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It may be delusional, but I have to think there's something better for me, a purpose, a future. It keeps me from giving up and helps me keep going.

The shovel handle came down hard on the back of his neck sending stars scattering before his eyes. The first blow had surprised him and knocked him to his knees. Now he was on all fours, staring at the sparks fading into the dirt.

Every day is another step toward the future and one day I will see what is waiting for me.

The handle made a loud crack as it hit his shoulder blade. He held steady and waited for the next blow.

Everything I learn today will help me be happier tomorrow.

The strike landed hard at the base of his spine and he moved a hand forward to keep from falling over.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

A reprieve. God loves the good master.

"I caught him stealing this shovel from the shed."

"You idiot, I sent him to get it. And I've told you before not to beat them with anything hard."

"I didn't have anything else."

"Use your belt, stupid. We can't afford to replace him. So, unless you want to do his work, learn."

"Whatever. It's just a stupid throp."

"Hey! I don't want to hear that word. They're morphs. They're good enough to do the work. Respect them and they'll work for you, too."

"Right. Should've got a bear."

"Bears are fighters. You want to fight with a bear all day? Cattle do what they're told, unlike some kids."

"I'm human; I can do what I want."

"You want to beat something up? Go tear that stump out of the ground."

"That's morph work; you told Clod to do it."

"It's your work now. Go on; take the shovel; the axe is already out there."

"Fuck that; I'm using the chainsaw."

"Not in the dirt, you're not. Go on before I decide you can do it with your bare hands. I'll be out later to help you get the rope tied."

The junior master left in a huff and the bull felt relief, but didn't show it.

"Alright, Clod, get up. Come on, get up."

Clod pushed himself to his feet to stand taller than his dark skinned and bald, human owner.

"Good, you can stand. Anything broken?"

Clod flicked his tail, stretched his shoulder and turned his head, trying to ignore the sting left behind by the handle.

"Good. It's hard to believe you're smart enough to drive a tractor, but still too dumb to avoid Shaun. He'll probably kill you some day and I won't be there to stop him. Come on, let's go see what help they need at the house. It's too hot for my temper; damn kid got me all riled up."

Clod followed his good master to the house, trying not to smile as he thought of the reward he might find there. As they neared the back door, he saw it in the kitchen window. She was focused on washing something in the sink, then turned to look back and laugh. Just seeing her happy was enough to erase all his pain.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"We came to see what help you need."

"Just look at him. You should know better, Jim. Get that dirty thing out of here."

"You heard the boss; back outside, Clod."

Clod glanced at the worried expression on the face of the sweet cow by the sink, then turned and ducked out the door. He didn't get much time with Annabelle, but every second was heaven, even if it was just a glance.

"Alright, then. I guess you should fix up the barn while Truck and Rock are gone. You know where the hammer and nails and everything are. I'll go make sure my son hasn't ripped the tractor apart trying to pull that stump without digging."

The rest of the day was quiet. Clod was able to get the tools he needed without fear and got a lot done before the sun went down. Then Shaun came in.

"There you are, Clod." He spat at the base of the ladder. "You and I have some unfinished business. Get down here."

A moment is just a moment and another comes after it.

The bull morph climbed down and stepped off the bottom of the ladder, but still looked down on his owner's son.

Shaun scowled, "Get down. On your knees."

Obedience is not cowardice; it is the strength to do what needs to be done.

Clod knelt in front of the young man, but kept his back straight, only just shorter than his master now.

"Just because my father thinks you're useful doesn't mean you're safe. I can make any excuse, ANY , and you're dead. And I'll be thrilled to do it myself. Thrilled."

"Shaun, get in here for dinner. Now!" The distant voice of the good master was comforting.

"We're not done. Get in your stall. Get!" Shaun jabbed the bull's nose with his finger.

To do is just to do; to be, you must believe.

Clod stood up and walked into his stall.

Shaun slammed the door shut and shoved the latch. "Just make one little mistake tomorrow and I'll make sure you're ground beef." He kicked the door and left.

Silence is freedom and peace. Clod sat down on the bales of hay lined up for his bed and listened to the world: the insects, the wind, the creaking of the barn, his own heartbeat, raised voices from the house. He couldn't understand everything, but Shaun was loud.

"He can fucking starve for all I care." "They're just morphs. I'm human, your own son. Don't you care about me?" "They're animals, but you even keep this one in the house." "Fine. I'll starve and you won't even care." After a couple slamming doors, there was quiet again.

The world is chaos; peace comes from within.

Clod sat in silence. Soon he would be able to sleep, then another day would come. Until then, he listened and breathed.

The barn door opened and closed, then the latch slid and the door to his stall opened. Clod opened his eyes and let himself smile as he saw Annabelle walking in.

