Ring, Ring
No answer.
Knock, knock
“M? Are you okay? It’s me, Primrose. I brought you your favorite baked treats!”
No answer.
“Oh come on M I know you’re in there please answer the door,” Primrose loudly whispers.
Knock, knock, knock.
“M! Please answer! I know you’re in there! Are you okay?!”
Primrose knocked harder.
No answer.
I'll try texting her. Primrose places the box of treats on the ground and takes her phone from her pocket. Primrose texted, “M? Is everything ok? You've been ignoring me for months now. Are you alive?” Primrose deleted the alive part, maybe that was too much. She has to be alive, right? Primrose thought. Primrose leaves failing again. This is her 46th time reaching out to her in person and that's not even counting all 103 text messages, 32 DM’s, five letters sent by mail, and 19 emails. Like who even uses emails anymore? M has been off the grid for six weeks. Where is she? All anyone knows is that she's alive because at exactly 11 o'clock all of her windows glow almost brighter than the sun, and loud noises come out of her house that extend to 150 decibels.
Something is not right
…
It's almost impossible to focus in school for Kasen. He can't stop thinking about the forest, diner, and wedding. Mr Henson had already scolded him three times for not paying attention.
“Kasen!” Kasen winced.
“Yes,” he said. Mr Henson had a frown on his face, and it struck terror into many hearts. Jeffery gave Kasen a look of pity.
“This is the fourth time you have been caught not paying attention. Now, come up to the board and write.” He grabbed a piece of chalk and turned to the board. “I will pay attention to Mr Henson's teaching in school.” The chalk squeaked loudly in the silent room. Once Mr Henson finished he crossed his arms and looked at Kasen expectantly.
Kasen sighed and got up from his seat. He walked up to the chalkboard, glancing at Emerald as he passed. When he got to the chalkboard he took the chalk from Mr Henson and wrote the words in his best handwriting. When he used the chalk it didn't squeak. Kasen wondered if Mr Henson squeaked the chalk on purpose.
…
Emerald didn't know what to do. She had finished chores and dinner wasn't ready yet. Emotionally chooses to head to her room and read a book. That’s all she could think of.
Emerald headed upstairs, once she got to her room she saw that her window was open and cold air was breezing in since the sun was starting to set. Emerald looked out her window and saw the farm and Ruben working hard near the potatoes by himself since their father was still in Chicago. Emerald looked out into the distance her view from her window was astonishing. You could see miles away from her room. Emerald noticed a bright glow coming from Miller's house. At first, Emerald thought they were making a bonfire but the glow was too big and was on their house.
“Oh my goodness! The Miller's house is on fire!”
Emerald dashed downstairs yelling for her mom on the way down.
“Mom the Miller’s house is on fire! I saw it from my bedroom.” Emerald’s mother froze for a moment.
“Oh! It's going to take a while for the fire department to come. You warn Rueben. I'll get James and get pails of water. Also, get the wagon and horses ready.” Emerald’s mom turns off the stove and pats her hands on her apron. She unties her apron and places it on the kitchen counter. She starts to fill a pail of water while calling for James. While Emerald's mom does that Emerald heads outside and rushes to tell Rueben what is happening. Rueben rushes inside to help their mom and Emerald gets the wagon ready she attaches it to Stallion and places some tarp onto the wagon. Rueben rushes outside with two large pails of water in his hands. Water spills out while he rushes over. He places them onto the wagon spilling some as he does it. Emerald’s mom comes out holding two and James comes out barely holding one. Rueben helps his mom and after he helps James. They all hop onto the wagon and leave.
Once they arrive they see some other families have arrived too. Emerald looks at the house, the fire still raging inside. Emerald leaves checking if everyone is safe. She sees the Millers have left the house. Alice, Arthur, and Mrs. Miller. Emerald has never seen Mr. Miller so she didn't count him. Emerald sees Ruth, Velma, and Allen with Alice and Arthur. Emerald walks over.
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“Ruth, where’s Kasen.” Ruth turns around shocked to see Emerald.
“Oh, I don't know.” Emerald was about to open her mouth for a follow-up question but Ruth interrupted her.
“Oh and no follow-up questions. I don't have the time.” Ruth returns to what she was doing before.
Emerald turns to the fire. She sees a small scrawny body upstairs where the fire is at most. She stares at it longer.
It's Kasen.
Emerald runs into the burning house without a thought. On the way up the stairs Emerald trips and falls. She doesn't feel a thing. She continues hurrying upstairs. She runs over and pushes the door open. Kasen looks at her standing inside.
“KASEN!” Emerald yells.
“Kasen you need to get out of here!” Emerald points out the door. Kasen doesn't listen.
“Kasen! What are you doing?” Emerald continues to yell. Kasen coughs. Kasen takes the rags and closes the windows so air doesn't come in. He takes another rag and places it underneath a doorway. He finally stands up and examines Emerald.
“Your face, it's gushing blood.” Emerald touches her face. Blood was on her hand. Kasen continues to cough.
“We need to get out.” without thinking Emerald grabs Kasen's hand.
Flash
“Oh no oh no oh no!” Emerald exclaims.
They’re back at the wedding.
“Okay, Emerald, why don't we tend to your wounds while they leave the ceremony?” Emerald nodded. Kasen had a rag already in his hand. He hands it over to Emerald.
Kasen turns over to the bride and groom. And Emerald dabbed her wound. There was a lot more blood coming out than she thought.
Instead of the bride and groom leaving the church like normal, they stay there.
“Why is it getting dark?” Emerald says scared the life out of her.
The room has gone pitch black.
Kasen felt a tight grasp on his arm, he knew it was Emerald. The air became groggy and thick with smoke. Kasen and Emerald started to cough. Emerald held her eyes shut and so did Kasen. Yelling was heard from a distance. Emerald recognized the voice. It was Mr. Henson. Emerald opened her eyes.
