A metal cage slammed down onto the forest floor. "We'll get 'em this time," a low, rough voice growled. The cage was baited with a juicy sugar glider, and was sure to catch something. An owl.

"Isn't there another way we could clear the wildlife out of the site of the new housing development?" A young Other worried, cracking his knuckles nervously. He didn't admit it, but he thought it was really creepy out here in the dense, dark forest. A bug landed on his leg and he jumped away with a yelp.

"Quiet!" The tough Other hissed. "We don't want to scare them away, do we?" He said this in a sweetened tone, as if he was trying to keep himself from losing his temper.

The young Other nodded hastily, and they set off deeper into the forest to find a suitable place to hang the trap. About a mile into their trek, the older Other stopped. "Here's a good place," he whispered. He hung the cage with the juicy morsel in it on a low branch near a hollow. "Perfect." He backed away slowly, and put a finger to his lips. The Others then were off, back the way they came.
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"Mum, I'm hungry!" a Spotted owlet whined. "I'm hungry!" She stomped her tiny feet on the nest floor, trying to get her mother's attention.

"Okay, I'll try to find you a nice centipede, or maybe a sugar glider for your First Meat!" The mother obliged her daughter's wishes, just to stop her from whining. It was the middle of the day, and all the owl wanted was to get some rest after trying to hunt and finding nothing the night before.

The little owlet was immediately quiet. "Thanks, Mum!" she hooted cheerily.

Her mother churred, and flew off, spiraling down almost to the forest floor. Her eyes were not as keen as other owls, but she prided herself on having hearing almost as good as a Barn Owl. She listened hard, trying to pick up sounds that might indicate a sugar glider- her daughter's favorite- was present.

What was that odd sound? It sounded like something big tramping through the forest. She spread her talons, ready to fight if the thing tried to harm her owlet. This owlet was her only one, after losing the others to badgers.

The sound died away, and the Spotted Owl relaxed. She flew lower, weaving among the pines, to the place where the sound had come from. Even though owls did not have very good noses, she could smell something she was sure her daughter would enjoy.

There was a wonderful, plump sugar glider hanging upside down from a branch. The Spotted Owl came closer, but had to look away when an unexpected glare from the sun hit her. She didn't know what could be reflecting sunlight here, but she really didn't care. She flew up to the sugar glider, eager to bring it home for her owlet.

She didn't notice the silver metal bars until it was too late. The cage door slammed shut with a bang! and the Spotted Owl whipped around, startled.

There's got to be some way out! There's got to! The owl looked around frantically, wishing she knew more about contraptions like these. She heard the stomping sound again, and fear filled her. What if that thing gets my chick? What if it eats me and my poor owlet has no one left to care for her?

The stomping and snapping of twigs got louder and something odd looking came into view. It looked like a tree in the torso, but had weird featherless skin and bulging eyes. The only feathers it had were brown, and were on top of its tall, oval shaped head. Its talons were featherless and strange. The Spotted Owl wilfed at the sight.

She shrank back in the cage, not even bothering to touch the sugar glider as a second, skinnier creature walked (could you even call it walking!?) over to stand by the other one. They walked up to the Spotted Owl, and lifted her cage. Suddenly, she was whirling through the air. She thrashed and twisted, trying to get away, but it was no use.

"No!" she screeched. "I have to get back to my chick! I have to get back to her!"

The creatures put her in some sort of bigger cage that moved, and she was gone.

Meanwhile, her owlet, who had heard the commotion, started whining again. "Mum, I'm hungry! I'm hungry! Mommy, where are you? Where are you? Come back!" the owlet howled, her voice rising to a wail as her mother was carried away from her, probably never to be seen again.