Difficulties at the Ranch

At Fred's Ranch.

While most of the residents somewhat recovered, they were eating through the supplies that Liam previously brought. It had been less than a week since his last visit and Fred was already starting to ration their remaining water supply. 

"Fred! Bad news! Another cow died, this time it was a young one", a short stubby woman said. She was part of the cattle herding crew and came over to report that they lost yet another cow.

Fred shook. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to keep it together before a full-blown-out panic would spread through their settlement. 

He took a deep breath, "Do the same as the other cows. Butcher it and take it to the smoker."

Unless the cow died from disease they wouldn't let it go to waste. These days the kitchen crew was working overtime, processing the meat into jerky, sausages, and other smoked meats. They tried to use as much as they could, even using the bones to make broth.