“What a horrid day!” complained Millicent. 
I listened but rather impassively as my attention had been captured by Edna, strutting around, chest thrust out, in a comical imitation of Dali. 
“Dame Edna doesn’t think so!” I suggested after a few moments.
“Dame Edna indeed!” Millicent huffed, “What airs she has and for no reason.  She prances about like Madam Muck.  And she isn’t the slightest bit attractive.  Actually…” she exhaled pretentiously, “I find her to be rather common!” 

In truth, Millicent or 'Millie Moaner' as the others secretly referred to her, believed herself to be superior to us all. 

“Oh Edna doesn’t really have airs and graces.” I responded warily for Millicent was not one with whom you’d want to tangle.  “She’s just a born actress!” 

Then, in an attempt to change the subject, “What a pity we have to be locked up at 4 o’clock today.” 
This had the desired effect and Millicent rattled off on a new tangent,
“Hmph! I don’t like being locked up either.  I am completely innocent of any crime and it’s not easy for me to have to mix with others not of my class or ilk” she sniffed indignantly “..but I have accepted my lot in life and try to make the best of it!” - This said with the injured air of a martyr.  She was convinced we looked up to her and had great respect for her – after all we ought to.  Her behavior, in fact did not endear her to us at all.  Even dear maternal Mavis who fussed over us all had a hard time maintaining her sensibilities when Millicent got going. 

Later that afternoon, after lockup, an obviously upset Penny accompanied by Marilyn, a cute blond, approached Mavis who was chatting amiably with Edna.  I listened with amusement as Penny complained vociferously about Millie but did not get involved. I had heard this so many times before.  Millie had once again claimed all the choice food and left them with scraps. 
“She is insufferable!” Penny burst out.  “I do not think I can go on living this way! It’s bad enough being raped by that lout without having her around making our lives even more miserable!”  “Have you noticed he never touches her?”  The others all nodded their heads in agreement.  Penny was the smallest of us all but she had the most pluck and was always the first to speak up when there was an injustice.  The commotion was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of Dali.  None of us knew his real name but we called him that because he bore a more than a passing resemblance to the arrogant madcap artist Salvador Dali.  As if on cue he rounded the corner, eyes bright as beads.   

A new day dawned in a warm flush of amber and gold and I was excited to be getting out into the fresh air.  I was not the only one.  The moment the gate was unlocked we all burst out into the warm sunshine chattering gaily, happy to be out of our cramped quarters - all, except for poor young Marilyn.  She was feeling bruised and tender and could not be coerced out.  We were used to this sort of thing happening all the time and so did not allow it to put a damper on our day.  It was simply splendid to be outside in the beautiful gardens, so in contrast to our concrete and wire-fenced quarters, and so we ignored the more unsavory aspects of our existence. 

I strolled around the yard, noticing that most of the others had gathered in little groups and were gossiping - probably their favorite activity.  I could clearly hear Millie’s strident voice above all the others and smiled sympathetically but gave her group a wide berth.  The day seemed to slip by quickly and it was only when we were being herded back to our quarters that we noticed that Edna was not with us.  “Had she escaped?” I wondered.  Later that evening, we discovered she had been attacked.  Nobody seemed to have any details except for the fact that she was in a serious condition.
“It must be Roxie,” someone averred in hushed tones. She was a source of great fear in the compound and at the mere mention of her name, we all quivered in unison.  Nothing was said after this for each of us had a fear we would be next.  Everyone but Millicent!  She rattled on and on about how careless Edna had been. 
“It serves her jolly well right for not staying with the group!” 
We stared at her with open antagonism.  Nobody bothered to conceal their resentment and anger but we wisely avoided arguing with her.  She simply could not be convinced of anything that was not in line with her own opinion and she could skewer anyone with that sharp tongue.  Few knew that her acerbic manner was merely a cover-up. She deeply craved acceptance.

We stepped out cautiously when the gate was unlocked the following morning.  The sky was darkly somber and oppressive as if reflecting our heavy spirits.  Roxie was usually locked away securely but if she was out, we were all in mortal danger. Nobody spoke about Edna but all of us were acutely aware of her absence.  Had she died, another victim of the ruthless cold-blooded murderess?  And why was Roxie allowed out of solitary confinement after the last bloody massacre?  Our fear led to a heightened sensitivity and every noise or movement caused us to jump almost in unison.  We stuck together, somehow believing that there would be safety in numbers.  Our worst fears were confirmed when Roxie sashayed into the yard, her friendly black face and big smile belying the pure evil inside. Fear slid down our spines and there were a few nervous titters. We all huddled closer to one another, hoping that she would see we were a united group, lose interest and stay away.  We heaved a collective sigh of relief when we saw her move in another direction.  Then a gasp!  I spotted Mavis at almost the same time as Penny who had emitted the gasp. 

Mavis had wandered off and was enjoying a stray sunbeam that had broken through the clouds. She was not far from us but she was alone and this made her an easy target.  It was unusual for Mavis to be away from the rest of the group.  Her maternal instincts caused her to fuss over us all constantly.  We were struck with horror by what we were sure to witness.  We could see it now on Roxie’s face.  No longer smiling, her dark eyes intent, she moved with sleek determination towards her intended victim.  We were all frozen with fear and unsure about what to do when, to our surprise, Millicent broke away from the group and charged towards Roxie looking as ferocious as she possibly could.  Millie could be frightening, we were all in agreement, but at that moment we looked at the scene before us, not only with complete amazement but also growing admiration.

Mavis, alerted by the sudden noise, turned and dashed back to the safety of the throng.  We welcomed her into our midst and then watched in disbelief as Roxie turned her murderous stare upon Millicent who had in an instant been elevated to the status of a heroine among her peers.  We were all cheering her on.  Imploring her to come back and join the safety of the crowd.  In a fight between these two, Millicent had no chance. She had to escape. However, her path was blocked off by Roxie who was directly between her and us.  We distracted Roxie just long enough for Millie to get away and she ducked behind a tree but Roxie was not to be deterred.  She lifted her face and sniffed the air, her eyes now demoniacal.  We watched as saliva trickled from the corners of her mouth.  She was insane, we were convinced of it! 

And then Millicent made a run for it.  She ran wildly, shrieking loudly but Roxie was far too swift and almost directly in front of our horrified eyes, Roxie tackled her, brought her down to the ground and in an instant snapped her slender neck.

Later that night we spoke of Millicent’s heroic act with reverence and awe.  Many of those who had avoided her now claimed to have been close friends.  I thought about the irony of it all and shook my head, feeling a deep sadness inside.  Not even the sight of a wounded but obviously on-the-mend Edna, could cheer me up.  I was despondently thinking that it was only a matter of time.  We were all in terrible danger.  How many would be killed by this ruthless monster? 

Would I be next? 

For a chicken there really is no such thing as freedom when there is a psychopathic dog on the loose.