by Layla
Disclaimer: The characters and
situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four
Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the
author. The ideas expressed in this
story are copyrighted to the author.
The bone-chilling wind seemed to be armed with tiny razor
blades as it stung their cheeks and whipped right through their clothes. This
winter’s extreme cold snap had been miserable for both man and beast.
“Boy howdy, Nick, you reckon it’s any colder in Alaska than it is right here?
Nick watched their breath turn to frozen mist as soon as it contacted the air.
“I don’t see how it could be any colder on the moon!”
“Only two more herds to check and we can head for home.” Heath pulled a loop of
the large red muffler curled around his neck beneath the sage-colored coat up
over the lower half of his face. Nick could see the blue eyes twinkling between
the tan brim and the top of the muffler. He knew a smile lurked underneath
unseen. Nick also knew what his brother was thinking. What’ve you got to say
about this muffler now, Nick? Bet you wish you had one just like it. Nick
tugged his collar a little higher and hazel eyes glowered back their response
to the challenge. It’s too miserable out here to start up with any of your
foolishness, Heath.
Heath noted the unspoken reply and his eyes grew solemn. “Well let’s get
going…”
Nick was pensive for a few seconds and squirmed in his saddle. “We could finish
a lot quicker if we split up. I could check on the herd near Emerald Pond and
you could head down to the South Meadow. We can meet up back at the house.”
“Figures… We’re less than a quarter mile from the Emerald Pond herd and the
South Meadow is nearly four miles farther away.”
“Well, the way I see it, the man with the big warm muffler ought to take the
farthest herd.”
Heath shook his head. “Just save me some hot chocolate, ya hear?”
Heath reined his horse toward the South Meadow and Nick’s smile held a hint of
mischief. His brother’s willingness to shoulder his share of the workload and
then some with little or no argument made him an easy mark. “When it comes to
hot chocolate, it’s every man for himself, Little Brother!” Nick said under his
breath as he galloped down toward the herd.
The cattle were huddled together in a tight group. They had instinctively
placed their young near the interior. The herd had enough fodder for Nick’s
satisfaction and he started to head for home. Just then he spotted the lone cow
standing near the pond. His own eyes turned in the direction of her transfixed
gaze.
He would have sworn the small calf lying splay-legged and head-down out on the
ice-covered pond was already dead until he saw an ear twitch.
Nick sighed and retied the lasso to his saddle. His rope could find no firm
hold. Even the rope dragging across his back had not been enough to stimulate
the exhausted calf to raise its head for a better target.
Nick planted his boot on the ice at the edge of the pond and leaned his weight
in gingerly. The ice held firm without a hint of cracking. Nick relaxed. He
reasoned the long hard freeze had frozen the ice thick enough to hold his
weight. He edged carefully to the calf’s side. How long it had been separated from
its mother, he didn’t know.
“I think you’re just tuckered out more than anything, little fella.” Nick spoke
soothingly to the little Hereford. “That’s what you get for wandering off from
your mama. Once you get hold of that ninny and get a drink, you’ll feel good as
new.”
Nick wrapped his arms around the calf’s rump and shoulders and lifted him with
a groan. The calf was much heavier than he appeared. Nick headed back toward
the bank with his burden. A loud crack reverberated through the chilly air as the
seemingly firm footing gave way. Nick heaved the calf away from his body
instinctively. It tumbled and rolled to the edge of the bank and found its
footing.
Nick’s arms and legs flailed and the heavy coat felt like a lead weight
dragging him down into the murky depths. The crash through the fragmented ice
and the shock of the icy water left him momentarily dazed and confused. He
kicked toward the surface with outstretched hand only to find it pressed
against a ceiling of ice. In what direction should he seek his point of
breakthrough? The icy water seemed to numb his mind and he couldn’t shake the
growing sense of disorientation. And fear. He must find the air hole quickly.
He could hold his breath only for mere minutes. The seconds at once raced by and
seemed endless as well. Nick’s hands searched vainly for the edges of his
semi-transparent prison. His lungs burned and screamed for release, aching to
draw in a breath. Nick’s will fought against his body’s hunger. But he knew
when his lungs’ store of oxygen was depleted that his consciousness would be
lost as well. His body would then betray him and suck the murky water into his
lungs. He pushed upward weakly.
It seemed to Nick as though he were peering through a misty window. An
unrecognizable shadow lurked beyond the misty glass with a grim determination.
A white spot appeared beyond the dim pane. A sunbeam found it and illumined the
spot like a small beacon. The whiteness was growing larger. Or was it growing
closer? It did not matter. Perception and reality were one. Time and distance
were one. Ever nearer was that final breakthrough to embrace the Eternal.
Fear in that moment became indistinguishable from awe. Any such distinction
vanished into meaninglessness as Nick felt his awareness slipping and his body
sinking as he relaxed.
Like a hub with crooked spokes reaching out in every direction, searching
tentacles shot out from the white beacon. Time was reaching out to embrace
infinity. With a sudden outburst of strength, Nick wrestled upward again toward
the dazzling starburst.
Heath slammed the butt of his rifle furiously against the ice. The ice had
chipped initially with his efforts. Now, cracks and fracture lines appeared and
ran in every direction. One more swing of the rifle butt and he would break
through.
The End.