Reap (The Harvest Saga Book 1) by Casey L. Bond Page B

certainly were hot. They would be different and somehow, that alone was appealing. New.
    Most of the girls kept to their usual cliques from home. They would wave and smile but rarely attempted to converse. Laney spoke with disappointment that the few guys she had seen had been guarded by the females from their villages like hellacious she-cats. But, their relationships were built on years of trust and familiarity. No doubt some were intended, betrothed, and excited to be joined together as one.
    It was announced yesterday morning by team leaders, by Kyan, that all couples in attendance who were already intended would be joined in marriage at the harvest festival in approximately one week’s time.
    Kyan’s eyes had found mine during this announcement. They were hard. He was steeling himself for what lay just around the bend. For Paige. The words he had uttered to me kept screaming through my mind, “I don’t love her...”
    We passed by the fun house. Inside, fastened to the walls, among the leaves, dead branches and creeping things, were mirrors that could make you look extremely tall and thin, short and round, or as if your body had no bones at all. The reflection would wave back and forth distorting reality. Bottles that once contained sweet apple wine littered the corner of the room, remnants of the fun of youth.
    Many times, Laney had dragged me out here with her to partake in the festivities. Sure, it was a bit on the macabre side as far as entertainment was concerned. But, it was ours. Away from prying village eyes sat our strange, long forgotten place of refuge. And, it was exactly that. The Greaters didn’t even know it existed.
    A game booth, its wooden counter sunken and rotting in the middle, sat next to the fun house. Dry rotted teddy bear pelts were still tacked to its walls, prizes that would have delighted any child passing by. One could still see the faded, peeling remnants of the vibrant colors that once coated it, that had once coaxed passersby to stop by and enjoy a little bit of fun and excitement.
    A structure with little cars, the backs of which had long poles that connected to the ceiling with small swiveled wheels, sat to our left. Several more ghostly booths and stands lined the familiar concrete pathway. Sunken basketballs and dry rotted nets hung from their rusted metal, bent hoops pointed down or to the sides at odd angles. 
    A spinning prize wheel creaked eerily when the breeze took hold and teetered it. Freak show oddities with promises to delight and astound, were shouted out in lettering that was once bold and must have been quite a sight to behold when new.
    The pathway diverged. To the left, I could see it. A giant steel and wooden loop stretched into the sky, in the middle of the forest. The steep hill that led to it had been a pathway into adulthood. Many a boy would be turned into a man attempting to climb those hills and defy gravity on a dangerous but important dare. But, Laney hooked her elbow with mine and steered me to the right.
    A Ferris wheel, its cars dangling precariously, rusted and hollow, unoccupied, filled my vision. The metal, once red, was now rust. Vines wound their way up to some of the lower cars, as if anchoring the structure to the ground, or swallowing it up from below. Reclaiming it to the earth. Dust to Dust.
    The dancing firelight illuminated the structure and laughter, whoops, and hollers lift into the night sky, like embers from a fire. A good time was being had by all. Clusters of people, some sticking to their village friends scattered around the fire, bottles of apple wine everywhere. I wondered where and who had been able to get their hands on a shipment this big. Surely, someone would notice such a supply decrease. My palms began to sweat and I felt like running away.
    Laney must have sensed my tension, because she looked my way, pinning me with her eyes, shaking her head. “No way. We’re here to have fun. Not to think. Let’s get a drink and loosen