The ten-year-old felt the soft mud underneath her chest. She didn't care; she needed to stay hidden. She had to continually remind herself not to lift her head too quickly or risk hitting the tractor's underside. She listened to the sound of gravel crunching under large boots, he drew near. The crunching ceased, as the boots stepped into the barn. She watched the boats traverse through the dirt, kicking up dust.
He bent down to get a quick glimpse of his great-granddaughter rolling out from underneath the trailer. The ten-year-old sprinted out of the barn, taking a hard right. She raced towards the silo, attempting to get the high ground. The corn stocks had been picked, leaving her with no cover. The ten-year-olds breath was running low as she grabbed the ladder of the silo. The ten-year-old pulled herself up before hearing two words.
"You're it!" The great grandfather yelled, rushing back towards the barn.
The great grandfather went for cover behind the barn. He knew his pursuer drew near. He heard her distant breathing as she tapped him on the back. He stumbled forward, rolling down the hill behind the barn while his great-granddaughter followed. The two reached the bottom, hugging. The great grandfather looked off into the distance, confused.
YOU ARE READING
The Stranger
Short Story"I know you're still in there, I wish I could talk to you one more time." The story of a great-granddaughter growing up with her great grandfather, who slowly becomes more sporadic.
