It was a nice and bright sunny day with decent cloud coverage and little humidity. The town was in full swing as it was the first day of the annual rodeo. People were talking, singing, and just having a good time.
“Welcome everyone to the 2014 Huntsville annual rodeo and let me tell you folks we have some heavy hitters lined up for this year.” An eccentric announcer called out as people were enjoying themselves before the rodeo started.
People were walking around looking at all the stands that were set up. There were stands for food, clothing, and hats strewn around the rodeo grounds. As it was early morning, people were still entering the rodeo in huge waves.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let's get this year's rodeo started off with the youth brackets!” said an announcer.
As time went on, kids from from 17 down to the age of 10 competed in categories like wrangling sheep, roping, barrel racing, and many more. Crowds were booming, hollering every time someone did their event and grew louder when they did well. While some were competing, people were still wandering around the stands buying food and drinks. Kids were playing games, winning prizes from bracelets and glasses to even plastic toy guns.
Clayton's Ranch
Within that time frame, I was in my barn, hanging around some of my animals. Walked around, fed them, and took care of their needs, such as brushing the horses or milking the cows. When I was done with what I needed, I climbed into the loft in search for my old, beat up guitar. Upon finding it, I picked it up and start to strum a few strings, adjusting the pegs in case it was out of tune. After a few moments I decide to play a song that reminds me of my childhood.
After a few hours in the barn I decide to go to the rodeo in town and walk out to my 1987 Chevrolet K10 and climb into the cab. As I drive to the town I decide to stop by my friend Keith's ranch since it's on the way to the rodeo.
“Mornin’ Keith, how's life treatin’ you?”
“Ah, ya know, same shit different day. Are you ready to compete tomorrow in the Rodeo?”
Keith grins, bringing his hand out for a handshake. I laughed, accepting the gesture.
“Do ya even gotta ask, man? I've been doin’ this shit for years.”
“No shit, and you've still yet to find a woman to settle down with.”
“Low blow, dude. Just cause you just got engaged don't mean I won't find someone.”
“Well, I'll hold you to that then. Better find someone soon ‘cause I ain’t gon’ be the only one to settle down and have a family.”
“Uh-huh, whatever man… You ready to go watch the Rodeo?”
“If you get yer ass up.”
After we finish talking, I walked out to my truck and unlocked the door, Keith following from a short distance as I put my key in the ignition, the truck’s engine roaring to life. Once Keith got in his own, we drove down to the Rodeo. After a long hour drive, we arrived to the rodeo grounds; parked our trucks, and enter the stands to watch a few events. When it was nearing the end, Keith and I walked out and to our trucks, hanging out.
“There were some kids who did really good durin’ those events,”
“Hell yeah, man! ‘Specially the one that was doin’ steer wrestlin’. He was pretty fast.”
“He was a flier. Well, I gotta head on home. Tomorrow’s my big shot.”
“Sounds good, cya tomorrow, Clayton.”
“Don’t get in an accident, bull rider.”
After our goodbyes to each other, I start driving back home to my ranch. The night was always so peaceful, the cold breeze hitting my arm and through my sleeves was refreshing. Especially the calming music on the radio made it too good to be perfect. Almost halfway on my drive, I noticed strange lights that looked like strange circular formations with symbols that pop up all around the surrounding wilderness off to the sides of the road, in which made me almost lose control of my truck. I slam on my brakes, pulling to the side and getting out, pulling my rifle off the small rack in the bed and walked towards whatever the lights were.
“If there are some dumbass fuckin’ teenagers-” I growled, walking towards the dark area of the wilderness.
“GET YER FUCKIN’ ASSES OUT HERE, DICKHEADS!”
I shouted, having my rifle ready if someone walked out. Few minutes pass as I stood there, keeping my guard up and listening to anything that moved. Nothing was heard, and at this rate my ears would start ringing by how silent it was.
“What in the actual fuck, dude?! Not even a goddamn chirp or sounds of insects… Whatever, this is bullshit..”
I mumbled, walking back to my truck and putting the rifle back. When I got into my truck, I sat there thinking if what I saw was just things in my head. Clicking my tongue, I got back on the road and sped back home. Making it back, I got out and checked up on my animals, making sure they were fed and got them back in there respective places to sleep.
“Freaky ass night, I ain’t schizo to where I’m seein’ lights in the stupidest places, right…?” I mumble under my breath, proceeding to talk to myself til I got inside my house.