She sat down beside him and offered the full plate and cup she was carrying. "Mrs Stable asked me to bring you your dinner. Mr. ... Jim had me bring you extra."

"Thank you." He took the plate and started eating, looking away from her as little as possible.

"Shaun was angry."

"Shaun is always angry."

“ He was bad tonight. Maybe we should run away."

“ We wouldn't get anywhere. Remember when Truck tried?"

“ Somebody brought him back. We just won't get caught."

“ And if we do, they would take more than my tail."

“ That was an accident."

“ No, it wasn't. Shaun made me and Rock watch, then he hung it up on the beam to remind us not to try." Clod pointed out the stall door.

Ann gasped at the sight of Truck's tail hanging overhead. “He's horrible. If we stay, I'm afraid he might hurt you."

"He can't hurt me."

"Jim can't always be there."

"As long as you're safe, he can't hurt me."

She blushed and handed him the cup, "You shouldn't think of me that way. We can't be together unless they let us."

"You're here now."

"Only to bring you your meal. Which could be your last. Shaun could kill you tomorrow."

"He told me he is going to."

"Oh no, but what about Jim?"

"He doesn't care what his father thinks. He plans to make an excuse to get his father to let him kill me, but you'll be safe and that's what matters to me."

"But if he kills you, that would hurt me."

"There's nothing I can do to stop him."

"So this could be our last time together."

Clod put the empty cup on the empty plate and set it aside. "I'm glad I get one last chance to be with you."

She stared at him, then looked toward the house, a wall in the way. "I wish they would have let us."

"Maybe they are now."

"But they didn't say."

"Do they have to?"

"Oh no." She kissed his lips and crawled into his lap, opening his pants without a thought. Soon they were joined and lost in the passion of their forbidden love. When he finished, she held him, not wanting to leave, but time kept going. She forced herself to stand up and straightened her dress.

Clod handed her the dishes and watched her leave, latching his stall, smiling back at him through the slats of the stall door until she opened the barn door.

"Ann, get back in here with those dishes."

"I'm coming." She closed the barn door and headed for the house.

"Shaun, go out and get her."

"I'm coming! I'm coming!"

The shadowed black figure that came out of the lit house terrified her and she turned back to the barn. Shaun stormed angrily after her and she dropped the dishes as she opened the barn door and closed it quickly behind. She kept back toward Clod's stall, then the barn door swung open.

Shaun closed the door and latched it, "You cattle throp really need to learn to do as you're told."

Clod stood up as the man walked closer.

"Oh no, you stay put." He put the pin in the latch, then looked at the cow backing away and smiled. "Oh yeah, I've seen how you drool over this piece of meat. Now I get to punish you both by making you watch."

Ann backed against a post and reached back to hold it. "Please don't touch me."

"Touch? Oh!" He turned to the bull with a malicious grin. "Even better. The folks had been talking about letting you two breed. What better punishment than to do it myself, first?" He turned back to the cow, "Get your clothes off."

Ann could barely catch her breath from the fear, "No. No. No. No."

"You don't say no to me." He punched the side of her nose and she fell to the ground.

Clod rushed to the door and it shook from his weight.

"This is even better than killing you." He stepped on her ankle and reached down to throw the bottom of her dress over her head. "Cover up that ugly face."

Clod slammed against the stall door.

Shaun unbuckled his belt. "Relax, Clod. I'm your master and you will do as I say. Because when you don't, just like now, you can watch me take your prize."

They had cut off his horns for their safety, but that didn't matter. Clod charged through the stall door, sending pieces flying, and knocked Shaun against the post.

Ann pushed her dress down and held her ankle, then noticed, "Oh no, you killed him!"

Clod looked down at the man slumped at the bottom of the post with pieces of wood sticking out of his chest, failing to catch another breath.

"Now they'll kill you. They'll kill both of us."

"Shaun. What's going on in there?" Jim tried to open the barn door, then slammed against it.

Clod didn't feel that he had done wrong, but he knew there was only so much good in his master. "We have to run." He ushered Ann to the back of the barn and pushed out a panel he had not fixed yet.

They were not made for speed, but they ran. He knew her ankle must be hurting her, but they couldn't stop. A shot rang in the night and they pushed harder. Another shot and he felt a bite in his right thigh.

Pain does not exist in your heart, only your body.

He moved behind her and pushed her on as the trees came closer. Another shot bit his left calf and he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Ann turned back and tried to help him. "Please get up. Jim's coming."

"Go. As long as you're safe, no one can hurt me."

Another shot whizzed past and she gasped, tears filling her eyes, then turned and ran for the trees.

Love is life; once you have it, you can live forever.

Clod looked back to see Jim running up, reloading his rifle. He turned to the woods and watched the sweet cow disappear into them.

So, this is my purpose.

_ BLAM! _