Snow White.

That’s what came to mind as I spotted the droplets of red dotting the bright, white snow. The contrast was striking. A deep apple red against the soft white glow of the powder.

What had happened here?

I followed the slick red streaks up to the wood line and contemplated whether or not to enter into this mystery.

The footprints beside the blood were indistinguishable. The falling snow and the struggle of the victim had left them unclear.

I decided to venture in and took a moment to scan the field behind me: one last glimpse of safety.

Stepping into the tree coverage, I walked about ten feet before I found her.

A small doe lay motionless in the blanket of powdered snow, her eyes frozen in an eternally frightened stare.