A flash of red!

A gunshot!

The scarlet bird spiralled downwards. A loud screech echoed across the valley. It gave one last spin before it soared upwards again.

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In the forest below a man swore. He reached for a bullet and began to reload, but by the time he raised the rifle’s sights the phoenix was gone.

Another man slapped him across the back of the head. “That bird took 3 days to find.”

The shooter grumbled and began to pack up the rifle. “We’ll find it again.”