by grapehyacinth

The moment Mattie, a young socialite, laid eyes on Ray, her rugged blind date, she fell in love.

...Until she found out he was a farmer.

“Neddy said you went to college!” she exclaimed.

Ray reddened. “I did!”

“But you said you're a farmer!”

“I am!”

“Then why did you go to college?”

“I got a degree in agriculture! What do you think, farmers can't go to school? I have more education than you, Miss Snobby City-Girl!”

Ray and Mattie married not even a year later.

For five generations, Ray's family ran a farm, and Ray had recently inherited it. Unlike most, the business was very profitable, and Ray had no intention of ever leaving. He made this perfectly clear before the two married, and Mattie agreed to live there.

Ray called their home “Our Green Acre” after the old show “Green Acres”. He thought it was funny how the plot of the socialite and the farmer mirrored their own situation. But Mattie hated the very thought. She gave up her old life of parties and concerts, and went off to learn about plows, cover crops, and tilling, as well as raising livestock, milking cows, and, her least favorite chore, dealing with the hens.

They were a nasty bunch, always squawking up an uproar when she entered the hen house. She was very skittish around the birds because she feared they would ruin her nails and peck her skin. And she was sure the hens picked up on her fear.

“Move, you damn chicken! I need those eggs!” She pushed a protesting hen from her nest, the bird hitting the back wall with a thud. It cried out, and Mattie mumbled, “Serves you right. I slave away here all day feeding you animals, cleaning your crap, getting who knows what kind of diseases from digging in the dirt, and you sit there like queens laying your damn eggs. Get a job!” She gathered the hen's eggs as it watched, and she moved onto the next bird. “And meanwhile, Ray doesn't want to hire too many farm workers because he always says 'If you want it done right, do it yourself'? I should never have gotten myself into this. I wasn't cut out for it. You damn animals have the life.” Rubbing her eye, she snickered, “Until we eat you, of course. I'll be happy to eat you, young lady. I'm going to suggest we pot you up tonight!”

Something in the animal's eyes haunted her, and before she could react, the hen lunged at her and pecked her hand.

“Ow! You bitch!” She tried to pry the bird off, but it kept its beak clamped tightly on her skin. She quickly grew faint, her body grew warm and tingly, and she fell to the floor, unconscious.

I can't do this anymore. If Ray truly loved me, he would have done things my way...

Mattie's mind raced as she awoke. Her body felt incredibly strange and stiff, and the barn ceiling loomed far above her.

“Hello, Mattie.”

The voice seemed to come from miles away, but it was strangely familiar. She tried to turn to view the speaker, but her hands seemed...wrong...

She held her arm in front of her face and screamed.

But the scream came out as a strange wail, because her mouth was all...deformed... and her hand wasn't a hand.

It was a wing.

The speaker from before tittered as Mattie fought to get up. Her legs were completely different; her feet weren't even human, they were clawed, and...

“Yes, you're me. You're a hen, Mattie! Isn't it lovely?”

She looked up to see her own self seated on a milking stool.

“And I'm you, Mattie! And it's incredible! I'm alive, I'm aware... I guess because I have your human brain so I can talk, and now I'm... Well, self-aware, you humans call it? Before there was no thinking! I was just there to serve you, all there was was eat, sleep, lay eggs, get thrown against a wall...”

Mattie winced, trying her best to balance on her new toes. She was in such a state of shock and disbelief that she couldn't stop her violent shivering.

“Yes, are you sorry for hurting me now?”

Mattie clucked. She couldn't form words with the beak she now owned.

Help me, she pleaded silently with the lady. I'm sorry I hurt you. Please, I'll always be good to you...

“I wish I knew what you're thinking now,” the new Mattie rose from the stool, tottering a bit. She giggled. “Oh, these feet are much nicer than mine. Thanks for the clothes, too. I took them from you when you were still out. It's odd to be covered with them, but I feel naked without my feathers.” She started to walk to the door.

Oh, please don't go! You have to help me! How did this even happen?

The new Mattie paused. “I'm so excited to join your human world. I don't know what or who gave me such a gift, but I'm going to cherish it. I think I'll go visit Farmer Ray first!”

