‘What do you think happens?’
‘I dunno, Nancy,’ said Dolly. ‘I suppose we’ll find out soon.’
Dolly and Nancy stood amongst the other cows in the yard, thankful to be on solid ground after a long and uncomfortable truck ride.
‘Some say vast green pastures await us,’ said Nancy. ‘A promised land. Our reward for years of milking.’
‘Must be somewhere else then,’ said Dolly, peering above the herd. ‘All I see is dirt, concrete, and that big shed. Don’t reckon there’s much green in there. Doesn’t even have windows.’
A gate rattled open and the yells of men rang through the air. The front of the herd were driven forward into a narrow gangway which led from the yard to the shed and ended in a scratched metal door.
‘Well, what then?’ said Nancy. ‘Everyone knows about the truck ride when our milking days are over. Why doesn’t someone know what happens next?’
‘No one ever came back to tell,’ said Dolly. ‘Whatever this is, it’s a one way trip.’
‘Do you think,’ whispered Nancy, ‘it’s the afterlife?’
The shed door slid open with a screech of metal on metal. The first cow in line nervously approached the open door and stepped through. Darkness consumed her and the door slammed shut. The herd inched forward to fill the space.
‘What,’ said Dolly. ‘Do you think we’ve been sent here to die?’
‘I don’t know. Surely not? We’re too young,’ said Nancy. ‘Maybe I listened to too many stories.’
‘Whatever it is,’ said Dolly, ‘like those before us, this is where we are destined to be. We just have to accept it.’
Again and again the door open and closed, echoing around the yard like some raucous metronome. The herd marched forward in step until Dolly and Nancy reached the entry to the gangway and were squeezed into single file.
‘I suppose I should be excited,’ said Nancy, with a nervous laugh. ‘But…well, I’m a bit scared, Dolly.’
‘It’s alright, Nancy. I’m right behind you.’
One by one, the cows ahead of them disappeared into the shed, until it was Nancy’s turn. She hesitated before the open door. From behind, Dolly saw her outline quiver against the blackness beyond.
‘Dolly,’ said Nancy, trying to move backwards. ‘I don’t think I want to.’
Before Dolly could respond, a man prodded Nancy in the side. She bucked in shock and bolted forward through the door. It closed behind her, and she was gone.
From within came a pop like a far off gunshot followed by a heavy thud. The silence afterwards was only seconds, but to Dolly seemed like eternity. Then, like a hungry mouth, the door gaped open once more, and Dolly faced the unknown.
‘Nancy?’
A stale smell seeped from the door and filled Dolly with despair. She too then felt the sting of the prod—a reminder that her destiny was never her own. Resigned to her fate, she stepped out of the light and into the darkness.