"That's a pig! Snap out of it!"
He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me up.
Yet like a madwoman, I desperately struggled to nurse the pig, clinging to it tightly.
"Don't cry, Nicole, Mommy will feed you."
"You'll feel better once you eat."
Charlie's frown deepened. He held my arm tightly and turned to my sister-in-law, Jane Wagner.
"Jane, hold Caitlin. I'll grab the pig and we'll separate them!"
Jane was already too scared to speak. She stepped into the pigsty, trembling and cried out of fear again.
"Charlie, I don't dare. It's so scary."
Charlie had no choice. He pulled me backward while kicking the pig.
"Get out!"
"You damn animal!"
"I'll slaughter you today and eat you!"
The pig squealed in pain from the kicks, shrinking into a corner.
I screamed, struggling with all my might and rushed over to protect the pig.
Charlie couldn't stop his foot in time and it landed heavily on my back.
I felt no pain and only cared about comforting the pig under me.
"My good girl, it doesn't hurt."
"Mommy will blow it and make it feel better."
I lay beside the pig's ear, coaxing it gently.
Its gradually calmed down, grunting softly and nuzzling me.
Charlie was frozen. His eyes were wide open as he realized something was wrong with me.
"Jane, hurry and bring Nicole over!"
Jane froze on the spot, stammering, unsure of what to say.
For the past three days, she has been focusing only on consuming the powdered goat milk and various supplements sent by the military.
She had absolutely no idea where the child had gone.
"Charlie, Nicole ... Nicole went out to play with Mom!"
"She won't be back for a while!"
Charlie's frown deepened. Without a word, he turned to the room and came back with a tranquilizer gun.
"Let's calm Caitlin down first. When Mom brings Nicole back, she'll be fine once she sees her!"
After saying that, Charlie raised the gun without hesitation.
Bang!
A shot hit the pig.
The pig wailed and collapsed to the ground.
I stared blankly at the fallen pig, tears suddenly welling up in my eyes.
"Nicole, wake up!"
"There's so much blood."
"It doesn't hurt, Nicole."
I cried heartbreakingly, hugged the pig and tried hard to pry its mouth open.
Charlie watched my movements and was terribly irritated.
Without any gentleness, he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the pigsty.
Back in the room, he shoved Nicole's clothes into my arms.
"Caitlin, stop acting crazy! Nicole went out with Mom!"