The farm had never looked better. That much Caleb had to admit. There were new paths linking one area to another, and all of them met at a center point with various signs. McDonald Farmhouse was one, McDonald Barn was another. The others seemed to want to have writing on them—silvery webs of almost-letters seemed to flow just below their white surface—but today was the first day any of them had the same neat, almost fairy-tale-like handwriting on them.
Merry Meadows
“Merry Meadows, hmm? I wonder what that’s goin’ to be.” Caleb shook his head as a slight drawl escaped again. Ever since his transformation into a humanoid dog, it seemed like more of him was changing to fit the role of a stereotypical farmer. His blue overalls, straw hat, and bit of grass hanging from his mouth felt oddly natural.
Wandering down the cobblestone path, he found the pastures where cows once would have grazed. The grass and wildflowers (particularly the daisies) there were lusher and more vibrant than he remembered. There was also a white fence with sunflowers growing along it that hadn’t been there before. It was not any sort of deterrent to someone wanting to get in, though. Within the meadow now grazed cows again, a huge herd of them. They were beautiful with wide heads and strait horns. They all were healthily plump as well. “The Cattle of Helios,” he said in almost a whisper.
One turned her head towards him, as if she’d heard. She had a ‘collar’ made from a chain of daisies, buttercups, poppies, and an improbably large sunflower at the center. She smiled, winked, and motioned her head. Looking in that direction, Caleb saw a young man getting close to the pastures. His first instinct was to chase him off, but the cow had walked up to him. “Watch.” She said.
***
Fred had always heard of the McDonald farm—nearly everyone in town had. He’d also heard someone, somewhere, saying that the farm would be having some kind of grand opening soon, and he wanted to be first to see it. It hadn’t taken him long to drive out to the farm, nor to find his way down one of the cobblestone paths leading to an area marked as “Merry Meadows”.
The field itself was gorgeous, and the cows and bulls grazing there seemed oddly attractive as well. An odd desire to feel their coats came over him. The white fence was no deterrent, and he was soon in the field itself. None of the cattle seemed disturbed by his presence, but somehow they seemed to keep just out of reach.
I’ll get one of them soon! They can’t keep away forever! Fred tried to rush through the meadows but slipped and fell. When he rose again, he was barefoot and his features more bovine. He didn’t notice the changes but rushed off again.
By now the herd had spread out across the meadows. Fred only got so close to any of them before his headlong rush caused him to fall. Each failure fired his determination, each fall caused his features to become more and more bovine. One of the falls cost him his shirt, another his pants.
Naked, and looking like a minotaur, Fred was consumed with the desire to touch the cattle. Something about them, something he couldn’t place but felt deeply, called him. Another slip, and he walked on four legs! This is perfect! Twice the legs, twice the speed! Why didn’t I think of this before? His body grew thicker and hairier as he ran here and there across the fields. He didn’t trip, but finally was able to rub against one of the cows! He shivered in delight as his body touched hers and even grinned at her friendly lick.
Encouraged, Fred decided he’d rub against all the cows before…before… he blinked as his mind blanked a minute. Before what? As he stood there pondering, the cows moved to him, each rubbing against his sides, giving him a lick, and smiling and winking. “Coming to graze with us soon?”
Fred nodded slowly, his mind a fog. Somehow he was a bull. Had he always been a bull? He blinked and swayed his tail. Somewhere, somehow…but his belly rumbled. Thoughts could wait until after grazing. “Yeah. This grass is perfect!”
The other cows nodded in agreement.
***
“So that’s how it is, hmm?”
“Pretty much. Naturally not everyone will find themselves here.”
“I reckoned not. Name’s Caleb.”
“Imogene.”
“Pleasure to meet you ma’am. You’ll let me know if you need anything?”
“Oh yes. I doubt we’ll need your help much, though.”
“Well, I’m going to check on the barn anyway. Make sure everthin’s in workin’ order.” He shook his head. “See you again soon!”
“Goodbye for now.”
Caleb found that the path to the barn seemed oddly shorter than expected, as if his thoughts on it somehow made it closer. He’d have dismissed it, but after everything else it seemed among the less odd things to happen. The barn itself was a neat red and white. One part faced the Meadows and was clearly made for cows. There were rollers and milkers all designed to make cows happy and comfortable. There was even classical music playing overhead. He smiled, a grin that widened when he went into the main area and saw another sign:
Sexy Stables: Coming Soon!