Meeting the Meat

He didn't understand. The meat was rancid again. This was the third cow of the day, the third that released an overpowering stench when opened. On the first, he thought it had some unknown infection and continued butchering until the smell forced him to stop. The second cow stinking of rotting flesh concerned him and now the third...

He paused at the fleshy slapping sound behind him. Initially, he saw only the dangling intestines as the first cow rose. As it lumbered toward him, he realized daylight was visible through the hole in its head left by the rifle bullet.