Life in the Countryside #OurAuthorGang

 A short story by Erika M Szabo

Mary and Michael enjoyed a peaceful life in their cozy countryside home. The spacious backyard and few acres land flourished. Their two large German Shepherds, Tucker and Hazel, took their job seriously, vigilantly overseeing the chickens, geese, and ducks that wandered freely in the expansive backyard. Michael had been raising and training the two dogs since they were puppies, teaching them to patrol the property to ensure safety and protect their animals from predators, whether they walked on four legs or two.

Their neighbors were like-minded people, appreciating the uncomplicated and serene lifestyle their environment provided. No one was bothered by the early morning chatter of roosters or the lively songs of birds. The bleating of lambs and goats contributed to the natural symphony that welcomed them each day.

Mary sat on the porch, enjoying her morning coffee and the serene beauty around her, feeling thankful for the life they had created together. It was a stark contrast to the city's hustle and bustle, but it was their own slice of paradise, and they wouldn't trade it for anything. Michael soon joined her, carrying a plate of freshly baked scones. While enjoying their breakfast, they talked about what they would do for the day. They chose to spend the morning working in the vegetable garden and then enjoy a peaceful afternoon reading and unwinding under the shade of their prized walnut tree.

As the day progressed, Mary and Michael's tranquil life was unexpectedly interrupted by some unsettling news. Their neighbor, George, drove into their yard on his way to town and asked, "Have you noticed anything missing from your property recently?"

"No, why are you asking?"

"Well, five of my chickens vanished from the coop this morning, and Charlie said two of his were gone yesterday."

"It might be a stray fox or coyote. They're common predators around here," Mike suggested.

"I doubt it. I talked to Joe down the road, and he mentioned two of his ducks went missing without a trace the day before yesterday. I'm heading to town to discuss it with others. You coming?"

"Absolutely!" Mike replied enthusiastically, kicking off his gardening boots and stepping into his sneakers.

They drove into town and heard similar stories from other neighbors they met at the Pub.

“It can’t be a coyote or a fox. There weren’t any feathers or bloodstains around the henhouse,” one man said.

Another farmer added, “It’s like the birds just disappeared into thin air.”

A stocky man exclaimed, "One of my piglets disappeared three days ago, and I haven't heard a peep. Even my dogs were quiet all night, and those monsters usually wake me up a few times a night because a leaf falls off the tree or an owl hoots nearby."

George, while scratching his stubble, concluded, “Now that you mention it… My dogs were strangely quiet all night. It’s definitely a two-legged thief, and the dogs might even know who it is. We need to keep watch!”

Everyone was anxious and uneasy about these strange events, as nothing like this had ever happened in their peaceful community before.

When Michael got home, he sat on the porch with Mary telling her about what he learned in town. Just then, the mailman pulled into the yard with his small white car, and getting out, he walked up the steps and handed a stack of envelopes and newspaper to Michael. “Beautiful day,” he smiled.

“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” Mary asked.

“Thank you, but I have to go. Lots of mail to deliver,” the mailman turned and started walking down the steps. “Enjoy your afternoon.”

As he drove down the driveway, Hazel and Tucker followed the car. They usually followed every visitor’s car or truck until they reached the road and turned, but this time they stopped halfway. They stood looking down at something and Hazel let out a short bark. “Wonder what they’ve found,” Michael said and walked toward the dogs.

The dogs standing over a piece of raw meat drooled but didn’t touch it. They were trained to start eating only when they heard the German word, essen (eat).

Michael picked up the meat and took it up to the porch where Mary sat, waiting to find out what the dogs found. “I bet this meat is spiked with something to make the dogs sleep,” Michael mused. “The neighbors said their dogs never barked the night their livestock went missing.”

“That dirty weasel!” Mary shouted. “So, he’s the thief!”  

“This is no proof, we have to catch him in the act. I'm going to stay awake tonight," Michael resolved.

“I’ll stay up with you,” Mary said, quickly forming a plan. “We’ll sit on the porch hidden by the rhododendron bushes. Tonight is the full moon, we’ll see if anyone comes to the property.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Michael smiled. “Let’s do it.”

That evening, Mary and Michael settled on their porch, Tucker and Hazel lying at their feet. To fend off the cool night air, they wrapped themselves in blankets, sipping hot tea from a thermos and nibbling on snacks. Meanwhile, the dogs remained vigilant, their sharp senses attuned to any potential threats in the air.

They sat quietly, their eyes scanning their surroundings. The idea of an intruder sneaking into their tranquil neighborhood and robbing their neighbors was disturbing. Hours slipped away without any hint of suspicious behavior. The only noises were the natural ones—crickets chirping, owls hooting, and leaves rustling every so often. Suddenly, Hazel perked up, sniffing the air and giving a gentle snort. Tucker rose, his fur bristling. Mike placed his hands on the dogs' heads to keep them quiet as they detected faint footsteps.

Michael kept a firm grip on the dogs, determined not to let them bark and reveal their hiding spot. The sound of footsteps intensified, and soon they saw the shadowy outline of a man pausing beneath the walnut tree. Mary and Michael exchanged anxious looks as the figure stepped into the moonlight, moving toward the fenced area where the henhouse and pigpen were located. "Hazel, Tucker, pay attention!" Michael whispered to the dogs, capturing their focus.

The dogs stood attentively in front of Michael, their eyes locked onto him as he softly commanded, "Track. Tackle. Hold. Go!" The dogs stealthily moved through the shadows of the flowerbeds toward the fence, where the man was struggling with the gate's lock. Just as he managed to unlock the gate and step through, Tucker sprang forward with incredible speed and brought him to the ground face down.

The man yelled in terror and attempted to crawl away, but Tucker pinned him down, growling, while Hazel bared her razor-sharp teeth just inches from his face. Paralyzed by fear, the man didn't dare move. Michael and Mary quickly approached with a flashlight, and when they illuminated the man's face.

"Well, would you look at that!" Michael remarked. “Mailman in the daytime and a chicken thief at night.”

"Wait, please, let me explain!" the man pleaded.

"There's no need for an explanation right now. We've caught you in the act," Michael stated firmly.

“But wait!” the mailman begged. “Paul, who owns a restaurant on Main Street, made me do it. You see, I lost a lot of money playing cards and borrowed from him, and he said I could pay him back in livestock. I had no choice.”

"So, Paul thought he could serve us our own livestock for dinner, huh?" Mary huffed. "I'm calling the police," she said, pulling her phone from her pocket.

Michael put his hand on Mary’s arm. "Hold on, don't call them just yet. We'll contact them in the morning, along with the neighbors. Everyone needs to know, and Paul has to pay for his crime too."

"But..." Mary glanced at her husband, concern etched in her expression. Michael winked at her before giving orders to the dogs. "Tucker, Hazel, behalten, uhr (keep, watch)!" he commanded while Mary turned her head to hide her smile. 

Hazel sank onto her stomach inches from the man’s face, eyes locked on the thief, while Tucker stretched across the man's back, growling whenever he attempted to move.

"Let's go inside," Michael said, wrapping Mary in a hug. "He's not going anywhere, and we can have a nice breakfast."

"I have a nice piece of liver in the fridge. I'll cook it for the dogs," Mary whispered, glancing back.

"They deserve it," Michael smiled as he watched Hazel swish her tale and a long drop of drool landed on the man's face. He was too scared to wipe it off.

Erika M Szabo

https://authorerikamszabo.com

Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative and educational and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.