Part 3

 “Oh shit, there it is!”

I feel a lurch and the truck takes a sharp turn. Looking up from my lap I see us pulling up to a dilapidated-looking barn – really a glorified shack – in the middle of a long-abandoned cornfield. Most of the plants here are crunchy and brown, more husks than plants; only a few stubborn weeds hanging on around the barn’s edges, clinging to the only shade in the area, look remotely alive. The faded, rust-red wood of the building burns like a pale flame against a cold grey sky. It’s gotten cloudier since we left. A crow caws in the distance.

We sit in silence for a moment after we’ve parked on the gravel walkway.

Finally she turns to face me from the driver’s seat, a look of apprehension on her face.

“So…”

She hesitates. I can tell she’s trying to test the waters, see if I’ll react the way she thinks I’ll react.

I surprise even myself by turning to her and smiling.

“Well. What are we waiting for?”

My body finally reacts at these words. My head starts to swim. My heart is pounding. I feel lightheaded and I’m sure my vision is blurring. Nope — yeah, definitely blurring. I feel myself starting to slide down the seat, but force myself to remain rigid. Hold my smile. I can barely make out her response.

“!!”