The Chardon Chronicles: Season Two --- The Winter
Page 70
Chapter Nine
By the time Telia and Louis got to Amy’s farm, the sheriff’s department had finished their work gathering evidence and conducting interviews about the gunfight. The three bodies had been removed. Amy used a tractor to dig a big hole near the rock pile and scraped away all the bloody dirt and buried it. The rest of the day had been a whirlwind of activity and anxiety. She was glad reinforcements were arriving from the Wells Farm.
Amy and Tracy greeted the minivan. Telia was exhausted from all the driving and arthritis was flaring up in her wrist, but she forgot all that once she saw Tracy. They both started crying and laughing at being reunited.
Tracy knew her dad was still trapped on the other side, but it was still extremely encouraging to see her father’s body walking around. She said, “That is really weird!” She hugged Louis.
Amy was happy to see Matt and Telia but her happiness was like a cork floating on a sea of exhaustion and crankiness. She urged them along, “It’s freezing, go hang out in the barn!” She really wanted to be alone, but the swirl of activity and people wasn’t cooperating, so she just hoped to drive their business along as quickly as possible so she could go to bed.
Richard, Chloe and Tracy walked together and they entered the barn which was now crowded and buzzing with voices. The day’s events had been tumultuous, and everyone felt a need to direct their energy to some new task.
Bethany greeted Telia with a hug and a smile. She said, “I thought you were dead!”
Telia shrugged, “It’s a hugely long story. I can tell it to you, now! I’m so relieved to be out of that bubble of secrecy.”
Bethany’s phone buzzed. She ignored it and let the call go to voicemail. It buzzed again immediately, so she excused herself and went off into the corner.
Amy and David climbed up onto one of the picnic tables in the hall. The room quieted down. Amy said, “Today has been traumatic and frightening. I am exhausted, and I’m sure all of you are too. We’re working on a plan, but for now, let’s just assume we can return to normal life. Some friends are here to help us stay more secure, but we’ll all need to shoulder some of that responsibility.”
Demetria moved to the center of the room near the table. She was radiant and exuding a serene power. She spoke with firm resolve. “For thousands of years men have come to farms just like this one to wreak havoc and violence. You want to live at peace in harmony with the land, the sky, and your family and friends, however, these men wish to dominate and control and drain away your life’s energy. Why? Because they want more, a bigger house, a faster car, just more. Misery, near universal misery is the price you pay for this desire. However, we are on the verge of turning this miserable order upside down. You all are a part of this vital task and if we persevere, we will win. Four killers came to take me today, but they consumed each other. One of them is now free from his former life, as free as a doe in the field, and the others fertilized our fields with their blood.”
Tracy and Morgan could feel the energy in the room transform from a pell mell mix of anxiety and urgency to a focused, calm resolve. Tracy hugged Richard, and held her mom’s hand.
Just then, Bethany called out, “No! No, no, no, no…” She rushed outside. Tracy followed her out the door.
Bethany was distraught. Tracy caught up with her. “What’s going on?”
Bethany said, “My parents… They’re dead!” Tracy hugged her. Bethany wailed on her shoulder. Bethany moaned barely coherent words, “I have to get home…”
Tracy sighed and took Bethany’s hands in hers. She said, “I’ll take you. I’m so sorry. Do you know what happened?”
Bethany shook her head no. “I have no idea. The gardener called me. I have to get up there to take care of some business. I can’t believe this is happening...” She knelt on the ground and held her head in her hands.
The others cautiously stepped out of the barn to see what happened. Tracy waved them off. She shouted to Telia, “Mom, can I take the minivan? I need to drop Bethany off at her house.”
Telia came to her side. “What’s the matter, honey?” She helped Bethany to her feet. Bethany squeezed her and cried on her shoulder.
Tracy said, “Her parents are dead…”
“Oh no!” Telia cried out.
Richard and David looked at eachother. Richard walked back into the barn. He felt pointless rage building up inside him. He didn’t know why. He kicked a hay bale and said, “Fuck.”
Tracy took the keys from her mom and drove Bethany home. Snowflakes swirled in the headlights for the entire trip and Bethany sobbed the whole time.
End of Season Two
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