Description

The Barn 22: Woolly Mammoth

Jack watched as his new farmhand shoveled hay into the enormous new expansion to his barn. “That’s good enough,” he said, eyeing the young woman. Christina had a weathered expression etched onto her sun-kissed face, her hazel eyes mirroring the strength and determination that radiated from within. Christina’s raven-black hair, tied back in a messy ponytail, framed her oval-shaped face, showcasing her high cheekbones. Despite her petite frame, there was an undeniable presence about her, an air of eroticness that seemed to be part of her very essence. She wore faded denim overalls with patches here and there, evidence of the hard work she had put into the farm already.

As Jack observed her, his gaze lingered on her calloused hands, evidence of countless hours spent toiling under the unforgiving sun. The girl possessed an unmistakable aura of confidence and self-reliance that inspired respect.

Deciding to engage in conversation, Jack approached the young woman as she paused momentarily, wiping the sweat from her brow with a well-worn handkerchief. “You’re doing fine work,” he remarked, nodding toward the stack of hay she had just finished shoveling.

She glanced up at him with a warm smile, revealing a row of perfectly aligned white teeth. “Thank you, sir,” she replied in a soft yet determined voice that blended seamlessly with the melody of chirping birds and rustling leaves. “I’m just doing my best to make sure this barn is ready for whatever comes our way.”

“Well,” Jack grinned, “I have a new breed coming in here anytime now.”

“What creature is so large it won’t fit in a regular pen? Did you purchase something exotic?” Christina chuckled at her joke.

Jack nodded, “A beast even bigger than an the trucks themselves. This is a one-of-a-kind.”

Christina felt her heart beat with excitement. She loved nature and all the creatures, no matter how big or small. After spending her entire life so far on a farm, Christina felt like she had seen everything. “Tell me! Please?”

“Hear that sound?”

The ground rumbled as if an earthquake were beginning right beneath their feet.

Christina watched several freight trucks bring in a single metallic box nearly the size of the barn itself. Her eyes widened as she bit the corner of her lip with such curiosity. Her light blue eyes tracked the cage, listening intently to the creature create a ruckus within. “Holy moly, what did you buy?”

“When it comes out, you’ll know… if your history is up to date.”

“My history?” Christina saw the multitude of trucks unchain their cargo and release the box on the ground. Watching several men remove the locks from the absolute unit of a cage, she suddenly saw the sides fall to the ground, revealing the monstrous beast within. “No… this isn’t possible,” she gasped.

In front of Jack stood a creature that seemed to have walked straight out of prehistoric times. It was a woolly mammoth, much larger than any picture Christina had ever seen in her history books. The massive beast’s thick, shaggy coat was a mix of grays and browns, with tufts of fur sticking out here and there. Its long, curved tusks gleamed in the sunlight, their ivory-white color a stark contrast against the earthy tones of its surroundings.