I walked into the kitchen and pulled out a steak, covering the top with any seasoning and making sure it was set for the grill. I pulled out a pan and bag of vegetables, cooking it up for a side dish. Putting the steak on a plate, I go outside and prepare the grill, putting in charcoal and lighter fluid over, then using a lighter to ignite the charcoal. The fire took a bit to grow, but it soon did and I set the steak down, doing what I needed to make it perfect. After a few hours, it finally finished and I put it back on the plate, bringing it inside and turning off the oven. The vegetables looked really good and I set it on my plate, cleaning up everything before eating the food.
After eating, I began to head to the stairs to get set for some sleep, yet something felt off. I check my surroundings for a moment, looking at one of the windows and seeing that exact light I saw on the drive home. It was difficult to see, as it was at the edge of my property line.
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“What the fuck is happening?” I squint, trying to make out what I was staring at before feeling a rush of adrenaline.
I turn and race up the stairs, almost tripping a few times and barged into my room. I grabbed the closest rifle to the door, which ends up being an AR-15; with an AFG-2 angled fore grip, a lightweight stock made of wood that I created myself and a Micro T-2 red dot sight. Grabbing a few magazines from my dedicated shelf, I shove one into my rifle and put the rest into my pockets.
I run down the stairs and make it quickly to the door, racking the charging handle of the AR to chamber a bullet and peeked outside. I still see the strange floating formations full of weird symbols, or words, that I can't make out. I ran to my red Honda Fourtrax Rancher ATV parked around the side of my house, and sped off to the outskirts of my farm with my rifle slung across my chest. After a few minutes, I got closer to the strange light and prepared my AR, going full throttle so I could fire my gun, but it suddenly vanished. Frustrated, I lowered my gun and gentle pressed the brake to a full stop.
“What the fuck is goin’ on?”
Getting off, I cautiously walk around and try to find anything out of the ordinary, but I still don't find anything.
“Well shit, I hope I'm not goin’ insane from the amount of times I've hit my head while bull ridin’.”
I walk back to my ATV and ride back to my house. When I made it back, I parked my Honda Rancher back where it was before and walked back inside. I walk up the stairs to my bedroom and began unloading the rifle, racking the charging handle to extract the round I had chambered. I caught the bullet midair and loaded it back into the mag I had in my hand. I then put the rifle back on the wall, and the mags back onto the shelf. After I was done doing what I needed and hitting the bed, I grabbed my phone and called up Keith. It took a bit for him to answer, but he picked up, sounding tired.
“What’s up dude?”
“Hey Keith, have you noticed anythin’ strange goin’ on lately?”
“You callin’ me late is strange, but no. Y’good, Clayton?”
“Go fuck yourself, but yeah, I’m fine.”
“Ya sure y’ain’t nervous for tomorrow?”
“Nah man, it's not like it's my first time. It's mainly just people from town and not the national competitions that I go to every year. Just doin’ it for fun and practice.”
“Then don't get complacent, y’never know what’ll happen.”
“Yeah, I know man. I won't get lazy. I’m not you.”
“Shut yer ass up or else you’re gettin’ my boot up yer ass tomorrow. Night.”
“Haha, night man.”
Next Day
I got up before the crack of dawn and did my usual morning routine. I topped off all the animals' water and food troughs, cleaned up the barn just a little bit, checked on all of my animals to make sure they were doing all right, and added more water to the pig pen, making sure the mud didn't get too dry. After I finished with all of that I made myself a breakfast complete with fresh bacon, eggs, biscuits, and gravy, paired up with a mug of black coffee with honey added into it.
“Alright, time to get outta here.”
Getting up, I put on my boots and grabbed my keys, walking out to my truck and start driving back to the rodeo grounds. When I got there, the competitor parking was already crowded. I park my truck and walk up to the gate. As I get to the gate a security guard stops me.
“Competitor?”
“Yes, sir” I pull out my ID, letting the guard look it over and nodded.
“Alright, you’re good to go. Good luck out there.”
“Thanks.”
I walk through the entrance and I spot Keith. I walk over to him, seeming that he’s occupied with his phone.
“Mornin’, Keith. How’s it goin’?”
“Hey, Clayton. Been fine, ready for today?”
“Yeah, just ‘nother Tuesday for me.”
We shared a few chuckles, before Keith continued the conversation.
“Sure, man. Get too confident for yer ego and you’ll get thrown off the bull when y’first started bull ridin’.”
“I’ll be fine, bro. Anyway, I better go and get ready for today. You should too, yer also competin’ today so why don't you worry about yourself.”
“Yeah, but still wanna look out for a fellow brother. Better not fuck up, I ain’t gonna leave yer ass alone til the day I die.”
We laughed, giving each other a handshake and walk our separate ways. I walked around the fairgrounds, occasionally chatting with other competitors. After a few hours, more people started to show up and I walked towards the competitor zone, getting some water for myself and someone I was talking to. Around that time the events began. I walked out and watched them from a small bleacher.
