Moulting Season

by Stuart Docherty

If you are reading this, then it is too late. Another child has disappeared at the zoo. The police enforced a lockdown and began searching the enclosures. Of course, they went straight for the large predators. I heard they will put down a lion. We were given limited access, allowed to continue some official duties. The Humboldt penguins are in the middle of moulting and, while cleaning their enclosure, I found a child’s foot among the fur. I hear them waddle toward the only door, now, the slap of their flippers in unison, and know that I will not escape.

Stuart Docherty

Stuart is a British writer and poet based in Tokyo, where he spends most of his time eating and pretending to speak Japanese.

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