Chickens of The Dawn

Nightmare

     Mist shrouded her vision and Jenny stood, her muscles aching.  Where was she?  At her feet was not the forest floor she had passed out in, but a velvety surface the colour of birch bark.  She noticed that her wounds were still fresh and bleeding scarlet blood, but she no longer had her sword at her side. 
The fog was dense, and her keen eyes couldn't see anything.  Tentatively, the hen stepped forward.  She didn't want to get lost from where she was in case her hens were nearby. 
Her hens.
Guilt struck her and she exhaled sharply.  Maybe they were better off without her.  She had tried to be this perfect image of a leader, but in all honesty, she was terrified.  She had never acted like herself around the others in fear of them doubting her.  After she passed out because of a dead body, Jenny was certain they would be disgusted by her. 
She continued to step forewarn hesitantly, planting her feet firmly before she moved on.  The mist didn't clear after fifty steps and the hen began to feel nerves swarm in her stomaches like bees.  She then had a thought and jumped in the air, flapping her wings and trying to see over the white fog.  It bent the air beneath her feathers as she forced the moisture away. 
"Well it took you long enough."  A voice chuckled behind her.
Jennifer froze.

It wasn't possible.

It was not possible.

"Don't be too happy to see me."

Jenny's eyes watered and she pivoted around.  "Hawthorn?" She murmured.
There he was.  A handsome mottled rooster with a dark purple comb.  His eyes were glistening like stars and he looked happy as ever.
Her brother smirked and opened his wings.  "C'mere Jen."
Not hesitating, Jenny flung herself into his outstretched wings.  Expecting to be met by flesh and feathers, she wasn't anticipating to glide right through him and face plant into the ground.
"Tsk, tsk, Jenny.  We have to work on that.  Trust comes in many shapes and sizes, and you are naive."  The voice had changed dramatically.  No longer was it her beloved brother, but an unknown female stranger.
Instinctively, the hen reached for her sword, only to remember it was mysteriously missing.
"Who are you?" Jenny jumped up, her feathers puffed out and her tone menacing.
The figure was shrouded in the surrounding mist, but it turned into her view.
Jenny gasped as she recognized the chicken. 
"Your worst nightmare." The hen threatened darkly, a sullen scowl on her features. 
The chicken went up in smoke and the mist cleared.
Then the world faded to black once more and Jenny fell through the velvet mist and down to a veil of reality where she snapped awake.

"Jenny?  Are you awake?" Slate asked hopefully.
Jenny opened her eyes and blinked to clear her sight. She was panting heavily and she gazed at Slate.
"Where is she?" She asked the dark grey hen.
"Who?  Lennox...?"
Jenny straightened. "What?  What's wrong with Lennox?"
"Jenny... Are you alright?" Slate whispered nervously.  Jenny then noticed that Slate had tears in her eyes.
Jenny didn't respond and found her feet, getting up.  She looked around at the structure they were inside.  Dirt was between her talons and a dry, wood roof over her head.  It looked like the inside of a tree trunk.  It wasn't exactly spacious, but Jenny counted all but three of her hens. 
Then the memories hit her like a blow to the head.
Crows.
Lennox.
Slate gently guided Jenny to the opening of the hollow.
Slate exhaled shakily and blocked Jenny's view for a moment. "I don't want you to pass out when you see this. Can you do that for us? The group needs you."
Jen narrowed her eyes, but nodded.
Slate stepped out of the Ameracauna's line of sight, and Jenny gasped with horror.
It was the same clearing they had taken refuge in, except now it was littered with corpses.
Several crows were slumped in the dirt, their throats sliced or their wings torn off, however that was not what caught Jenny's attention.
"Lennox?" Jenny called, her voice cracking. The orange hen's body was laid on the ground, her neck twisted at an unnatural angle. Her wings were no where to be seen.
Without thinking, Jenny rushed out and fell to the ground beside her dead friend.
"NO!" The hen screamed.
"Jenny!" Slate hissed from the tree.
Suddenly there was the distinct call of a crow, and Jenny's gaze snapped upwards. A black figure was circling.
Tears now streamed down her face as she stood, seething. "COME DOWN HERE YOU DAMN MURDERER! I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL DESTROY YOU!"
The crow cackled and rounded downwards, aiming glistening death talons at the hen.
Jenny took up a prepared stance, feeling ancient blood flow through her. Her mind was jumbled and raging, but she slimmed her feathers and readied to kill.
The crow landed ten steps in front of her, black eyes glittering with malice.
The ebony bird shook his head in disbelief. "You want to kill me, chicken? You must be out of your mind. I'll give you credit for trying, but haven't your 'warriors' seen enough blood? Just give me your sword, and I'll leave you be."
My sword?
"Don't talk to me with your evil tongue and your slithering words. Fight me."
"Jenny, Jenny dear. So eager for revenge. Shouldn't we talk about us?" The crow strutted around her.
"I see nothing to discuss." Jenny growled coldly, trying to still her trembling legs.
"Us, Jenny. Me and you. How about that dream?"