Alright. I’m really struggling with this everyday writing thing but it’s not that I don’t want to know more about Chloe, Ecker and the folks of CarthMoore. In fact, some of you have told me that you’re enjoying the percolating mystery that is the To Feel short story I’m building for you daily, and that’s really inspired me!
But I’d also love to hear your thoughts – what should happen next? Who do you want to meet? What does it all mean – or what do YOU think it all means?
Welcome to Chapter Four, readers. Enjoy…
CHAPTER ONE <Click here for all of CHAPTER ONE.>
CHAPTER TWO <Click here for all of CHAPTER TWO.>
CHAPTER THREE <Click here for all of CHAPTER THREE.>
CHAPTER FOUR
She sat there for what seemed like an eternity. I know he’ll come back, Chloe thought to herself. She stared at the dusty ground as she slouched and fidgeted while sitting on the rock wondering why her friend had not shown up again. The two were supposed to leave just as the sun was coming up but he had gotten too far ahead. He always ran faster than her. When he reached out his hand, she tried to grip it, but it was too late. He had jumped and was gone. And she was still there. Left behind.
She looked around at the little village below and the house just up the steep path. Wondering who lived there, she imagined a little old grandmother who baked and knitted and greeted little children with the most delicious homemade treats at Halloween. Or maybe it was a mean, evil witch of a woman who took nice little children and stuffed them in the oven like the old fairy tale she had always heard. She noticed someone heading her way from the house, and it appeared to be neither a sweet granny nor a dangerous witch but rather a slightly plump older man with wispy graying hair, a big large sack over his shoulder and a smile on his face, though she thought she saw a slight wince each time he hoisted the bag into a more comfortable position on his back. He waved with his other hand and started to pass by, but slowed down and turned back to address the girl.
“Did you need something, hon? You shouldn’t be out here alone this morning. Sometimes the wolves come out and we wouldn’t want to hear any Little Red Riding Hood tales of wolves gobbling you up,” he said with a chuckle. “Shouldn’t you be off to school or something?”
Chloe smiled at the fairy tale reference given her earlier Grimm thoughts. “No, I’m fine, sir. My friend’s just a little late, and I know he’ll come back to get me,” she said. “I’m not from around here.” That’s an understatement, she thought to herself.
The chubby, cheery-eyed man looked happy to stop for a moment to rest but soon picked up the bag he’d laid on the ground and hoisted it up again over his shoulder. “Well, if you need anything, you just let us know, okay? I don’t feel right leaving such a young girl all by herself out here. What are you, eight or nine? Well, my name’s Hal and that’s my wife Lu up there, if you need us for anything at all,” he said and began to walk away. He stopped again and turned to Chloe. “If you do stop by, sometimes my wife can be a little,” he paused as he searched for the right word. “She’s just not always up for new company, but if you need her, you can count on her. She’s golden. What did you say your name was again?”
“I don’t think I did,” Chloe was slow to reply. She didn’t want to supply too much information. After all, she wasn’t even supposed to be there and should be gone in minutes. “But it’s Chloe.” It was so nice to talk to somebody, she thought. After sitting out there on the rock for nearly four hours, she found herself getting a little lonely. But she knew that Ecker would be coming back soon for her. He just had to come back, she thought.
Follow Chris!