CLUCK!

The Awakening

I wondered groggily why I had heard not the mighty call of brother cock declaring the sun's arrival, being instead roused by the clanking of a cage door opening somewhere close by. Rubbing my head against my wing I glanced around, discovering that Mordecai, along with most of the others within their own cages, were still sound asleep. Uriah, however, was no-where to be seen.

Clambering to my feet, I staggered over to the door, blinking away the pawing claws of sleep and staring in wonder at the fact it was still night. How long I had slept I could not say, yet I felt within my wary limbs that barely an hour had passed. Then I heard them, their voices carried by the breeze as they rose in prey.

Spying the chicken whose awaking had stirred my own, and following his trajectory, I caught sight of Jethro, his congregation, with Uriah standing reverently at their forefront. Watching them pray, raise their wings to the heavens, and drop hoarded grains at Uriah's feet, with keen intent, I grasped what it was they were doing, and turned to Mordecai, shaking him awake.

Groaning, Mordecai raised his head, letting out a soundless yawn, "What is it brother?"

"Uriah," I said, flustered, "he's going tonight."

Mordecai needed no further prompting; with these words he lifted an ear, caught wind of the preys, and sprung towards the cage door, leaning his head out and beholding the congregation for himself. "Damn fool!" He cursed, stamping his foot.

"We must stop them."

"You go on ahead," Mordecai said, hopping out of the cage, "I will get some help."

Leaping out of the cage, I flapped my wings to slow my descent, and landed with a soft thud on the cold stone floor beside him. Nodding in agreement I took off running toward the congregation; gathered before the coup's entrance, they stood in rows, with Jethro at the front and Uriah before him, his face solemn as he looked over the flock and lowered his neck to feast upon the offerings.

"Stop!" I cried, reaching their rear and pressing my way through.

Halfway through the congregation realised my intent, and obstructed my route, placing themselves before me, and blocking my progress. Then, nearing the forefront, I was brought to a complete standstill by several chickens, who encircled me and raised their wings, boxing me in place. Any and every attempt to squeeze through was met by hostility and brute force, shoving me back into their centre.

"You mindless fiends," I shouted, kicking at one and missing. "Let me through!" I took a swipe at another.

"Bring him forth," Jethro spoke up from somewhere beyond them.

Closing their ranks, my captors squeezed me on all sides, forcing me to march forward – the congregation parted, allowing us to pass by. Then we came to a halt, and he who stood at my front, his beak dancing before my own, and his eye's elated with victory, stepped away, revealing we had reached the forefront of the crowd. Jethro stood there, with Uriah not to far behind; our eyes locked for a few moments before he returned to gorging on the offerings.

"What brings you here, brother?" Jethro questioned, his face calm and welcoming.

"Wipe that false smile from your face," I said, his relaxed demeanour furthering my fury, "and let my brother go."

"He is not here my any other accord then his own," Jethro replied, his smile broadening in what I saw as an attempt to aggravate me further.

"You're lucky that your goons are here, or-"

"Or what?" Jethro cut-in, stepping closer, the smile on his face waning. "You would attack me? Hmm? And force your brother to leave with you against his own will?"