Rampage

by Hank LeGrand III

Night was beginning to fall in the tranquil mountain valley, and the long workday at the Topps’ family farm had come to an end. The unmistakable sound of the elks’ trumpeting calls had also returned to the valley - announcing the beginning of their mating season. It was truly a wondrous time for the elk, but it could also be a very dangerous time; especially when the elk began wandering down the old wagon train trail from the mountains, down to where the early morning frost had not yet fallen on the tender green grasses. The Topp family -- Jim, his wife Mary, and teenage son Rocky -- lived on the farm at the lower end of the valley. The roaming elk foraging for food didn’t really bother the Topp family all that much, except when they had to occasionally chase one or two out of their vegetable garden, or the small corn patch the Topps would plant each year. But what followed the elk down from the mountains, shadowing the animal’s movements did...

ISBN 1-59431-814-X YOUNG ADULT / Romance / Action Adventure

Chapter 1

Night was beginning to fall in the tranquil mountain valley, and the long workday at the Topps' family farm had come to an end. Fall weather had once again returned, along with the exploding colors of the trees' leaves. The unmistakable sound of the elks' trumpeting calls had also returned to the valley--announcing the beginning of their mating season. It was truly a wondrous time for the elk; but it could also be a very dangerous time, especially when the elk began wandering down the old wagon train trail from the mountains, down to where the early morning frost had not yet fallen on the tender green grasses. The Topp family--Jim, his wife Mary, and teenage son Rocky--lived on the farm at the lower end of the valley. The roaming elk foraging for food didn't really bother the Topp family all that much, except when they had to occasionally chase one or two out of their vegetable garden, or the small corn patch the Topps would plant each year. But what followed the elk down from the mountains, shadowing the animals' movements did…

Rocky had just put his golden-stallion--Comanche--inside the barn for the night. After securing the double doors, with the cross-board, he began walking up the shadow-darkened path toward the cabin. It had been an exceptionally hard day for Rocky at the farm, and partial-exhaustion was starting to take its toll. He was now looking for some well-deserved rest on the cabin's front porch swing. Rocky could soon see the candle's light flickering through the partially opened windows, as he made his way up the path toward the cabin. He could also smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked pumpkin pies his ma had recently set on the windowsill. The grayish sky was growing darker by the second, and the swirling wind had started to strengthen with an eerie sound--as if some mystical storm were descending upon the valley. Rocky started walking faster, but suddenly, as if struck by lightning, stopped dead in his tracks. He was temporarily frozen in place by the blood-curdling screams of some unfortunate animal in trouble, big trouble. The almost ghostly noises sent waves of chills shooting clear through to his bones! Rocky had never heard such sounds in the valley before, and little did he know they would only get worse.

The horrifying shrills were coming from the woods just across the field behind the barn. Darkness had all but set in now, and the terrible screams were completely saturating the air. Rocky again quickened his pace and was soon standing on the first step leading up to the cabin's porch. Jim Topp was already standing in the doorway, sipping sparingly on a freshly brewed cup of coffee. He was also listening to the horrendous noises, along with watching Mother Nature's oncoming storm. He momentarily lowered his pipe, and turned his better ear toward the barn. Jim Topp was as confused as Rocky, about the strange sounding screams.

"What do you think it is, Pa?" spoke Rocky, as he shifted his western style hat to the back of his head, then leaned down to pull his socks up from inside of his cowboy-boots.

"It's hard to say for certain, Rocky, but a grizzly may have an elk cornered in the woods."

"If a grizzly does have an elk cornered I feel sorry for the elk, Pa. It sounds as though it's being torn to shreds!"

"Well, it's only natural for a grizzly to hunt for food," replied Jim Topp, as he shook his head side to side, and then flipped the remaining drops of coffee to the ground. "Why don't we go inside, son," he continued, after turning to enter the cabin. "There's nothing we can do about it anyway."

The slaughter of the mysterious animal continued for several minutes, then, just as suddenly as the screams had started they stopped. Rocky, after entering the cabin, noticed that his ma had a worried look on her face, and her hands were slightly trembling. Rocky and Jim Topp tried their best to assure her that everything was going to be okay, and that there was nothing for her to worry about. The grizzly had finished with its killing--or at least for the night. Rocky still had doubts as to what had happened out behind the barn, but he had to let it go for now in order for his ma to calm down. He knew she was a lot more scared than she was letting on and, to discuss the grizzly attack would only make her worry more.

Shortly after the screams fell silent, Rocky, along with his ma and pa, sat in front of the fireplace talking about their day, and about other matters taking place on the farm.

"Did you ask Rocky yet, Jim?" spoke Mary Topp, after lowering her knitting piece. Her trembling hands had finally calmed, and her normal facial color had again returned to her face.

"Not yet," replied Jim Topp, as he lowered his pipe from his lips then turned to look in her direction. "But now's as good a time as any."

"Ask me what, Pa?"

"When your ma and I were down in town today we chatted with Mr. Williams at the feed store."

"What did you talk about?" Rocky responded with a sudden interest.

"Mr. Williams told me that our neighbor further up the valley, Matt Petersen, had told him he's thinking about selling the old Henley farm."

"But Pa…the Petersens only moved into the Henley farm last year."

"Well, apparently Mr. Petersen wants to move his family closer to town, due to his veterinarian practice. It seems as though he now realizes it's just too much of a burden, for the folks in town, to bring their sick animals up over the ridge to his place to be treated."

"But what does that have to do with me?" said Rocky, as he leaned over and pulled off his other boot.

"Son; if the Petersens move closer to town, it means they will be selling their farm," explained Jim Topp, after again lowering his smoldering tobacco pipe.

"I'm still not sure what you mean, Pa…

"You're coming of age, now, Rocky," interrupted Jim Topp. "And it won't be long until you'll need a place of your own. Your ma and I had discussed earlier that the old Henley farm would be perfect for you. We also talked about coming up with some of the money, to help you possibly buy it. What do you think?"

"That would be great!" shouted Rocky, as he sprang to his feet. "It does interest me!" he continued, as his eyes widened with excitement. "Do you really think Mr. Petersen will sell me the Henley farm?"