Endure

The Enduring

Rows and rows of corn stalks stretched ahead as far as the eye could see. Occasionally I could spot a scarecrow poking its head above the stalks, looming over them with its lifeless eyes. Millie suddenly grabbed my hand as something rustled in the immediate stalks next to us, our eyes met for a moment before we continued to follow the rest of the crowd, ignoring the mysterious rustling that still crept behind us, until we reach the opening.

The rustling behind us soon faded into background noise as the sound of music thundered over top of it. Drink tables with beer kegs, a pathetic-looking snack table, several random blankets around the bonfire, and, in the background, an ominous-looking abandoned barn lit up with glow sticks. "This isn't so bad," I could barely hear Millie saying over the music. As we ventured closer to the scene, she paused a moment to adjust her wolf ears and gave me a smile. "Thanks for coming with me, Little Red."

"It's what friends do, Big Bad," I laughed and pulled my red hood up. As we began wandering into the crowd it wasn't long before Millie was pulled away by her boyfriend and I was alone, as per usual. Glancing around I tried to find a familiar face but, only living here for two weeks, found the drink table instead. As I waited for the makeshift bartender to finish my drink my eyes searched for Millie and found her dancing with a group of her friends. A wave of bittersweetness washed over me as I took the first sip of the terrible concoction I was given.

"Where's your wolf?"

I jumped as a guy appeared to my right and offered me a smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Laughing nervously, I nodded towards Millie, "She's with her boyfriend,"

"Why aren't you with yours?" He asked nonchalantly. As he leaned on the drink table, our eyes met for a moment, and I finally looked at him. Dark hair and moon-colored eyes. I almost spit out my drink when I realized he was dressed as a werewolf. "You okay?"

Nodding, I looked away. "Yea, um, no, Millie and I came together. I don't really know anyone else here, I just moved into town." The energy of the party seemed to ramp up, the music played louder, everyone began dancing, and glow sticks seemed to appear out of nowhere. The smell of the bond fire, alcohol, and Halloween makeup created an intoxicating odor that almost overcame the rotten wood smell of the abandoned barn that loomed in the distance. The moon was steadily rising into the sky with no clouds to obstruct its light which made the bonfire and glow sticks seem unnecessary.

"Is this your first time at the Abram Farm?" The werewolf asked nodding towards the broken-down barn after sharing a moment of people watching. I nodded, glancing at the old structure barn for a moment while a chill traveled up my spine. "Let's go check it out."

"What?" My eyes flashed between him and the building, "No, I'm not going over there." He laughed as he wrapped his fingers around my elbow and began pulling me towards the weather-beaten barn. Maybe it was the smile that he flashed at me or the way my skin prickled with the false courage of the alcohol, but the idea of heading into the barn became fun. It was Halloween after all.

The smell of rotten hay greeted us as he pried the rickety barn door open revealing a dark open space with glow sticks spread around carelessly and moonlight shining on the skeletal remains of the ancient stables that cast haunting shadows. The gentle sounds of scurrying came from the rafters about us, but that didn't faze him as he barreled into the open space with his arms spread open. Suddenly, he faced me.

"Are you coming Red? Or, are you scared?" His voice taunted me from the dark while the glow sticks seemed to illuminate his eyes. Gripping the edge of my cloak, my eyes searched for Millie in the crowd before I stepped into the barn. The scent of rot became intense as I stepped deeper into the barn. The shadows seeming to come alive. He raised an eyebrow at me, "Have you heard of the Hauntings at Abram farm?"