Sunset Between the Silos

The barn had always been your place of solace, the animals your calm. Even with the red paint flaking and peeling on the outside. Even with the sound of the floorboards creaking in the hayloft under the additional weight of your small frame. The smell of the lavender field that grew in the fields of the farm next to your parents claimed you as the breeze pushed it through the open barn doors. Sitting on the unbroken bails of hay you feel their stiff blades against the bare skin on the back of your legs. With the hayloft door open you could breathe. In the distance the two silos stood far enough apart to frame the setting sun every time it set. You were really going to miss this place when you left in the fall for college. Most of all this barn, the one that held your secrets, your dreams, your desires and your memories of the times that will stay with you forever.

Being pulled from your reverie you notice two figures walking up from the other side of the hill in between the two silos. You must have been mistaken when your mother said that the Russells were going out of two for a short time and your family had offered to make sure that the grain on their property was taken care of. Small town farm life, you took care of each other. Watching the figures stake two shovels in the ground before taking off jackets tossing them to the side. As they begin to dig your stomach tightens. This felt off to you. This felt like something that did not fit with anything or anyone in the town. Taking out your cell phone you zoom in as close as you can and begin to record. “This is Piper Mckinzie. It is June twenty-seventh two thousand and twenty-three. I am recording two unknown individuals digging a hole on the Russell’s property. I am recording since the Russell’s are currently out of town and our family is in charge of taking care of the property until their return. I just want a record of what I am seeing in case it is important.” You feel a bit silly for being so on edge about something that could mean nothing. Yet as you watch them dig deeper and deeper you wonder what it is for.The sunset is beginning to fade, the brilliant pink, reds and oranges are fading into a deep purple which will drift into the darkness that is night.

Getting up from the haybale you stretch rolling your shoulders from sitting slouched for so long.Every time you climb down the drop down wood ladder you wonder if this is the day that one of the rungs will break sending you toppeling to the compacted dirt floor. Holding your breath as you climb down, you reach the bottom letting it out slowly. Shaking your head at your stupid superstition you head towards the house. You find it funny that none of the animals are at their stall doors. The horses always pester you for the sugar cubes that you have in your pocket. Oh, well it’s their loss today.

Walking into the house you hear your mother crying again, she’s been doing that a lot the last two days. It was by no means a sad movie cry. It was just sad, like when your grandmother died. You wonder if her and your father are waiting until your brother gets home from his big trip to New Zealand. Yes, you were slightly jealous. I mean it is New Zealand and their Prime Minister is so hot.

Climbing the stairs to your room you have a small smile. You could not wait to travel. Have fun nights out with new friends. Most of all to finally be able to date another girl openly without more than half the town thinking that you were going to hell. When you had told your parents, they didn’t bat an eye. They simply hugged you and told you that you still had to get your chores done. There was so much life to be lived, so many things to do and places to visit. You had already made up your mind that you were going to do it all.

Opening the door to your room you walk over to your twin size bed flopping down on it. Letting out a deep breath you close your eyes. Two more months, two more months until you could freely be you.

Falling asleep has never been easy for you. Part of that was because like a crazy person you talked to the moon at night. Some would call it meditation because you told her all your frustrations, worries, all your problems. Rubbing the sleep out of your eyes you get up for the day.Thinking about changing you wave it off. You knew that your ass was going to be ripped a new one for not waking up before the sun.

Going downstairs you move through every room to find them all empty. Which was odd since it was close to noon. Your father always came in for lunch. Scratching your head you shrug your shoulders, guess you should get out and help. Walking out the back door you look to see the car and truck gone. Rolling your eyes you rub your hands over your face. If this was how the day was going to go you should go back to bed. Turning the silos catch your eye. It was by no means a far walk, only twenty acres.Moving your head from side to side debating with yourself if you should go you begin to walk.

It does not take you long at all to reach the area. Looking at the disturbed ground you cock your head. It was about the size of your family's dining room table with all the leaves put in when everyone came over for Thanksgiving. It felt strange being here feeling your stomach twist you begin to walk back to the house. Your brow is furrowed in thought as your pace quickens. You need to tell someone, you need to show them the video. Stopping to check your pockets and it is not in any of them. You must have dropped it in the barn. The barn is your safe haven from the world. You could wait there till your parents got home.

Rounding the corner you see the sheriff's truck next to both of your parents' vehicles. Moving as quickly as you can, you rush through the front door. Stopping you listen from the doorway, “Mr. and Mrs. Mckinzie I am so sorry. Piper was wonderful and everyone in town thought the world of her.” Your mother is shaking as the tears stream down. Your father leans forward, “When can we truly bury her?” Nodding he twirls his hat in his hands, “They are going to dig her up tonight.” “Did they say why?” “Yeah, it seems that she saw them bury someone else at the Russells place. If you hadn’t found her phone in that run down old barn out back. Well, we would have caught them, it just would have taken a bit longer.” Standing he shakes his head. Stepping forward you feel like you are screaming at the top of your lungs that you are right there. Yet, no sound is heard. Dropping to the floor you now know why your mother cries. Standing your mother looks at the sheriff, “When did they bury her?” “Last night at sunset.” The realization hits you square in the chest. The hole they had been digging was meant for you after you died.