Ch 3 Transported

In the dark Deron tried to keep breathing. It was difficult, with the pressure being applied from all sides by the enormous number of cattle. (NOt to mention the incredible stink of the beast occupying the space with him!) The cave floor felt like it was moving below him. Air whooshed and occasionally the cave turned and hopped. Deron was very confused. He tried to question his fellow captives, but to little avail.

“Hey guys. Do you know where we’re going? Do you know why they captured us? What happens when we get to where we’re going?”

All of Deron’s questions were answered in the same way, with another question.

“When are we gonna eat again?”

“Anybody got any food?”

“When did you eat last?”

“Wonder what we’re going to eat when we get there?”

It seemed that aside from being dull-witted, these beasts were also gluttons. Deron couldn’t help but shudder from time to time. Only his thoughts of home and his herd kept him going.

After an entire day, and what must have been an entire night, being unable to move, eat, sleep or drink Deron felt his sanity starting to slip, and panic set in. He pushed mightily against the flesh surrounding him, tried to jump over them, and stomped at the ground as fiercely as he could. None of it did any good. The cave remained dark, and Deron remained stuck. He was about to give up hope, but then something about the cave changed. It bumped more, and turned more, and something scratched along the sides. Suddenly the whole thing seemed to come to a rest. The cattle exploded!

“Foooooood!”

“We’re gonna get to EAT!”

“I hope it’s hay!”

“I hope it’s barley!”

“I don’t care what it is, as long as there is LOTS!”

The cave opened, and the cattle slowly started out. Deron couldn’t believe they were moving SLOWLY. How could they not just burst through the opening and sprint for freedom?! Deron couldn’t stand it. He clawed and climbed, causing a new flurry of moos to erupt. He managed to climb on top of the bovine. He was running on the mushy flesh, hurtling himself toward the opening of the cave.

He hit the opening at full speed, and hit the ground running. Ahead a wooden fence, in his peripherals a few men. None of which were prepared to stop a full grown bull moose destined for freedom. Deron hit the shabby fence in full stride, and blew it to splinters. In his wake he left drop jawed men and oblivious cattle.

“Hey John,” Bill, the newest hand on the ranch stammered, “Was that a moose just come out of the cattle trailer?”

“Yeah Bill. Sure was.”

“Is that Normal John?”

“Sure ain’t Bill, sure ain’t.”

“Huh. I think I might like my new job, John.”