Hidden Fury | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Hidden Fury | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ann Stocking
10/30/14
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Dori kicked off her shoes and dropped her keys on the bench by the door, resisting the temptation to sit down. No rest for the wicked. Or is it the weary? Whichever, I have chores to do.

After changing into jeans and a hoodie, Dori headed to the barn. There was only her old horse left, almost too old to ride, but too much a friend for Dori to put down. Jax nickered as she forked hay into his stall and filled his water bucket. "Poor boy. I promise, we'll do something on Sunday." He pressed his head into her chest as she rubbed his blaze. Suddenly, his ears pricked forward.

"What is it?" She stroked him until he relaxed. "I better finish my chores. 'Night, Jax."

She fed the chickens--only six remained of her flock--and decided on scrambled eggs for supper. Again. Maybe, she could salvage some late spinach from the garden. As the sun dropped behind the trees, the air chilled, reminding Dori she needed firewood. She split enough to fill the woodbox and made an armful of kindling. Lighting the fire, she thanked God for His provision. Every dollar earned from her part-time jobs was a blessing, even if she had to buy day-old bread. And hay, one bale at a time, for Jax.

As she fried her eggs, Dori heard a car door slam, but there was nothing in the yard but her rusted Ford Fiesta. Must have been the fire popping.

She washed her plate and peered out the window into the shadowy dusk. I thought I switched off the barn light. When she was halfway across the yard, she heard Jax whinny shrilly, and she ran. Jax was prancing in his stall, wild-eyed.

"Whoa!" She unlatched the stall and caught the trembling horse. "What's wrong, boy?" Dori rubbed his head, calming him, and she almost fell asleep, leaning against his warm shoulder.

After switching off the dangling, dusty bulb, Dori closed the barn door. Frost had transformed the yard into a garden of diamonds in the moonlight, but Dori had only a moment to marvel. Across the bejeweled grass, were footprints. Somebody's here.. She dashed to the woodshed, intending to grab the axe.

It was gone.

I know I put it away, because I told myself it needed sharpening.

Like hot pincers, fear nipped at her insides. A knowing. Sweet woodsmoke, drifting lazily from the chimney, turned bitter in her lungs as she sped to the house. Jerking open the door, she threw herself inside and shot the lock.

"Aren't you going to say 'hello'?"

Dori turned. "You!"

The scruffy man didn't flinch. "That's not a very nice welcome, Dori, but you never were one for being nice."

"I'm calling the police."

"With this?" He brandished her cellphone. "You know, Dori, you shouldn't leave stuff lying around. You never know when you might need it."

"Get out."

"Aw, Dori, you're hurting my feelings. Be a help now and tell me where my stuff is. I already found this." Dori saw then, the axe gripped in his hand. "Who's been using it, Dori? Find someone new to boss around?"

"I need no one."

"You mean no one needs you. Let's go." He pocketed the phone and waved the axe. Dori opened the door and stepped aside to let him pass.

"Where's my toolbox?"

Dori thought swiftly. "In the barn."

"Don't be smart. I looked there already."

"It's in the tack room."

Jeff pushed open the barn door and switched on the light. Jax was snorting and tossing his head, pacing in his stall.

"Still got that idiot horse, I see. Should have gone to the canner years ago." He shoved Dori against the wall.

Jax flattened his ears. With a mighty crash, he lunged through the ancient planks of his stall, sending bits of wood flying, and went straight for Jeff. Dori turned away.

Jeff hollered as the horse cornered him, and Dori covered her ears. After what seemed like forever, it was silent, and Dori felt Jax's lips in her hair, heard his gentle nickering in her ear. When she turned to hug the old gelding, she saw the long splinter of wood piercing his chest.

"Oh, Jax." The horse dropped and rolled onto his side with a groan. Dori knelt, holding the noble head and caressing the velvety muzzle. "Good boy. You're my good boy. We're all right now, Jax. Good boy."

Outside, the frost glittered like frozen tears.

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