Chickens of The Dawn

Predator

If there were another creature feared more by chickens other than man, it would be dog. That afternoon, Jenny saw it. A great beast with silky linen fur and a ginormous head, huge paws that could crush a skull in an instant. The creature lumbered around the field, stopping and sniffing the ground for no particular reason. The chickens laid low in the tall grass at the edge of the field, those with weapons at the front. They had luckily found an old piece of steel and fashioned three more make shift blades by repeatedly smashing it with a rock and using Jenny's sword. Now six of ten hens had means of defence if anything happened. The flock had been resting peacefully, drinking in the warm scents and eating these wonderful tasting insects, when a short, abrupt bark rang across the land. Immediately, Jenny whisper-yelled at them to get down and sneak forewords. They were a bit clumsy and loud at first, but soon realized there was a threat and made more of an effort. Jenny now gripped her sword and ducked her head lower as the dog prowled closer. She had seen the farmer's daughter's dog once, a small, caramel coloured animal with a long snout and hazel eyes. The creature tipped and played, posing no apparent danger to the birds. This creature, though, looked savage. It trotted towards the flock, parting its mouth and displaying a gleaming row of ivory white teeth. The chickens held their breaths, not daring to move. The dog stopped and raised its head, inhaling deeply. It had a stocky build, its body covered with grey, black, and white fur. The great animal was about thirty chicken steps away, with what it could cover in seconds. Jenny thought that this was the end. They had come such a little way, only to lead her comrades t their dooms within the first day?
Fate had other ideas.
Suddenly, a human appeared close behind, carrying a long, red rope. It called out meaningless nonsense to the dog, but the animal seemed to get the idea and reluctantly retreated back to the woman. As soon as the pair were out of the field, Jenny and the others exhaled with relief.
"Goodness that was absolutely terrifying honestly I think my heart is going to explode, can you hear it? I think that dog could hear it, yeah, that's why it came over, oh dear goodness I am so sorry, Jenny please forgive my idiocy, I am so stupid I shouldn't have been afraid, I am a chicken of the dawn and I should be brave--" Bethany rambled on hysterically.
"Shut up." Jenny slapped her with a wing. "I was scared too, dummy. We all are shaking from fear right now. Yes, I know that was a dog. You signed up for this."
Bethany sighed dramatically and sank to the ground, her wings limp. Jenny didn't know what to think of this, and decided to ignore the shocked hen. They were going to need to be strong to get through this, so they needed to toughen up. The young grey hen pondered this for a moment before realizing it wasn't in her character to be harsh. She was softer than this, a more compassionate soul rather than a hardened soldier. Maybe if everyone showed every one a bit of kindness, then one species would not have to fight for freedom from the other.  So she went back on her decision and turned to face Bethany, who still lay crumpled in the grass.  The red hen stared at sky with some sort of hopelessness.  Jennifer approached her and held out a foot in offering of help.  "I think if we are gonna do this, we should do it together.  As real Chickens Of The Dawn."
Bethany eyed the outstretched talons warily, then glancing up at Jenny.  The red hen sighed again and shook her head.  She chuckled softly and reached for Jenny's foot, pulling herself up. "That was a pretty big dog." She laughed. 
Jenny snorted with amusement. "Yeah, I guess it was." 
The other hens, who had been watching from the side, nodded their heads in disbelief.  "Bigger than Jeffery's tail!" Ann remarked.  The group burst out laughing and continued on their way, savouring the happy moment.
They soon left the field behind and came upon an immense wall of bramble.   Slate and Jenny scouted out either side, but it seemed that the easier option was to go directly into it and come out on the other side.  After some effort, they picked their way through, only to find that a very big forest stood in their way.  Great pine trees, bigger than they ever dreamed, towered above them.  Branches jutted out here and there, some dead, some sprouting new growth.  Jenny then had a glorious idea and attempted to jump on the lowest branch, finding it was quite easy.  The other hens followed her lead, knowing that the sun was soon going to disappear behind the horizon and leave them in darkness, opening them to predators and the elements.  The trees would offer more shelter and safety than on the ground, and the flock slowly ascended upwards until they were closer to the top of the tree than the bottom.  They split into two groups of five and took up two branches, snuggling up together.  The light of day faded away in the blink of an eye, and the nighttime world came alive.  In the distance, Jenny heard a wolf cry out, and suddenly there was a choir of howling to go along.  The sounds sent tremors deep in side of her and made her shiver.  She was a bird of sunshine and light, and night did not suit her.  Lennox and Slate perched on either side of her, their eyes closed.  Jenny knew she wouldn't get a wink of sleep, but shut her eyes anyway.  The moon shone over the land, casting shadows and making everything look ominous and eerie.  Sleep enveloped the young chicken, and her last thought was Hawthorn's handsome face smiling up at her.