21 August 2012
The road was little more than a country lane, potholed and with no footpath. I walked and walked, in the rapidly descending gloom, although I had no idea where I was or even if I was going in the 'right' direction. A gentle breeze was picking up, lifting my skirt and teasing through my hair. I shivered; I was dressed for a warm summers day and my jacket was still on the mini-bus. I quickened my pace, hoping it would keep me warm. As I rounded a curve in the road I spotted a light in the distance; a dull glow halfway up a small hill, barely visible through a smattering of trees. It was difficult to tell, but the light could be coming from a house or a farm. Either way, light usually meant people and that could mean help or a phone to call for help. I continued until I reached a dirt track that led off the main road and wound it's way up the hill, towards the source of the light. I hesitated; something didn't feel right, but I couldn't figure out exactly what. I was probably just being paranoid. I pushed away my doubts and started towards the light.
After about five minutes of walking gently uphill, the light source finally came into view. It was coming from a small, rundown farm, complete with a barn and a couple of gloomy outbuildings. An external light on the outside of the barn illuminated the yard but the farmhouse itself was in total darkness. I quickly crossed to the front door and knocked, straining my ears for any sign of life inside. There was no answer. I was becoming desperate and a little frightened by the whole situation so I tried the handle. The door was locked.
"Hello?" I called out, my voice trembling. The only response was my own echo. My legs ached from walking and I was beginning to shiver uncontrollably. I paced over to the barn and pulled at one of the large doors; it opened with loud creak. A little light filtered in through a dusty window, revealing an array of farm equipment and a ladder leading up to a hayloft.
"Well its not the seaside cottage I was promised," I said aloud, letting myself into the barn and carefully closing the door behind me, "but it's warm and dry. And I could sleep just about anywhere." I climbed up to the hayloft and settled down among the bales. The hay scratched at my exposed arms and legs, but I was so tired I didn't care. It started to rain; I closed my eyes and listened to the gentle patter of the rain on the barn roof, letting it lull me towards sleep. Maybe someone would be around the farm in the morning, I thought.
I awoke with a start to the sound of a car door slamming. It was still dark outside and I had no idea how long I'd been asleep. Creeping forwards along the hayloft I peeked out of the high barn window. Parked in the muddy yard was the blue mini-bus.
Abandoned Part II • Opuss № I