Red In The Morning

Chapter 9

Bitzer found himself in the dog house, literally. Blondy had chained him to his wooden small house, and the dog sighed heavily as he lay his head on his outstretched arms. Dawn was coming soon, but Bitzer couldn't feel any happiness over this.

Blondy had rung the police about the dead wolf on his property and they assured him they'd be around the next day.

Shaun gazed out through the barn window at Bitzer in his misery. Shaun felt a sinking feeling in his chest. Like he knew what was happening to Bitzer was wrong.

Maybe he should be with the old lady. Being on the farm was obviously causing him great pain. Shaun couldn't sleep well that night, and sighed, closing his eyes in slight ache, wandering over to the dog and tapping him on the shoulder.

Bitzer's eyes were closed tightly, and it soon became apparent that he was trying to sleep but failing.

When he noticed the small tap, he stiffened up and turned his sight onto Shaun.

"Baa," Shaun said, sitting down beside him and smiling nervously.

"Woof," Bitzer muttered lifelessly. He turned around and went into his doghouse, the sound of chains following.

Shaun sighed feeling helpless. He looked back at the barn and saw the other sheep had awoken, watching the two and the drama.

Shaun folded his arms annoyed and walked back towards them annoyed. The sheep all huddled back inside the warm barn, with Shaun looking back out at Bitzer one more time, worried.

Bitzer felt slight heat come from outside, and stepped out of his dog house, looking at the red sun rising over the frosty land.

The dog was tired, but he didn't care. By the sign of the sky, he knew today would be as miserable as the previous weeks.

The rooster stood up on the stone wall and called loudly for the animals of the farm to wake up.

Bitzer only pulled his hat down over his eyes, tired and stressed from this display.

He went over towards the barn with his checkboard but was yanked back by the chain. Bitzer looked to see that it was tied to his collar.

A moment later, Blondy snatched the board off him and rattled the barn for the sheep to get up and out onto the fields. Bitzer watched him, shocked. Blondy just ushered him back towards his dog house.

Bitzer huffed annoyed. He took a deep inhale to calm him and went back into his small house, the chains rattling with every movement he made.

~x~

Blondy poured the feed into the metal dishes and pulled it out to the field, the sheep all walking over to it and filling their bellies.

Shaun didn't feel hungry, in fact, he felt sick to his stomach. He turned his eyes over to Bitzer's wooden house and took a few trots toward it, but Blondy stepped in front of him. He shook his head and lifted Shaun up, carrying him over to the feed.

Shaun bleated angrily and upset, and that seemed to waken Bitzer up from his melancholy.

The dog caught sight of the mistreatment, and barked loudly, furious as he ran to the field, but nearly choked on his collar. The stupid chain!

Shaun was placed down on the wet soggy grass, and the sheep glared up at Blondy. The tall man just laughed and pat Shaun hard on his fluffy woollen top.

He walked away laughing and Shaun only stuck out his tongue, annoyed by him.

Suddenly there was a sound off in the distance, and the sheep looked over the stone walls to see a small old mini car was driving towards the farm.

The windows were all fogged up, but Shaun could just about make out who it was. Through the fogged up glass, he recognize the driver as the old lady he and Bitzer had stayed with.

She parked her mini against the tractor and climbed out on skinny frail legs. She pulled out a cane and dug it into the sloppy snow, walking in small steps towards the house.

Shaun bleated eagerly, running to the stone wall and shouting over at the dog.

Bitzer ignored him, but his ears perked up, listening carefully to the sound of small footsteps. He finally relinquished and looked up, seeing the frail old lady.

Bitzer blinked surprised, and only smiled overjoyed. He jumped up and began to run towards her, but his chain yanked him back.

The lady gasped at the sight. Moments later Blondy stepped out to see what all the commotion was over.

He recognized the old lady from the other day, and approached her, suspiciously. The little lady pointed to Bitzer, and held out a ripped picture of the dog from her pocket.

Blondy glared at her, and she pat her lap, calling over the dog. Bitzer began to happily walk towards her, but Blondy slammed his boot onto the chain, pulling the dog back in pain.

Bitzer coughed in pain, and Shaun gasped when he saw this. He whistled to the sheep and they all nodded their heads. They jumped over the stone wall and landed in front of Bitzer's chain. They looked for where the beginning of the chain was and found it anchored in the ground with a steel peg.

They lined up and pulled the chain with so much force it unbuckled from Bitzer's collar and was yanked from the peg that had kept it in place.

The old lady pat her lap, calling Bitzer over. Blondy became apprehensive and waved at Bitzer. He was trying to get the dog to pick him.

Bitzer looked between the two of them, not knowing where to go.

And that's when he saw him.

The old farmer behind them in the distance, glowing white and smiling kindly to his old dog. Shaun and the flock looked over too and froze terrified when they saw the ghost. It was the same ghost Shaun had seen days ago at the old lady's house.

And Bitzer, well he knew who he was going to run too. Whether alive... or dead.