The phantom’s tentacle shot out, and hit her in the head. She fell to the ground, and I saw blood pooling around her head. The phantom shot away to attack more animals. He obviously thought a cub couldn't survive on his own. But my mother had less chance of surviving than I did.

Her breathing had stopped. Salty tears fell onto her orange fur. My tears. I heard a hoarse whimpering. I looked around. I thought a wolf or fox had been injured, but I was all alone. Then I realised the whimpering was mine. My mother was gone. My mother, who packed my lunch every day. My mother, who cried on my first day of school. My mother, who sang me to sleep st night. That tiger was gone. In her place, there was a pale corpse. I will make you proud mother. Your little Gilbert will make you proud.