Tail from Templton

       It was a chilly December afternoon. A cold breeze blew across the village of Templton as the dark clouds hid the sun in the background,sheltering it from the horrific events that would unfold that evening.
                        Soft tones of a country song issued from the radio of an old taxi. A middle aged man with a wrinkled face sang along the radio as he steered the car. However, his jolly mood wasn't shared by the passenger who kept brushing his thick mustache with a stern look on his face.
"Just stop next to that barn" The thick mustache man said pointing towards a shabby red barn at the corner of the street.
                           The taxi screeched to a halt as the thick mustache man got out of it. He slammed the car door and started to walk down the road.
"Excuse me sir,excuse me! You didn't pay!" The middle aged driver hurried behind him.
"I don't pay for anything." He responded with a sneer.
"Well sir! You have been riding the taxi for the past two hours, you owe me $120." The driver said in his squeaky voice.
"You owe me $120" He imitated the squeaky voice and then advanced towards the driver who didn't back down.
"How about you make me pay,you little swine!" He yelled flexing his muscles.
"I don't want any trouble sir!"
"Then get the hell out of here!" The thick mustache man roared and he spat on the driver's face.
                         The driver was humiliated, anger surged inside him as he wiped his face. He moved his hand inside his pocket and fingered a long silver knife. He pulled out the knife with a swish and brandished it in his opponent's face.
"Pay up now or I will make you" He squeaked louder than ever, anger filling every part of him, leaving no room for fear.
                        The thick mustache man took a step backward as he glared at the driver. He slowly put a hand in his pocket,drew out a $100 bill and threw it towards the driver. The driver knelt to pick it up but at that moment, he launched himself forward on top of the driver. Both men struggled as the driver swung his knife in all directions. The thick mustache man ducked the knife and landed a punch on the driver's face making his nose splatter. Blood gushed out as the driver fell down with a heavy thud.
                    "Was $120 worth dying for?" The thick mustache man stared down with a grin as his hands tightened around the driver's neck, trying to choke him to death. The driver struggled for breath as he inhaled a mouthful of blood, every part of his body ached. He felt everything around him fade as darkness began to engulf him. His weak old body was beginning to crumble and he knew the end was near. He closed his eyes and a picture swayed in front of him. He saw his children and wife waiting for him and at that moment he knew he couldn't die,he had to put up a fight. He tried to pull off the hands that were grabbing his neck but the grip was too strong. The driver gasped for air as he looked around,the knife was only a few feet away. He moved his right hand frantically finally feeling the tip of the knife. Mustering every last bit of strength,he plunged the knife in the thick mustache man's leg. A howl of pain filled the air as the driver felt the grip around his neck relax. The thick mustache man was swaying around, clutching his thigh as heavy drops of blood dripped from his left leg. The driver crouched forward and limping heavily made his way towards the taxi.

Hearty Desires

                       

               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.

Click to read another short story.