early rising

Chapter: Early Rising

The morning air was still thick with dew when Seth and Charlene wrapped up their early workout. ReNew and Heth arrived shortly after, just in time for an unplanned mission—one that involved family and, hopefully, breakfast.

“It’s really early,” Charlene grumbled, rubbing her arms. “The first orb is barely even in the sky.”

As if on cue, a rooster crowed loudly in the distance.

ReNew winced. “Are we seriously doing this? Should we be here? I mean… last time we just showed up, remember?” She leaned in closer. “Are we trying to get shot?”

Seth chuckled, unbothered. “They’re not that bad, girls. This is a working farm—they’ve probably been up for hours.”

“Doing what, exactly?” ReNew asked, eyeing the quiet barn suspiciously.

The girls and Heth started strolling toward the house.

“Where are you going?” Seth asked, confused.

“To get breakfast, of course,” Charlene answered flatly, brows furrowed.

“I said they’re working. On the farm,” Seth said, pointing toward the large red barn. “Come on, you’ll see.”

As they walked, Seth launched into what might have been an informative speech—if not for the timing.

“On a working animal farm,” he began, “tasks vary, but generally include feeding and watering the animals, herding them, health checks, grooming, milking—”

“Dad, please no gross stuff,” Charlene warned.

“There’s also treating sick animals and, well… sometimes removing—”

“No!” Charlene interrupted, groaning.

“We haven’t eaten!” ReNew complained. “Why would you say that before breakfast?”

Heth just laughed, enjoying the back-and-forth. “You were saying, Seth?”

Seth grinned and kept going. “There's also mucking out stalls, administering medication, bedding, and milking—”

“Milking sounds fun. I wanna do that!” ReNew said brightly.

“That’s a lot to do by yourself,” Charlene muttered.

“We could help out today,” Heth suggested. “Pitch in while we’re here.”

“I’m game,” said ReNew.

“Where do we start?” Charlene asked, cautiously optimistic.

“By now,” Seth said, looking toward the barn, “my father should be with the chickens. Let’s check it out.”

Charlene raised her hand and blinked. With a shimmer of magic, everyone’s clothing transformed into sturdy work gear—overalls, gloves, work boots, and even straw hats.

“Thanks, Char!” Heth said, admiring his new look. “Loving this farmer drip.”

They walked up to a structure beside the red barn. A chicken coop, quaint and cozy, sat under a wooden awning.

“This is where the chickens get shelter from weather and predators,” Seth explained. “Although, around here, we’re probably the only predators.”

He smirked, thinking of his mom’s fried chicken.

Sure enough, Odo was already there, tossing feed to the squawking hens. Charlene and ReNew sprinted over to help, scooping up feed and mimicking Odo’s motions.

Surprised but amused, Odo handed them the feed buckets and walked toward Seth and Heth. He gave them a once-over, eyeing their outfits.

“Good morning,” Odo said. “What brings you out here so early?”

“Good morning, sir,” Heth said, shaking his hand. “We’re here to lend a hand… if that’s alright.”

Seth shrugged. “Thought the girls could enjoy the farm. Help out. Then maybe… grab breakfast?”

Odo chuckled knowingly. “Ah, so that’s what this is about. You’re here for Beth’s cooking. Can’t blame you. That woman can throw down in the kitchen.”

He rubbed his stomach and smiled. “She’s making chicken and waffles this morning. My favorite.”

“Say less,” Seth said, already turning toward the house.

“Hold up!” Odo stopped him with a laugh. “Food’s not ready until chores are done. So, thanks for the help!”

He handed Heth and Seth two empty buckets. “Collect some eggs from the coop. The girls are already feeding, so they’ll join me in the barn for milking.”

Charlene and ReNew handed their empty buckets to Odo, then followed him into the large red barn. The heavy wooden latch creaked open as they stepped inside, greeted by the scent of hay and livestock.

“Alright, ladies,” Odo said, stretching his back. “Ever milked a cow before?”

“Never,” ReNew said, practically vibrating with excitement.

“This’ll be interesting then. Who’s first?”

“Me!” ReNew shot her hand in the air like a schoolgirl.

Charlene rolled her eyes. “You’re giving extra right now, ReNew.”

Odo laughed and set a stool beside a patient-looking cow. “Watch me. Start milking about a minute after removing the pre-dip. Use your thumb and index finger to trap the milk at the base of the teat, then squeeze with the rest.”

He demonstrated, and both girls leaned in to watch, eyes wide.

“Alright, your turn,” he said.

ReNew scrambled onto the stool, grinning. “Trap and squeeze, got it!”

She squeezed—and accidentally shot milk right into Charlene’s face.

“Oh my God!” Charlene wiped her face with her shirt, glaring. “Real funny!”

ReNew was cracking up. “Oops.”

Odo laughed heartily. “Y’all are something else.”

“Try again,” he encouraged. “Remember, open your fingers between squeezes to let the teat refill. You’re looking for five dry pulls in a row. And always use a filtered jar to collect it.”

ReNew focused and soon filled her first glass jar.

“Well done!” Odo smiled. “You’re a natural.”

Charlene tilted her head. “Grandpa?”

Odo blinked. “Grandpa?”

“Is that okay?”

He smiled gently. “Yeah, just new, that’s all. What’s your question?”

Charlene glanced around. “Why all this hard work? Couldn’t you just use your powers and be done with it?”

Odo nodded slowly. “You could. But there’s something about working with your hands—something sacred. It gives me peace. I’ve struggled with depression for years, Charlene. Only recently came to terms with it. This,” he gestured around the barn, “helps me. It keeps me grounded. Helps my body and mind stay young. There’s value in doing something simple with your whole heart.”

Charlene was quiet a moment, then said softly, “Thanks for being honest. That must’ve been hard.”

He smiled. “We’re family. That means being real. Now... do you smell that?”

The girls both wrinkled their noses. “Cow poop?”

“No—breakfast.” Odo tapped his mark and suddenly zoomed off in a blur, kicking up dirt behind him.

“Oh no he didn’t!” ReNew shouted and launched into the sky.

Charlene blinked herself onto the porch, arriving just as Beth opened the door.

“Oh my!” Beth exclaimed, hand on her chest. “You’re not who I was expecting! But the more, the merrier.”

“Good morning, Grandma,” Charlene said, kissing her cheek. “In my race to beat them here, I forgot to tell Dad and Heth.”

“No worries,” Beth said warmly. She leaned over Charlene and yanked a rope hanging beside the porch.

Clank!

The sound of the dinner bell rang loud across the fields.

Back by the coop, Seth and Heth heard it loud and clear—and started jogging.

But something else arrived first.

Without warning, a portal tore open near the edge of the barn. Black, smoky tendrils burst out, hissing and writhing like living shadows.

“Heth, move!” Charlene’s voice echoed in his mind just in time.

He dodged, barely escaping as the smoke surged past him.

Seth, however, didn’t see it coming. The shadowy tentacles wrapped around his body, slamming him to the ground like a ragdoll. He gasped, wind knocked from his lungs as the smoke forced its way toward his mouth.

It clung like tar, binding his limbs and chest, trying to choke the life from him.

Heth screamed in horror, “NO!”

Everyone inside heard the cry.

And just like that… the peaceful morning shattered.

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