No, you leave him alone!

“Now you'll find out what a hard day's labor we chickens put in!” She woman skipped out and the door shut behind her.

Mattie remained where she stood, just trying to understand what had happened. The hen had pecked her, she'd blacked out, and next she knew, she was a bird. Had she switched bodies with the hen? It sure seemed that way. But how, why, and was there any way she could get back to herself?

And what was that crazy chicken going to do with her husband? She had to get to Ray! Maybe he could figure out what to do!

She tried to run, but fell head first into the dirt and hay. The other hens clucked and squawked around her, and she could swear they were mocking her. Yet at the same time, she knew they were alarmed. Every cluck had its own meaning, and she could tell each bird by its own “voice”.

That is so weird, she thought to herself. I never realized they're...individuals...

She pulled herself back up, but her legs were wobbly and bizarre, and she had a different center of gravity with her new, plump body. She took a few steps, flapping her wings to steady herself, and instead, found herself fluttering in the air.

Oh, wow! I can fly, she exulted in a fleeting moment of merriment.

But I'm a hen... Oh, my God, what if someone eats me?!

At that thought, she half-flew, half-stumbled to the door, fighting to pull it open with her beak. It had not completely shut after the new Mattie left, which she was eternally grateful for. She exploded into the yard, the sunlight blinding her. When her eyes adjusted, she drew in an awed breath. The colors! There were shades that Mattie couldn't even put names to.

I had no idea hens could see so amazingly well!

But this discovery deterred her for mere moments. In a flurry, she flew to the kitchen window where she could see Ray and the new Mattie sitting at the table. Ray looked positively glowing.

“I've decided to turn over a new leaf,” the new woman was saying, her eyes bright. “I'm going to embrace my life as a farm wife and never complain again. I'm yours, Ray.”

Ray's mouth dropped open. “Mattie, are you possessed?”

“Of course not. I just...I've had an epiphany!”

“Epiphany? Since when do you even know that word?”

Enraged at the whole conversation, Mattie threw herself at the window screen. She squawked and screeched, feathers flying everywhere.

Ray stood up. “Now how did she escape?” He walked over to the window and grabbed Mattie, and she relaxed in his hands.

“You girls are getting smarter and smarter by the day. I should make a few more of you soon.”

Mattie shuddered. There was no way a damn rooster was going anywhere near her.

Ray frowned. “You don't like that, girl?”

The woman came over, running her hand down Ray's shoulder. “Maybe she'd rather be tonight's main dish.”

“Aww...I couldn't eat her. She's a nice one.”

“A nice, plump, juicy one. I really think you should cook her up.”

Mattie was so horrified that she made a dejected cry.

Ray eyed her curiously. “That sound this bird made sounds like you when I ask you to go milk the cows, Mattie.”

Shocked that he picked up on this, Mattie nodded her head up and down vigorously. Ray stared back and forth between her and the woman.

“I'd love to go milk the cows!” the woman chirped.

“Let's put you back in your house,” Ray finally said, and Mattie was brought back to the hen house and deposited in the nest she would now call home.

The coop was dank, depressing, and smelly, but Mattie was getting used to it. She was also trying to get accustomed to her new body, as tough as it was. She found herself becoming more hen-like; she would preen her feathers and fix her nest. After all, who wanted a messy, scratchy bed?

Remember! You're a person, not a hen! she kept telling herself. But even if she knew what kind of impossible process led her to switch bodies with a hen, she was at a loss how to reverse it, and she had little hope that she'd ever be human again.

Then a strange feeling began building up in her innards.

What is this? What am I feeling? There was an urge to push...

Oh, my God. I will not lay an egg. I refuse! Completely mortified, she tightened up her muscles and clenched her beak. I will not do this. I'm a person. I do not lay eggs.

But as the minutes went on, the pressure became unbearable. Her whole small figure felt like it would explode if she didn't get this egg out of her, and she finally gave in. She allowed her new body to take over, pushing at the egg. Something shifted inside of her, and she let out a squeal of pain. Was it supposed to feel this way?

