Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Suspense/Mystery

Chapter Five: A New Life

As I followed him into the kitchen, I noticed some old looking pictures on the walls that showed the farm in the background. They all were different people and every one holds the deed to the farm in their hand. The picture frames were also dated from so long ago, going as far back as 1923. His picture with the deed was at the end. 
"So... Uh... This place goes way back, huh?" I asked curiously. 
"Yeah, actually." He said as he stopped and pointed at the date on his picture. 
"As you can see, I just got this place recently. Originally my sister was supposed to get it before me... But since she passed away a few years ago, it went to me. And when I pass on, or Winter turns the right age, and with my blessing, it will all be Winter's." He said with a smile. I smiled with him. 
"Wow, that is so cool. It is such a great thing to be passed down through the family." I said. 
"Yeah, it really is. And I know that when Winter gets it, she will be so happy." 
"Yeah, I'm sure she will be." we both began to smile. 
"So, we better get into the kitchen and start on these pies, huh?" he asked. 
"Yeah, I guess we should." I giggled. We started heading into the kitchen again, and when we got there the place looked almost empty. The only thing that was there was an oven, a refrigerator, and a sink. There was also a white board that had a cute little drawing on it with a child, and an adult. It looked like Winter drew it. It must be her and Will.... I looked over at him, and he set the apples down on the counter. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out flour, and a few other ingredients, and put them with the apples. 
"Hey, do you think you can get me a bowl, and the pie pan?" He asked. 
"Yeah, Sure." I said as I started to search the cabinets, and finally found them. I handed them to him, and he got the pie ready. "It'll be a while until they're done... Would you like a tour of this place until then?" He asked with a little smirk. 
"Sure, that would be great.." I said as I smiled. We both walked out of the kitchen, and headed toward the door. We stepped outside, and saw Winter and Kaitlyn running around in the field. 
"Do you mind if they come along? I'm trying to teach Winter about her speech skills with others and how important your surroundings help with it." He asked. 
"Yeah that would be fine. I might take this opportunity to teach Kay the same." I responded. 
"Girls, would you mind coming here for a moment?" they both ran over and stood next to each other, both with their hands behind their back.
"Yes Uncle Will?" Winter said sweetly. 
"Well," he started 
"we were talking, and we figured that now would be a great time to teach you guys an important lesson." 
"OK..." They both said with a sigh. We all started to follow him into the barn. We walked inside, and there were goats, and cows. The place looked huge. We could hear the cows baying and mooing, while the goats continued to yell. Kay and Winter giggled. 
"Sissy, is it always this loud?" Kay said. 
"Yeah. I think so, Kay." I said as I giggled. 
"Winter," Will started
"why don't you tell them the chores in here?" He said as he gave her a sort of devious smile. 
"Yeah, ok." she said sounding a little mad. He looked at her with a serious look, almost gesturing her to act right, because they have already had a talk about it. She sighed. 
"Yes, sir." She said sounding almost agrivated that she had to do it. 
"Well, all you have to do is milk the cows, feed the animals, and..." She stopped then started to mumble. 
"I-I'm sorry, we didn't quite hear you. You're going to have to speak up." I said kindly. 
"Winter..." Will said in a scolding manner.
"The last chore in here is... Well, you have to pick up their poo..." Kay fell to the floor laughing and I giggled a little. 
"Kay, get up please. I know it was funny but control yourself." I said giggling again. 
"Winter... Show them to the chicken coop." He commanded.
"Yes, sir. Follow me please." She said as she gestured for us to follow. She began walking ahead of us, and headed across the field to the chicken coop. As we approached the coop, we noticed that it was strangely quiet. We didn't hear anything coming from the inside. No clucking, or footsteps, or pecking. Nothing.
"Wait guys. Don't go in yet... Let me go ahead." Will whispered. 
"There might be a coyote in there..." He creeped up to the door and slowly opened it. A coyote froze in place, and dropped the last remaining chicken. There was blood everywhere, but no corpses. The last chicken seemed to still be alive, but barely. The coyote growled and got into an attacking stance. I grabbed Winter and Kay by their arms, and pulled them back. Will grabbed a nearby stick, and swung at it. It jumped at him and bit his arm. He screamed, but continued to swing at it. He hit it in the face, and it yelped. It ran off, and Will walked over to us. 
"Damn coyotes!" He yelled, and threw the stick on the ground. 
"We should probably head inside and get your arm fixed up." I said. Winter and Kay helped me walk him back to the house. Once we got there, we sat him down on a chair. We rolled up his sleeve and Kay liked away cringing. Winter just sort of looked at it disappointedly
and took out a needle and some thread. She put some kind of cream on it, then started to sew it up. As soon as she was done, she took out some cleaning wipes, and wiped the blood off his arm.
"Oh, my god! We forgot about the pies!" I yelled as I ran into the kitchen, and everyone followed. I grabbed the nearest towel, and got the pie out of the oven. It was really burned and charred. 
"Sissy, I don't think the pie came out that good..." Kaitlyn said sounding almost sad. 
"I know Kay. But I'm sure we will make another pie." I said trying to be reassuring.
"Okay sissy." 
"Winter, Kaitlyn... I don't think we can make anymore pies today. We don't have enough ingredients to make a new one. But maybe tomorrow." Will said.
"But for right now, we need to get some rest for the night. It's getting late. Winter, please take them into their room." He said as he headed into his bedroom. Kay and I followed Winter down the hallway, and into our rooms. We both got into our beds and layed down. I immediately turned over and tried to sleep.
"Thank you Winter. Good night." I said. She turned out the lights. I turned over, and just layed there. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't even close my eyes. Every time I tried, I saw what happened with the coyote again. I just layed there for the rest of the night, tossing and turning. No way of getting to sleep. Thinking about the safety of Kay, Winter, Will, and myself. Especially with our insane father searching for us. I wasn't sure how much longer we were going to survive.