HUMAN

Chapter 51 - Final Chapter

The truck came to a stop on a gravely road. I patted the dust off myself and the satchel. "This should be it, thanks for the lift!" I slid the card into my breast pocket referring to it and at the stranded mailbox that awaits in front of the gates.

"Well, catcha' later kid. Now, don't know why you uppin' lady Holme's property for. But that's really nunna' my business." The badger glanced at the rear view mirror as I hopped off the truck bed.

"I just need to talk to her, get a few words and directions." The badger squinted his eyes for a moment before shrugging. "I'll leave ya to it. Watch yourself, she don't fair well to new faces." He said before the tire kicked small pebbles into my face.

Glad he's sincere about my wellbeing. And the precautions? I already know about from Leo and Pennie, along with some of the locals as well. A part of me is really hesitating about this now. Still, I have questions that need answering.

I steeled myself and stared at the winding dirt path that heads deeper into the wooded area. Each step reverberated around the forest as I sort through my notes in my satchel.

Shit! My fingers slipped, the folder spewing out its contents onto the dirt path. Bending down I hastily grab my stuff and noticed that my hands were clammy and shaking this entire time. My collar always felt too loose or too tight ever since I entered her property.

This was a completely different feeling compared to the previous locations I visited. There was a sense of openness back at Oakfield for those who seek the same path of the human. It didn't show itself on the surface, but it'll be in the back of your head that allows you to ease up.

There was none of that here.

I recalled Leo's words. This lady isn't keen on revisiting her past or talking about it in the first place. And here I am, dirt and mud stained papers in hand, about to present show her a presentation and push her into the deep end of those memories she'd kept buried.

I took a breath and thought of the possible outcome that all may go well for both parties. I'll sort out what would benefit her for the sake of spilling something on the table for me to work on.

"[Alright, I got this.]" I stare at a farmhouse in the distance surrounded by a wheatfield. My claws gripped around the satchel's handle tighter than I should.

I slowed my footsteps to just take in the scenery of wheat dancing around as the wooded forest cleared up. So she's a farmer now? It would only make sense if she is. Taking my step upon the staircase to the porch, my hands hovered over the door.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Taking a step back I find myself adjusting my glasses and loosening my tie standing patiently. My ears twitched forward, listening for any movement.

Huh.

I hope she's here this evening.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

No answer.

I sigh, and backed off from the door. Soon enough, I found myself slowly waltzing around the corner of the house to see a parked car and returning back to where I was. Unless she's doing some field work right now, which I doubt she is-

I round the other corner of the house. No noise, no smoke billowing in the air, no sign of a tractor or any other vehicle moving about in the field. My claws end up scratching the back of my head, and for a moment I was relieved.

"Looks like no one's home then." I sighed. Perhaps I've gotten used to seeing Anthros that I need to see suddenly popping up at Oakfield. I forgot that journalism work also entails absence of the interviewee.