She retreated to the back of her nest, embarrassed. Again, she tried to resist the intense pressure, but it felt like her very insides were aflame, and she crouched down, ashamed. No one can see me...no one knows it's me... Just get this damned thing out of me!

She gave several great pushes, yelping in discomfort as she did, and finally, at long last, she succeeded. A wave of relief came over her, and she stepped out of her nest to observe her handiwork.

Yes, there it was, a perfect white ovoid, just like she'd buy in a store or gather from the other hens. But her instincts forced her to get back in and sit on it, despite the fact that she knew it wasn't fertile.

I will never do that again, she resolved, and, exhausted, she fell asleep.

She awoke to see Ray had entered the coop to gather eggs. He stopped before her, cocking his head as he studied her. He then proceeded to stick his hand under her, searching through her feathers.

This would almost be fun if it wasn't so horrible, she thought to herself, letting out another sad cluck.

“Don't be sad, girl! This egg's a beauty,” he said, placing her egg in the basket slung over his arm. “But be nice to Mattie. Even though she's being really weird, you can't peck her like that. Although, come to think of it,” he paused, scratching his head, “that's when she started acting weird. Since when is she loving farm life? Mattie hates everything about the farm, and sometimes, I think she hates me.”

Ray! Ray! Mattie stood up and flapped her wings frantically. It's me! I don't hate you! But this farm is killing me! Now literally!

He gazed at her. “I don't get it,” he said, and left.

Another egg is on the way. Yay for me, Mattie thought. Egg-laying was becoming just another part of life, yet it never was easy. The fake Mattie had said as much, and, if she ever got back to herself, Mattie resolved never to take chickens for granted again.

When Ray came in with their feed, there was the mad dash to peck up whatever sustenance Mattie could. At this point, eating off the floor didn't bother her at all, and she found herself supplementing her meals with any creepy-crawlies she found lurking around.

If my friends could see me now, she chuckled ruefully to herself. But thoughts like these were lessening as her mind settled into the simple animal consciousness. In her despair, she found it comforting to allow herself to be the chicken she was.

Frequently she found herself fighting off the other hens. She could sense their distrust of her, and they would often approach her and drive her away. If she stayed her ground, they would peck at her mercilessly, often drawing blood.

That's my blood... that chicken blood is...my blood...

But they let her be when she was in her nest, so, for the most part, that was where she remained.

...Trapped...

“How are you, little one?”

Mattie untucked her head from under her wing to see her human self standing before her.

“I see you've got all my instincts going there. Ray says you lay nice eggs. I'd like to eat you – I'm developing a taste for chicken, you know!” The woman laughed, and threw herself down on the stool. “It's funny, there's a whole world out there, but as an animal, there's no thought of any of that! I mean, again, I didn't think! I just...was. Now I see that your human mind is still active in my old hen body, but I wonder for how long? Not that it matters. You're in there, and I'm in here. And I'll tell you, I love my life now! I'm free to do whatever I want!”

What they said about babbling hens was undoubtedly true, Mattie noted. This one couldn't stop talking!

“And I had to sit and hear you complain, not that I understood any of it, but we detect moods from the tone of your voice...” She stood up. “You have no idea how hard it is to lay eggs all day, then you come in and take our hard work like it's nothing!”

Before Mattie could react, the woman had shoved her hand under Mattie's feathers and pulled out her newest egg. She studied it with surprised approval. “Not bad for a beginner! Keep up the good work! I'm going off to enjoy my life some more, maybe I'll eat your little gift here for breakfast tomorrow.”

Bitch! You bitch!

The door closed, leaving Mattie in the near-darkness once more. Sadly, she fluffed up her nest and tried to go back to sleep. But the door creaked open, and a tantalizing smell hit the air.

A rooster had walked in.

The other hens jumped down from their nests in an uproar. Like an automaton, Mattie followed, her animal instincts overwhelming her.

Need...the...rooster...

She waddled over to the prancing male, pushing past several hens, and let him display to her. His plumage was shiny and colorful, and she knew his offspring would be healthy and numerous...

Oh, my God! What am I doing?

She stepped back, horrified with herself. I'm a person! I'm a person!

