Clockwork cats clawing at the dawn.
My father shot it. I stepped on the wings, pinning them to the ground. Gripping the feet and tugging them firmly upward rends the fragile bones from the rest of the body. Stomach, intestines -- all of the unneccessary parts spill away. We left them by the side of the road for the bears to eat. I kept the tiny heart in my hands. It continued to beat until I climbed back in the truck.