The first event was was the women's Barrel Racing. I watched as about a dozen women competed against each other to get the fastest time. Some of them did really good and some didn't hit any barrels, but 4 hit at least one barrel. They still did good overall.
After that, it was the Bareback Bronco Riding event, then it was Saddle Bronco Riding. Since the two event only had so few competitors, the announcers rushed through them first, as I didn’t pay much attention to them. I was just waiting for the steer wrestling so that I could see Keith compete.
The next event was Tie-Down Roping, and there was a new competitor. This was his first competition, as said by the announcers. After a few people went, it was the new guy’s turn. He had a shaky start but made it up with a precise throw with his lasso, smooth dismount of his horse, and straight into tieing up the legs of the calf. He ended up getting the best score of the whole event, good on him.
Finally, it was the Steer Wrestling event, which had quite a few competitors. After a few good runs and a few bad runs, it was finally Keith's turn. He had a pretty good start but his steer ended up being a stubborn one. It took an extra few seconds to go down so he ended up getting second place.
The final event before the intermission was the Team Roping. It ended not being that entertaining so I ended up walking to the bar to get a soda. When I got to the bar I bumped into one of the ladies that did Barrel Racing.
“Shit, sorry ma’am. Oh, ain't you that barrel racer, Sarah?”
“It’s alright, and you’re correct. Do I recognize you from somewhere?”
“Clayton Cash, Bull Rider”
“The Clayton Cash? No wonder I recognize ya! Saw ya at the Thomas and Mack Center last year for Nationals at the Rodeo. Bummer you got second place though, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yeah, JB Mauney got first. Beat me fair and square, but hey, it was fun to compete against him.”
“That’s awesome! care for a drink, Mr. Cash?”
“I guess, haven’t competed yet so maybe one drink wouldn’t hurt. Also, just call me Clayton. I ain’t that popular.”
“Alright, Clayton. Love yer spirit.”
She hands me a unopened can of beer and sits down next to me.
“So, Sarah, how long you’ve been Barrel Racin’?”
“Goin’ on three years now, how about yourself, dare devil?”
“This is my fifth year, congrats on your third year.”
“I knew that, but thank you.”
I rolled my eyes, sipping the beer as I grew fond of her company.
“So, Clayton, what do you do other than Bull Riding?’
“Well, I own a ranch ‘bout an hour south of here.”
“How many acres?”
“‘Bout 650 acres and a decent amount of animals.”
“Nice, I would love to visit the animals sometime and see the land,”
“If you want to y’can tomorrow. Can pick ya up outside the Rodeo.”
“That works. I appreciate it, Clayton. Thank you.”
“Anythin’ for a beautiful woman like yerself.. I gotta head on out, thanks for the drink. Cya tomorrow, Sarah.”
“Such a charmer, and before you leave, here’s my number. Cya ‘round, Clayton Cash.”
She hands me a note with her number on it and winks at me. I take the note and head out to the rodeo arena. A few minutes before the bull riding event starts, I start preparing myself for the ride of a lifetime. The first bull rider was announced as they opened the gate, letting the event begin. After a few seconds the bull bucks him off, him sprinting off while the barrelman and the others on horses distract the bull, trying to bring it back in for the next contestant. After three people went, it was finally my turn.
“Put your hands together for Clayton Cash! Made second place in Nationals in 2012. Must say Cash and JB Mauney had a fair run. Lets see if this will be a new record for the big boy himself.”
The crowd cheered, which boosted my confidence as I got on the bull, taking a deep breath as I find a spot that felt comfortable. Keith showed up on the side, grinning like a madman.
“Y’ready, Clayton?!”
“Always, besides smiling at me like that.”
“Just hyped for ya man, good luck and keep a good grip.”
“Thanks, Keith. Dinner’s on me if I make first place.”
“Bet.”
With his final words of encouragement, I made sure to have a firm grip of the rope on the bull and took a deep breath. Then, the gate opened, the bull running rampant and kicking its hinds a bunch. I was doing good for the first 3 seconds I had, til my grip felt loose and my body wasn’t willing to comprehend what I was doing. Due to that, I fell off, feeling a lot of pain going through my arms as the crowd was screaming in terror. The cowboys that usually handled the bull couldn’t get this one to go back, as its prime target was towards me. I was able to get up, as I did the usual zig-zag pattern to get to safety. But as soon as I was able to reach the gate, I felt my body grow immediately numb, and seeing the fear in not only Keith, but in Sarah’s eyes.
People were being escorted to leave and someone was calling 911. Everything was blurry, and for a moment I saw that strange light from last night grow brighter and brighter, before everything went black.