Alex and his siblings were huddled together under a blanket as the rain splattered against the windows.They were lying on an antique bed, set at the corner of their grandmother's room.The shabby room was lit by a few candles,with every strong gust of wind the candles flickered and made them fearful of the darkness that would surround them if their only source of light was extinguished.The soft ticking of grandfather's clock was drowned by the howling wind and blistering rain.
Alex raised his head slightly and gazed across the room,after squinting for a few moments he figured it was half past ten. His feet were cozy but he still felt irritated by the velvet socks his mother had made him put on.He wanted to stay up and listen to the ghostly sound of the storm but his eyes were starting to close and after a few minutes he drifted into sleep.
The croaking of a rooster woke Alex up,he rubbed his eyes and yawned.It was still really early in the morning,he slowly got up and made his way towards the kitchen.A crackling fire greeted him in the kitchen.Standing next to the fire,a woman in her late 30s was busy cooking something on a stove, there was a grey tint to her hair but the face still appeared young and her bright blue eyes twinkled as she smiled at Alex.
"Good morning dear! Your breakfast is almost ready" She said pointing towards the stove.
"Good morning mom!" Alex replied sitting on one of the leather chair in the kitchen
Alex was peering down at his velvet socks with a disgusting expression on his face when a sharp sound made him look up.His mother was sharpening the kitchen knife by rubbing it against another silver dagger.
"Really mom! You have to do it right now?" Alex protested.
"Yes, I have to! Your aunt Katherine is visiting this afternoon.I need to sharpen this knife so I could use it to butcher the rooster" She replied scratching the knife harder against the silver blade.
"What? No way ! You can't do that.We have had Rickie for over ten years and he is the only rooster we got" "Rickie" was the nickname Alex had given their Polish brown rooster.
"Now don't be silly dear! That rooster is getting old, it is of no use"
"I don't care! He is a pet,you can't just kill him!" Alex shouted back and before his mother could respond, he stormed out of the kitchen.
Breathing heavily, Alex made his way towards the chicken coop.He couldn't let his mom do it.Having raised the rooster himself,Alex was deeply attached with Rickie.He unlocked the chicken coop and grabbed Rickie gently.The rooster nibbled his finger affectionately as Alex patted his thick coat.
"Don't worry Ricky! I won't let anything happen to you! I promise!" Alex said determinedly.
"Hey Alex! Alex! Mother is looking for you." George, Alex's little brother shouted from somewhere in the distance,
"What does she want?" Alex yelled back.
"Why don't you go find out for yourself"
Alex thought about letting go of the rooster but then decided against it.He made his way towards the kitchen, with Ricky tugged under his arm.
"George said you were looking for me" He muttered stepping into the kitchen.
Alex's mother was still sharpening the knife,she paused and turned around to face him.
"Oh dear!" She sighed as her eyes fell upon the rooster tugged under Alex's arm.
"I am not letting him go."Alex said strengthening his grip around Rickie."Why can't you just buy the meat from the market."
"My sister wants to taste fresh organic meat.She has had enough of market meat"
"Rickie is my best friend and I won't let anything happen to him"
Alex's mother peered at him for a while.
"Alright dear,I won't do anything to that rooster.You can drop it outside and eat your breakfast."She said in a kind voice.
Alex, however gave her a suspicious look.
"I promise" She said, opening the kitchen door.
Alex was busy playing hide and seek with his sisters when someone knocked at the door.He heard his mother open the door and thank someone.Curiosity getting the better of him,Alex abandoned his hiding spot and dashed outside.His mouth fell open as he saw a white Orpington rooster held firmly by his mother.
"Mom! That's a stunning looking rooster."
"Thank you dear! I hope it would also taste stunning" Alex's mother replied with a wink.
"What?" Alex said confused.
"Well since you are so attached with Ricky, I will be butchering this rooster instead."
As Alex's mother strode off towards the backyard, Alex stood there wishing he could save that rooster too.
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