Red In The Morning

Chapter 5

Bitzer gazed out the window, huffing a deep sigh out, the air from his mouth hitting the glass and leaving condensation on it.

The fire was lit across the way, and Shaun stood before it, heating his hooves.

He didn't expect to stay at this old lady's house for too long, but he couldn't get Bitzer to budge. He exhaled heavily, tired from the journey already and wanting to go home, but like it was said, Bitzer did not want to.

The old lady stood in the small cosy kitchen, her kettle boiling on the stove. When it had reached one hundred degrees, the water inside started to bubble up at the top. She smiled softly, and with weak hands lifted the kettle up and poured it into a pot, along with two teabags.

She used her spoon to stir the tea, before placing the lid on the pot and placing it on a tray with some cookies.

As she entered the living room, she placed the tray down on the coffee table, and Shaun blinked, looking over to the food. He could hear his stomach growl, and gave a nervous smile, walking away from the flames and to the treats and drink.

He poured himself a cup and bleated at Bizter. The dog looked over at him, and Shaun pointed down to the second cup, asking him if he wanted any.

Bitzer shook his head and turned his eyes back towards the snowy yard outside the window.

Shaun crossed his brow and poured Bitzer a cup anyway. If the dog wasn't going to take care of himself, then Shaun would do it for him.

The old lady came in with a mug of milk, and Shaun had a drop of it in his tea, along with Bitzer's cup. The sheep picked it up and felt the heat go through the cup's porcelain to his hooves. Shaun's eyes widened from the scorching tea, and he hurriedly placed it on the window sill Bitzer was leaning against.

Bitzer's ears perked up a little when he saw the tea, and his eyes only fell down to the ground, nervous about taking it. But his stomach was hurting, so he knew his choice, whether it being a choice at all.

He picked up the cup's handle and sipped the hot tea. It went down a treat and warmed his insides.

The elderly lady picked up the plate of biscuits and held it to the dog and sheep.

Shaun bleated happily and took two chocolate chip biscuits. Bitzer envied the sheep, as dogs could not it chocolate, it being poison to them.

When the lady saw Bitzer's worried look, she gasped, realizing that truth and headed into the kitchen to get a packet of ginger cookies.

She handed them to the dog, and Bitzer nodded his head calmly, saying with his eyes that she had done good.

Shaun sipped his tea and only gazed into the fire. The flames were flaring up with their orange and red lighting, the logs beneath them being turned to ash as they fed on the wood to keep alive.

Things felt peaceful in this house, but no one was making any attempt to talk to one another... each just keeping to themselves.

The old lady came over to Bitzer, and pat him on the shoulder, pointing out to the yard at something.

Bitzer couldn't see properly because of the fogged-up window, but the old lady seemed saddened after her gesturing to the outside world.

She patted him twice on the shoulder, before hobbling away back to the kitchen. Shaun listened as he could hear her washing up dishes. He felt bad for her, as she was so feeble looking.

He stood up and came in to help her with the load.

She shook her head, insisting that this was nothing, but Shaun didn't care. He knew she needed help.

Bitzer finished his tea and placed the empty stained cup on the sill.

He sat up and went outside to the frosty cold world.

He looked the direction the old lady had pointed to and headed that way. He soon discovered what she wanted him to see.

There was a small tombstone with a laminated photo stuck to it. The dog looked closely and saw the picture was of a collie. He read the words on the tomb, as it told of the dog dying a few months ago. It made Bitzer feel a pit in his stomach.

So she had also lost a loved one in the last few months. That realisation jolted something inside Bitzer.

When he came back into the cottage, he saw Shaun laughing with the old lady as they finished up the dishes and were just cleaning around the kitchen.

"Baa!" Shaun called over to Bitzer, and the dog waved at him, acknowledging that he heard. The dog went over to the lady, who had a tired but happy expression on her face... and gave her a hug.

Shaun bleated surprised, the old lady looking down to the dog and smiling, tears in her eyes.

She hugged Bitzer back, closing her eyes as a tear or two slipped down her cheeks softly.

Shaun found the scene endearing, and he patted Bitzer on his shoulder, asking him where he had gone.

Bitzer let go of the old lady and pointed Shaun to the backyard. The sheep turned that way, and followed by Bitzer, went to see what the dog was directing him to.

When the sheep had come across the grave, he sighed heavily. So much death... the only constant in life.

Shaun put his arm around Bitzer's shoulder, as the two both looked at the tombstone.

They suddenly heard a call in the distance, and the two snapped out of their sombre thoughts, heading back to the warm cottage.

But Shaun had never got to tell Bitzer of his sighting of the farmer. Afraid to bring it up, but knew he should.

He just needed to find the right moment.

And many a moment weren't right... but sometimes, that was just life.