The Bite of the Corn

Chapter 1

Tears streamed down my face as I ran through the corn field, the rough husks biting into my skin as I pushed through the shoulder high stalks. I hated this stupid hick town. I just wanted to finish college and move away for good. Now those dreams seemed to be slipping through my fingers. The sound of Alex calling my name was growing more distant. He was either looking for me in the wrong direction or, more likely, he wasn’t coming after me at all. Based on how our conversation this evening had gone, I doubted if he had tried to follow me at all. Probably just a half-hearted calling out of my name so that he could say he tried.

My chest heaved and my legs burned as I continued to run through the corn. I didn’t know where I was going, but I had to get away from everything. My usual method of self-preservation, it would seem. The sun was starting to set in the clear August sky and any other night it would have looked beautiful. Tonight it just seemed to be signaling the impending darkness. In the distance, I could see the silhouette of a building off in the distance. I allowed my pace to slow, but kept making my way towards the building. It would be dark soon and the last thing I needed was to be alone in the middle of a pitch black corn field, not knowing which direction to go.

By the time I reached the building, my legs were throbbing and my ears were burning from my run. I glanced up just long enough to register that I was coming up on a barn, and then I stumbled to the door and collapsed down onto the ground, leaning up against the side of the old, worn building. At first glance, the building had looked dark from the outside so I had assumed it was abandoned, but I could now hear the faint sound of horses neighing inside. I tried to listen for voices or other sounds, but soon the exhaustion overtook me and I slipped off into a dreamless sleep.

“Darlin’, are you alright?” I jumped at the smooth sound of a man’s voice and my eyes shot open to find an older man with white hair and a short white beard looking down at me with a puzzled expression. I pushed up to a sitting position, looking around trying to get my bearings.

“I… uh… I’m sorry. I must have fallen asleep,” I stammered, not able to come up with anything better to say. I looked up at the man’s face and he looked vaguely familiar, but I did not know him, and certainly should not have been trespassing on his land.

“I don’t see a car or truck,” he said, extending his hand to help me up. “How did you get all the way out here, if you don’t mind me asking.” I took his hand and slowly rose up, brushing the corn and the dirt off of my clothes.

“I was out with some friends and then I needed to go for a walk on my own. I must have wandered farther off than I had meant.”

“Well, I was just finishing up for the evening. My grandson will be here in a bit to pick me up. We can take you back to town if you’d like. A young lady such as yourself really shouldn’t be out walking alone this late at night,” he said with a gentle smile.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” I looked around nervously, wondering how long ‘a bit’ was. “Can I help you finish up while we wait?” If they were going to be nice enough to take me to town, the least I could do was help out a kind old man.

“Are you sure?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye, to which I nodded. “Then follow me.” He turned and led me into the barn and the soft glow of the sparse lights cast beautiful, dim shadows across the weathered wood of the barn. The dirt floor felt soft under my feet as he led me over to the horse’s stalls and introduced me to a brown horse with white markings on her nose.

“This here is Moxie. She’s getting to be an old lady, but don’t let that fool you. There’s a lot of spark left in the old gal.” He patted her gently on the nose and gave me a bucket of feed to hang in her stall. After introducing me to three of the other horses, I could hear a truck pulling up outside of the barn.

“Gramps!” I heard deep voice call out, and then the slam of the truck door.

“In here Jack.”

“Are you almost ready to-“ the voice stopped abruptly as he turned the corner and saw me standing next to his grandfather. “Who’s your friend?” he asked with a curious smile. I froze for a moment before realizing I hadn’t introduced myself to his grandfather either.

“My name is Melanie,” I answered, extending my hand. “I was out walking earlier and stumbled across the barn and then fell asleep. Your grandpa found me a little bit ago.

“You were out walking? Where from? There’s nowhere nearby here.” Jack’s voice was laced with suspicion and with good reason. I would imagine they didn’t get many random people stopping at their barn.

“I was actually out by the pond with my boyfriend and we got into an argument, so I left. I didn’t know where I was going, but I just picked a direction and went. I didn’t mean to intrude.” I kept my voice as level as I could, but I found myself shaking none the less. Today had been exhausting and I didn’t want to relive it. I just wanted to go home and take a hot shower and forget about today all together.

“I see,” Jack answered simply. The look in his eye as he looked me up and down made me shift uncomfortably. I could tell he was trying to decide whether I could be trusted to go with them or whether there was reason to be weary of me. After a few long moments, he nodded briefly and headed back towards the truck. Grandpa and I followed behind him and I quietly climbed into the backseat of the truck.

“We’re headed towards town. Was there somewhere in particular you wanted us to drop you off?” Jack asked as he turned onto a dirt road, leaving the barn behind us. My mind tried to think, but was drawing a blank. The only place I could think of right now was going home, even though I didn’t want to. I had been gone all day and I didn’t even have my purse or my phone on me. After my conversation with Darren headed south, I bolted without even grabbing any of my things. My mom had probably been calling my phone with no answer, so she was probably worried sick by now.

“Sure, my family lives on Oak and Summerset a couple of blocks off the main square.” A long silence filled the cab. “Thank you for taking me home. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course, darlin’. We wouldn’t leave you out with the wolves,” grandpa answered with a smile. I relaxed a little more as we made our way to town and the two men made quiet small talk in the front seat. I began to get nervous as we neared my house, and the moment we turned the corner my stomach tightened. There was Darren, sitting on my front porch with my parents.

Stay tuned as I will continue this story throughout the Summer Fiction Series challenges!