Autumn Short Stories

The Haunted Hayride

Fira hadn't been back to the old farm in years, and as she looked out the window of Terrence's car, the familiar stretch of rolling fields and looming woods brought back a mix of nostalgia and unease. The last time she was here, the farm hadn't yet turned into a haunted hayride attraction. Now, the air was thick with fog, and the pale glow of lanterns flickered in the distance, marking the entrance.

"This is going to be fun," Terrence said, his voice bright but his eyes betraying a hint of doubt. His hand found hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You really believe that?" Fira asked with a smile. She had always loved Halloween, but there was something about this hayride that unsettled her. She could almost feel the weight of the land beneath her feet, like something was watching, waiting.

They drove past the large wooden sign that read, Hargrove Farms Haunted Hayride. The faded paint and crooked letters made the place feel even more eerie, especially as the wind whispered through the trees.

As they parked, the sounds of laughter and distant screams echoed from the hayride's departure point. People were piling into the wagons, bundled up in thick jackets, ready to be taken on a thrilling ride through the haunted woods.

"I'll go get the tickets," Terrence said, before kissing her on the cheek and heading to the booth. Fira lingered by the car for a moment longer, staring at the dark woods beyond the field. Something didn't feel right.

She was jolted from her thoughts by a familiar voice.

"Well, well, well, look who finally showed up," came the teasing voice of Jaxon.

Fira turned to see him walking toward her, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. His messy hair and trademark leather jacket made him look like the same rebellious boy from their childhood, but there was something more... guarded about him now.

"Jaxon," she greeted, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Are you still playing tour guide for this spooky hayride?"

"You know it," he replied with a grin, "Someone's got to make sure the guests don't get too scared. Though, lately, it's been harder to keep people from running off the wagon. Too many strange things happening."

Fira raised an eyebrow. "Strange things? Like what?"

Jaxon hesitated, glancing around before leaning closer. "Like people vanishing. Or hearing things in the woods. Even a few guests have said they've seen... something, out there in the trees." He paused, a shadow crossing his face. "Look, you shouldn't be here. It's not the same as when we were kids. The farm... it's different now."

Before she could respond, Piper, Jaxon's girlfriend, walked up behind him. She had a relaxed, almost aloof demeanor, her arms crossed as she observed Fira and Jaxon with mild interest.

"You're not trying to scare her off, are you, Jax?" Piper teased, though there was a note of wariness in her voice.

Fira smiled but didn't respond. She could tell something was off, but wasn't about to let it ruin her night. They exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then Jaxon and Piper led her to the hayride wagons.

The night was chilly as Fira, Terrence, Jaxon, and Piper climbed into one of the wagons. The sounds of the farm faded as they moved farther from the lights of the field, leaving only the creak of the wheels and the rustling of the leaves behind them.

"Enjoy the ride," Jaxon called out with a wink.

As they moved deeper into the woods, the atmosphere shifted. The fog was thicker now, swirling around the wagon like a living thing. Fira couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Every snap of a twig, every rustle in the trees, made her jump. She looked around, but the darkness was oppressive, swallowing up any details.