The apple. Round, shiny, red with a hint of yellow and possibly quite delicious. No, definitely delicious, as most apples tend to be at this stage. And absolutely tempting, a pair of beady eyes eyeing it with hunger.
The eyes blink and the nose under them sniffs deeply at the air. As if to get a feel for its prey, which is sitting on the table, oblivious of the danger it's in.
A small hop, then others following in quick succession. Swift and nimble, the creature is on the hunt, though there is no obstacle, no competition, between it and its prize.
It reaches the table and hides beneath it, its heart beating loudly in its little chest. At last! The apple it's been dreaming of, defenceless, within reach, oh my!
Cautiously, the predator lifts its eyes over the table's edge. The apple is there, inviting and desireable. With trembling hands, the apple thief reaches out. And hesitates. Dare it take this holy grail of all fruits?
But perhaps the apple wants to be eaten. Why else would it sit there, forgotten on a table at the end of the world? The apple... has been waiting. Maybe for just this little creature to snatch it up and bite into its juicy core. So the little apple thief smiles. There is no need for an apology. With sure hands, it takes the apple and disappears into the mist.
And all that remains is an empty table at the end of the world.
