by Curt Cagle
Chapter 5
The pair slowly came into view as they pushed through the grass. Their heads were low and their tails tucked between their back legs as they walked. Peace’s head also pulled to the side a bit as he tugged his supplies along. It seems to Cooper that every dog in the place was growling. They stopped near the bloodhound and she said, “Do you wish to explain yourself?”
Cooper tilted his head to the side then answered, “This is Peace. He’s my friend and he didn’t have a place to stay tonight. His father died at the stream too, and he’s been put out of his pack.”
“Too bad! That’s not our problem,” yelled a little Chihuahua, and most agreed. It yelped, “He has no business here.”
The bloodhound raised its paw again and asked, “Is that all you have to say about it?”
“No, there’s more. I think all of you liked or at least respected my dad, Patches. He taught me to love my enemies and to be kind to those who persecute me. Was he wrong?” The crowd was quiet. They had no answer because they had been taught the same thing. Cooper continued, “It’s just for two or three nights, till he can prepare for his new life.”
The basset hound spoke up, “This coyote did help Cooper this morning at the stream when some other coyotes were about to attack him. I vote that he can stay for two nights, if for no other reason than a gesture of gratitude for helping Cooper.”
“I too think that would be appropriate,” the bloodhound said, “let’s put it to a vote. All in favor?” A few dogs barked but most abstained from voting. “Any opposed?” Asked the bloodhound. None were determined to go against the idea. “Get him set up in your corner of the barn,” the bloodhound said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Cooper replied and they walked into the barn amid an occasional low growl.
Cooper showed Peace over to their doghouses and introduced him to his mother and sister. “What do you have there in the purse?” Clover asked.
“I really don’t even know yet. I haven’t looked. My mother gave it to me. She said it was supplies. It seemed a little silly to me.”
“Oh, it’s not silly, it’s sweet. Come on over. Cooper, I think your dad would have wanted you to take his house and Peace can take yours.”
“Sounds good, Mom.”
“Peace, put your supply bag in the doghouse and both of you go eat some rations where they spill out. Everyone’s very tired and we need to go to sleep early.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they both said.
They ate until they couldn’t eat another bite, then lay down. “What you think about your house?” Cooper asked.
“Roomier than it looked at first.” Peace jumped to his feet with a startle. “What time is it?” He asked.
“About sunset by the looks of it, I suppose. Why?”
“With all the stuff going on today, I almost forgot.” Peace came out of the doghouse so he could stretch his nose to the sky and began to howl and yelp.
Cooper really wished he would say his prayers quieter, but it was over soon enough. “You’re not going to make many friends around here if you keep that up.”
“I can’t help it. I have to,” he said. “All good coyotes pray at certain times.”
“Whatever, dude. I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
They settled into their houses and got comfortable. It had been an exhausting day, both physically and emotionally. All were asleep in no time.
At dawn, Cooper yawned and stretched before coming out of the house. The sun wasn’t up yet, but it was plenty bright. The dog ration from the previous evening left his mouth dry as a bone. He strolled toward the trough in the center of the barnyard to lap up some water. He noticed that Peace wasn’t in the doghouse, so he figured he had needed water as well. He trotted a little faster to the barn door for concern that other dogs might be mean to him. When he turned the corner at the door, he was met with complete devastation. Twenty or more dogs were lying around the trough, presumably dead. With them were two coyotes.
Cooper began barking loudly and alerted the rest of the dogs. They were out in the barnyard in seconds. Cooper was in a panic as most of the dogs were with the discovery. He saw the two coyotes, one lying with its head on the other’s abdomen. He recognized the smaller one on top as Peace and ran to him. Peace was still alive, but barely.
“Peace! What happened?”
“Don’t worry,” Peace said weakly. “Mom just told me that all good coyotes go to heaven.” With those words Peace’s head slid off his mother’s abdomen and he died.
Cooper was in shock. The world seemed to be spinning. He saw things in a type of slow motion. Faces were blurred as he stumbled over the dead dogs on his way back into the barn. He must have passed his mother and sister in the barnyard, but if he did, he didn’t recognize them. He wandered in curving paths to his doghouse. He lay down in front of it and couldn’t help but whimper. The voices of the other dogs became more coherent as the shock of the massive death scene had more time behind it. He heard things about the fence and about coyotes in general. But his heart was too heavy with all his recent loss to care much about what they said. He lay with his head to one side on his paws. His old doghouse was directly in front of him and he could see clearly to the back. The supply purse that Peace had brought along with him seemed different. It seemed empty. The curiosity got the better of him and he went into the doghouse to take a closer look. He grabbed the flap that covered the storage area and pulled it back. As he suspected, the purse was empty, or almost empty. At the bottom of the purse were two small stems of hemlock.
THE END
Author Commentary
How far will you trust? How far should you trust? Where is the line drawn between goodwill and self-preservation? For the Christian, it goes a step further. Which is the greatest responsibility; sharing the gospel of Christ, or protecting one’s family?
It’s a universal tenet of the Christian faith that God can redeem and “save” anyone if only they accept the truth of whom and what Jesus is. One of Christ’ final instruction to his followers was to “go” and “make disciples”. This has been done for over 2000 years with varying degrees of earnestness and enthusiasm. Many have paid the ultimate price of this commission by taking to heart another of Jesus’ messages, where He said that “whoever loses his life for my sake, will find it.”
On an individual one-on-one basis, many still would be willing to risk their own life for the sake of the gospel. However, is it proper to risk one’s family and one’s country? There is no doubt that we should “love our neighbor”. Jesus illustrated through a parable that we are all each other’s neighbor. This highlights a problem. It’s difficult to know which neighbor is bent on your destruction in which is willing to coexist. Perhaps a lifestyle of situational awareness and a healthy dose of suspicion and caution would put into practice the words of Christ, when He said to His followers, “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
The world needs His message of love now more than ever. May we each have the spiritual discernment to know how to proceed in a dangerous world.
Other Books by Curt Cagle
RETREAT
The Battles Trilogy, Book 1.
RETRIEVE
The Battles Trilogy, Book 2
RETRACE
The Battles Trilogy, Book 3
All are available as an e-book or in paperback
Thank you for your interest in my writings. I’m honored that you find them of value. I would be grateful if you would give of your time by posting a review. As an indie author, it helps.
I can be found at the following:
Email – [email protected]
curtcagle.com
twitter@curtcagle
r: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
