Ben's Hen

To Kill Or Not To Kill

Monty huddled over his hands and didn't move. He stared without stirring. As frozen as a popsicle still in the freezer on a cold, winter's day.

Ben crept closer. Has my cockatrice finally killed someone? What would that mean? Would he know like the taste of murder? Would he attack me on sight? Is he even a he? ...How does one tell these things with lizards?

As Ben's thoughts wound through the brier patch, he kept his eyes focused on Monty, waiting for any sudden surprises.

Unfortunately, that meant that the green-skinned goblin got the drop on him. The short creature tumbled from the tree branches and pounced on Ben, driving him to the ground.

"Oof. Get off!" Ben flailed with his arms.

The goblin was stronger than he looked. ...Well, since he looked like a child, that wasn't too difficult. He grinned, exposing pointed teeth. "What's the matter, precious?"

"Lemme go!" Ben squirmed beneath the weight of the goblin. Finally, dislodging his tormentor, Ben lifted the small creature by the legs and twirled in a circle. Dizzy, Ben let go, releasing the goblin in an arc.

The poor creature sailed into a tree trunk and squished his face with dull crack. The goblin groaned, and slid down the bark, leaving a trail of blood.

Ben dusted off his hands. "Serves you right for attacking a human."

The goblin held his head and groaned.

Ben turned toward Monty. "Unhand my cockatrice!"

Monty didn't move.

Ben took a step closer.

The cockatrice screeled. It wriggled free of Monty's hands.

Ben poked Monty's shoulder. "Petrified?"

The cockatrice landed on Ben's shoulder and nuzzled its head against his cheek.

Ben frowned at his pet. "What did you do?"

Monty sneezed. He rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. He glared at Ben. "You!"

"How...why...I thought...?"

Monty grinned and pointed to his eyes. "Contacts."

Ben kicked Monty between the legs and ran.

Monty doubled over and shouted curses at him while Ben slipped through the brambles and escaped deeper into the forest.