The Strawberry Field

Alana bent down to pick the most luscious strawberry she'd ever seen. Plucking it from its stem and hearing the faint pop, she smiled, because strawberry picking was one of her favourite activities. Today was a breezy day, lacking the heat that PIY days usually had - and Alana loved it. She bit into the strawberry and closed her eyes, savouring the beautiful harmony of a fresh berry and the summer breeze. The strawberry taste was like a purple circling on a canvas, splashing pink, purple and red onto the cloth.

When Alana stood up, she noticed something: the rows of berries were quiet. Not a single soul in sight. The breeze quieted and the air remained stock-still, as Alana suddenly was. She pricked her ears in the wiggling motion she could do, trying to pick up a sound like a cat. It was a reflex action. Alana was afraid to move and disturb the silence. Perhaps I should be getting back, she thought. Berry picking is better with company.

She walked back towards the dirt road, trying to make as little sound as possible on the straw. A large tree nearby rustled with sudden wind, and Alana whipped her head around, startled, but it was nothing.
Crunch, crunch. Straw under feet.
Alana turned around, but there was no one there.

Suddenly a shadow whipped past her so fast that if she had blinked, she would have missed it had it not been for the feel of motion. Alana's eyes widened and she froze, whimpering slightly. Where were her friends? The teachers that had come along on this school trip? What had just raced past her? No human or animal could move that fast!

Alana was frightened. She didn't hear anything except the leaves of bushes in the wind. The silence was eerie, and she didn't see anyone. Suddenly, the poor girl felt very vulnerable just standing there with no cover. But any form of bush or tree to hide behind seemed like a terrible idea - what if she was caught by . . . whatever had just gone past her?

She took off running at a full sprint, driven forward by the sudden fear propelling her mind to conjure up freaky scenarios of kidnapping, killing, fainting. She was near the main farm building now, where the pecan treats and ice cream stand were still standing, but even the cashier seemed to have disappeared into thin air. This was not good. Did everyone leave due to a storm warning she missed, or something, and left her by herself? After all, Alana was very good at disappearing in crowds.

What to do? Alana crept along the barn house wall towards the parking lot, every sense on high alert.
It was deserted, not a single vehicle in view.
No cars.
No buses.
Just Alana.

The lights of the building went out as thunder rumbled overhead. An inhuman screech sounded overhead, and Alana pressed herself against the wall, narrowly missing a brick tumbling down from the roof. Something must have pushed it onto her! And if it was on the roof, it would see if Alana tried to make an escape. . .

There was no way out.


Hope you liked the story, everyone! Finish the story in the comments with what you think should happen.