Perfectly Red

A Letter From Abe.

(Lia's POV )

A month later.

After taking the last bite on my apple I toss it in the trash bin before heading outside. I breathe in the morning air as I make my way to the red barn.  That's where Abner is getting the lights turned on, and opening the big doors. I start dragging the crates of pumpkins over to different spots for different trucks to load. I was pretty weak for about the first two months I was here. Abner was patient with me, although still grumpy. Now I'm pretty fit thanks to all the hard labor, and long walks. Finally feeling healthy after waking up in that hospital bed. I don't remember much from before or even during the accident. Just that strange party, faceless people dressed in black, and me dressed from head to toe in red. A woman's voice calls out to me, Lia. That's it, a fuzzy nonsensical memory. Perhaps I was crashing a funeral. Who knows? not me. Once I finish setting up for the first wave of trucks, I go over to the small office space where Fido is laying beneath Abners desk as he gets paperwork, and receipts ready for today.  

"Good Morning," I say taking a seat on a nearby stool. 

"Morning Kid, the first truck will be here soon. Take a break ,and check on the livestock. You can pull the next crates out after lunch."

"Okay, just ring me if you need anything. Want me to take Fido on a walk?" I offer.

"Sure, have fun. Here comes the first truck," the old man says standing from his seat.

"Viens Fido, marchons," I call to the dog. 

He gets up begrudgingly, and follows me out of the barn. We take a walk around the property, and I say hello to the horses. After awhile I head back getting Fido comfortable back in the barn before I go back outside to the hammock I put up. I climb on the hammock, and get comfortable before pulling out my phone. The old man pays me mostly by giving me a place to sleep, and healthy meals to eat each day. Plus a small wage. I saved up for a few months to get this smartphone, even if I barely have anyone but that old man's number saved in it. It's perfect for listening to music, and reading the news. Maybe I'll see a missing persons poster of myself somehow. I must have family out there somewhere. I feel a nudge against me from the side on the hammock. Turning I expect to see Fido, instead I see the only other person who I have saved as a contact in my phone. Eric one of the truck guys. He, and I had become a sort of friends over the time I've spent here. We play games together online. 

"Here I brought you what you have requested," he says handing me a bag from the local store. 

I take it, and peer inside making sure he didn't mess up my order. Korean street toast from the city, and chocolate from the local shop. Perfect.

"Oh, don't pout," I laugh at his expression.

"That thing might as well have costed my kidney," he says complaining about how expensive it is to eat out in Switzerland. 

"Well, maybe next time you'll win a match. Though I'm not sure what you'd want, it's not like I can drive anywhere."

"I will get my revenge," he replies jokingly.

The horn blares from behind him, his partner ready to go. 

"Oh, Nicht!" He shouts back. "So, Lia want to go grab a drink with me later?"