They were back in the fiery room. Immediately without thinking Emerald yanked Kasen out of the room and they ran down the stairs. Emerald looked around, the front entrance was blocked by debris but the back door was wide open. Kasen could barely process what was happening. His eyes were barely opened too. They threw themselves out of the house and ran back to safety. Emerald’s hand was still tightly grasped onto Kasen’s arm.
Emerald could see some people in the distance(The Miller’s house is huge!) but Emerald and Kasen weren't close enough for them to see them.
“They're too far away,” Emerald said, sounding like she was about to pass out. And she fell to the ground. Kasen saw her and ran to catch her. As he caught her he tripped over a rock and fell on the ground with Emerald in his arms.
Kasen looked at her for a moment. Her grimy face with smoke and dust all over her. Kasen felt one of her hands. It was still soft even with all the filth on it. Kasen immediately dropped her hand once he saw her eyes opening.
Emerald felt comfort for some reason. Maybe I'm on a really soft rock. Emerald thought. She felt an arm around her. Or maybe I'm hallucinating. She opens her eyes to see Kasen. I’m on top of Kasen. Emerald eyes widen. She immediately rolls off of him and gets up. Kasen gets up too.
“Why did you go in there!” Emerald exclaimed while trying to brush off some of the dirt from her clothes.
“I thought I could help.” Kasen shrugged.
“But- but, you could have been hurt! Or even worse!”
“Emerald, I'm okay.”
Emerald saw a person in bright clothing coming at her.
“EM!” Roselle said, running up to her and hugging her.
“Roselle,” Emerald said, enjoying the hug.
“I'm so glad you're okay.”
Roselle and Emerald stay in their hug for a while Kasen just stares but after a moment he thought maybe that was weird so he walked away. Roselle lets go of the hug and holds her hands.
“So… you and Kasen?” Roselle had a smirk on her face.
“I am just going to ignore that question.” Emerald turns her head to the side to not show Roselle her reaction.
“Em, your face…” Roselle rubs her hand against the cut on her face. It was healing quickly but it was still noticeable.
“We need to get you cleaned up.” Roselle puts her arm around Emerald and they walk toward the front of the house where everyone else was.
…
Beep Beep Beep
“911 what’s your emergency.”
The person calling was huffing and puffing profusely
“My neighbor,” the person paused, “I-I think she's dead.”
“And what's this person's name?” The Communications officer asked.
“Mel-M-Melaine…” The phone died before the person could say her last name.
…
It was a Thursday afternoon. And on this Thursday afternoon, you could find Emerald and Kasen at the church.
For Alice’s pet goose’s funeral.
Kasen yawned. He watched as the pastor opened the funeral by giving the goose a small prayer for grace in the afterlife. Kasen looked at the small wooden box on top of a small, damaged, pedestal. The box looked like it was made in a rush. With cracks and nails sticking out, the box was covered in black tar and some of it was dripping off onto the floor. This box was supposed to be Alice’s goose’s casket.
The pastor finished his speech but Kasen didn't pay any attention. Alice’s mom came up to the lectern to give a small speech. She looked like she was trying to cry but she looked like she was about to laugh instead of crying. She stepped up to the lecture and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
“I am here today,” Mrs. Miller started, “to show my gratitude, respect, and love for this lovely goose.” Mrs. Miller starts sobbing, but it sounds forced and more like a chuckle than anything. She dabbed her eyes again.
“This goose had a beautiful name,” she stopped speaking and stared off into the distance. After a short moment, she turned to Alice, bent down to her, and loudly whispered, “Alice what's her name again?”
Alice didn't even whisper, she said “his name is Fertilizer.” Mrs. Miller’s eyes grew wide. She stood back up and straightened her back.
“And that beautiful name was, was, fertilizer. He was a great addition to our family. And gave my daughter so much joy.” Mrs. Miller looked like she was about to burst out laughing. She walked away from the lectern with her head down.
Alice walked up to the lectern with wet cheeks and red eyes. You could barely see her face since the lectern was in front of her. She kept sobbing and sobbing. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Fertilizer.” Was the only word that left her mouth. She began to cry and the crying didn't stop. Whispers were passed between people sitting in the pews. After a short moment, Mrs. Miller had to come up to her and carry her off the stage. The pastor came up to close the funeral.
“I hope we all remember this day, for Fertilizer.”
“For Fertilizer.” the whole church repeated.
People started leaving the church. Kasen looked for Emerald. Roselle and Emerald were leaving the church and Kasen ran up to catch up with them. Emerald and Roselle gave a good laugh and hugged. Roselle left to catch up with her father while Emerald slowly walked towards the path to her house. Kasen ran up to Emerald. He saw the cut on her face was healing but it was still noticeable.
“Hi Emerald,” Kasen said. Emerald turned to him, her eyes lit up.
“Hi, Kasen! How are you?”
“Well, that funeral was absolutely hilarious.” He gave a good laugh.
“KASEN!” Emerald slapped Kasen’s shoulder.
“Sorry, sorry.” He wiped a tear away.
“It's not funny, Alice really cared about fertilizer.” Emerald crossed her arms. That comment made Kasen laugh even more.
“Fertilizer,” Kasen said in between his laughs. Emerald looked at Kasen realizing what she just said. It sounded ridiculous. Kasen couldn't stop laughing and at a point, Emerald joined in on the laughing too.
They finally both calmed down and caught their breaths. Kasen stared at Emerald’s cheek for a short moment.
“I was wondering,” Kasen started, “if I could walk you home?”
“Wrong.” A small child said.
“We are walking you home.” Ruth, Allen, and Velma stood elbow to elbow next to each other. Emerald chucked.
“That would be lovely.” Emerald said.