Angler

The angler tried his luck again. This trout, he swore to make it his again. This angler, he only fished for the fun of the chase, and because he knew he could make the trout his again. He and the trout had history, he had managed to catch this trout three times before but all three times he released it after getting it.

With three wounds in its lip where the angler's hook pierced, the trout swam around the bait, wondering whether it should bite or swim away. It knew it could get other food elsewhere, but there was just something about the bait that this angler dangled that made it sweeter than any other kind of food.

The trout swam closer, wondering if it could get the bait without getting hurt. Hey, i think i can do it, the trout thought. And it bit.

Swoosh, went the line as the trout flew into fresh air, landing with a thud into the angler's awaiting arms. It's okay, it thought, at least i have the bait in my mouth. And as the angler rejoiced in his victory, the trout lay there gasping, it had a choice, to spit out the bait or to die faster. So it spat it out, the angler maneuvered the hook out of its lips and as the angler threw the trout back into the lake, the trout drew its dying breath.

The angler tossed it in and packed up to go. He walked away, contemplating another date with the trout, the trout lay belly up.