But the male's interest had been piqued, and he started to pursue her. She raced to her nest. The other hens continued to scream, she scrambled to get away–

“What's all the racket in here? Hey, who let this guy in?”

Mattie let out her breath. Ray had appeared, and he quickly scooped up the male. “Mattie was just here. Why would she do this?” He was standing right in front of her, and she made the sad moan that he'd recognized before. He ran his hand over her feathers. “And what does she have against you, my beauty? Just because you pecked her? She said she accidentally hurt you, so you lashed out. Well, I understand that, especially with Mattie.” He was silent for a moment. “But Mattie isn't Mattie anymore. It's like she's been replaced by the ultimate farmer's wife. Which, in theory, is good, but I miss the old, fighting city girl.”

Mattie drew herself up with all her strength, pointing her wings at herself and nodding furiously.

“Are you trying to tell me something, girl?” Ray asked, intrigued.

She shrieked, attempting to form the word “me” with her beak, but it wasn't very effective.

Nonetheless, his jaw fell open. “Mattie?” he whispered, reddening. “No, that's crazy...”

Desperate, Mattie flew at him, trying to hug him with her wings. With a mixture of laughter and shock, he pulled her from his chest and looked into her eyes. “It's you?”

She shook her head over and over, wishing she could cry, wanting to escape this whole nightmare...

Ray placed her carefully back on her nest. “You're really my wife?”

Mattie only nodded.

Her husband collapsed onto the stool, shaking his head back and forth. “How? Just... how? I don't... God, you were all different after the peck... Did this happen from the peck?”

Mattie squealed a very positive reply.

Decidedly, Ray stood up. “Well, then you have to peck her back. Maybe that'll set things right – it's worth a try. I think it's time for dinner. Mattie,” he coughed. “I need you to play dead.”

Mattie felt odd hanging limply from her husband's hand. He deposited her on the kitchen table like the dead piece of meat she was supposed to be. She almost felt violated, but she was desperate, so she willingly played along.

“She's the one you want to eat?” he coldly asked the fake Mattie.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the woman clasp her hands together with glee. “Yes! Please!”

He studied her. “Any reason why?”

Mattie twitched. She hoped the woman didn't notice.

“I like chicken!”

“Do you?” Ray snorted. “Well, why don't you get all her feathers off and we'll cook her up?” He tossed a pot over and walked off.

The woman hung over her, and Mattie could feel her warm breath on her feathers. That's my breath! she wanted to scream.

“I won,” the woman smiled, and tugged at a feather.

In a rush, Mattie latched onto the woman's hand for dear life. The woman screamed, trying to bat her off, but Mattie held tight.

Desperate thoughts flooded through her mind. I'm still a chicken! What if this doesn't work? What if I'm stuck forever? What if–

She was in bed, and Ray was hovering over her. When she stirred, he pushed her hair back from her forehead. “I'm sorry,” he said. “Very, very, sorry.”

She sat bolt upright. “I'm not a chicken anymore?” She tossed the blanket away and examined every inch of her. Not even a sign of a feather.

“Oh, God, Ray, it was awful!” She fell into his arms and sobbed like never before. “And I'm awful, and I'm sorry I'm such a bitch, and... Where is she?”

“She's in the hen house, and she seems back to normal.”

“Does she remember? Or is she just a regular hen again?”

“I don't know. She's acting regular.”

Mattie looked around the room, her very soul aching to escape. “Ray, I can't stay here.”

He did not look as stricken as she expected him to be. He almost seemed to be expecting this, she noted.

“Why, because of her? The hen? I'll sell her.”

“No, not just her. I need a break. I don't belong here. I never did.” She rose from the bed and pulled a suitcase from her closet. “I'm going back to the city for a while. I'm not saying forever, but I just can't deal with being on a farm after what's happened to me.” She packed more and more clothing in until the suitcase was nearly bursting.

Ray lowered his head. “I can't say I blame you. I can't imagine what that was like.”

“A nightmare.” She sat down on the suitcase to force it closed.

“So what will you do in the city?”

Mattie pondered this for only seconds. “Study up on shapeshifting and body-swapping,” she said, and she snapped her suitcase shut. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” Ray said sadly, and Mattie walked out.