The Legend Farm

The book

Sinking into the chair before the officer, he begins to write notes in his notepad.
"So, full name?" He questioned me.
"Alana Foster." I cleared my throat as I replied. More scribbling onto his notepad for a few more minutes before he looks up to me.
"So, as of two nights ago, Ethan Mill was found dead on the Legend's farm property. Do you know who could've done this? Did you know if he had any enemies?" He questioned me. Before answering, I raised my arm to rub my other arm as I began.
"No, not at all. He was usually always so kind to people, caring. He was very popular back in our hometown, he was a star." I softly smiled simply just thinking about those days. He scribbles again before nodding.
"I see you've stayed with the Legend family for a few weeks now, is that right? How do you see them?" He asks me. My arm stopped massaging and I looked at him across the desk.
"How do I see them?" I repeated the question.
He nods, "Yeah, like what do you think about them? Do you think that any of them could've done this?" My eyes wandered off to the side thinking about each individual. Berk is strict, and has a gun. Mike is harsh to even his own family, not afraid to hold back how he feels. And when it comes to Sawyer, he's so secretive. In fact, all of them are. They kept this from me for a long time before even admitting it.
"Actually, yes. Yes, I do think any of them could've done it." I crossed my arms.
His pen meets with his paper, the scent of ink between the two of us. "Can you say which family member do you think could've done this?" He inquires me for more of my opinions. Who seemed to be the most furious that night with Ethan? Berk and Sawyer.
"Either Berk or Sawyer, if I'm honest." Holding my shoulder highly before dropping them again. He continues writing before he looks to me again.
"How come?" He asks.
"Well, they seemed a bit aggressive that night. To be fair, they always are in some way. The family seems to hold a lot of aggression." I admitted.
His eyes widen, "Really? I mean, I can see aggression in that one kid, Mike, but not the rest of them." He replies.
"I'm just saying my opinion, officer."
He nods strictly, "Alright, that'll be all. I appreciate the cooperation." He says before I get up from the chair and leaving the room. The family sitting by one another, waiting to be call inside. I stare at them for a moment. George was hugging himself tightly, Polly picked at the polish that chipped away on her nails, Mike had his arms crossed, Celeste and Berk were quietly talking to one another and Sawyer was looking at me, waiting for me to talk first, but that wasn't happening. Making my way out the door, I waited on the stone bench by the front doors, feeling the cool breeze blowing by me. Taking my phone out to call my mother, I'd realized I had no signal. Figures. The front door opens and closes before I watch Sawyer sit besides me in the corner of my eye.
"What'd you tell them?" He asked.
"It's private." I replied simply. He looks over at the open dirty land filled with cacti and scorpions that hid within it.
"Well, whatever it was, I just hope it don't ruin us." He responded.
I scoffed, "My ex-boyfriend just died, possibly murdered and you say something like that?"
"I didn't mean-" He was cut off as for Celeste came out, telling him he's next. He sighed, looking at me one last time before walking inside. Soon enough, it was just the desert breeze and I alone at last.

Upon returning home, I stayed in the guest room for the remainder of the day until night arrived. Hearing the family walking around, doing their night routine before going to their own beds, I hear my door open.
"Sawyer, please get out." I say, keeping my face attached to the window. Something lands on the end of the bed with a soft thump.
"Not Sawyer, George." George replied. I turn around to face him and look down at the item placed on the bed, realizing it's a book. An old book at that as the edges were chipping away with it's age after having many hands touching it, flipping through the worn pages.
"What's this?" I asked, picking it up with gentle care.
"A book I got when I was ten years old at the bookstore, it'll help you learn about the creature here." He said before leaving the book with me, closing my door as his footsteps distance themselves from down the hall. Glancing at the book cover, it had a forest on it with shadows, the title reading in black,
                                                        The Walkers
Tracing the hard cover with my finger, I opened it up and began to read through it. Each page sent a chill up my spine. Tall creatures that they are. Usually grey, lifeless appearing. Those who believe in these creatures, we do not make any contact with them whatsoever. We don't think about them, talk about them, especially those of who are not believers. You must never say their name as for they will hear. They always hear, and when they hear, they'll come. They are true savages. They don't feel emotions, they only feel hunger. As I continued to read, a loud screech came from outside the home. Freezing in place, I listen carefully to what comes next, if anything. And there was. A whimper from another wild animal, losing a violent fight. Just then, I hear multiple footsteps running around the hall. Leaving the opened book on the bed, I rush out to see what was going on and see Sawyer, Mike and Berk all rushing around the dark home.
"What's going on?" I whispered to them.
"We're losing another farm animal, and we can't do this anymore." Sawyer informs me as he slings a gun over his shoulder.