Farmhands
The bell marked three days that the child laid in the hay, his head encased in an itchy sack. Six in the morning, twelve at mid-day, and six at the end of light. With each set of chimes he heard the shuffling of feet and a whistle.
Later, at the strike of the bell, he would fall into formation with the others.
Dust swirled around a motorcar in the distant field. Their father shot at the car , and the children stood still as instructed.
Number seven was taken because he was too weak, they were told.
Not a one touched their harvest that night, consumed by a hunger for weakness.
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Genre: Horror
Copyright – David Stewart
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AmyReeseWrites 
This was really eerie to me Amy. wow, I could picture the kids. You are going to give me nightmares!
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I’ve always liked the chiming of bells, too! It must be this computer. It’s filling me with darkness. Thanks, Jackie!
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Chilling. Very nice. And I’m happy to report this post came to both my email and my reader. We’re back on track. 🙂
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Thank you, Carrie. Yay!! Thanks for the update. It’s good to know.
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So good to have found you, Bum- I mean Amy!
And holy cow. You just wrote your bum off up there. (I was going to say ass, but then I couldn’t resist.) But seriously, well played. This one’s staying with me.
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Ha ha, Jen. I’m so happy you found me too. You can all me Bumble or Bum anytime, in any context. Thanks. Glad you liked it!
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First…yeah!…you are still doing Friday Fictioneers.
Second…I have those niggley things going up and down my spine. This is very eerie. I’m glad I don’t live in the country with a lot of hay bales around.
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Oooh, I love your enthusiasm, Michelle! Of course, I’m still doing FF. I wouldn’t miss it. Well, I did last week. Thanks, Michelle. I’m glad you have niggley going up and down your spine. That means I was successful. Beware of the hay.
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I was torn between reading them as creepy scarecrows, and creepy people
Either way, creepy!
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Scarecrows are creepy, aren’t they? I hadn’t thought of that image. Thanks, Guapo!
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Eerie and chilling…what’s not to love?
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Thanks and thanks for reading.
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Dad sounds like a role model. Spooky.
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Lovely, huh?
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Wow. Great build-up of suspense. Great story!
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Thank you, Jan!
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Not something I’d like to witness for myself…sadly violent. Well done.
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Me, either. Thank you.
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A lot happening in this very short story. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Patrick.
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Great last phrase, Amy: “consumed by a hunger for weakness.” Very dark and chilling…
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Thank, Cathy. I appreciate that.
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That is wicked ominous…
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Thanks, Trent!
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And I like ominous… never an easy thing to write in.
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Well, I try. 🙂 I agree, it is a challenge.
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that was so creepy… and violent and … creepy. wonderfully done. and i loved the title.
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Thanks, KZ.
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Sounds like a horrible movie. I don’t really know what exactly is going on or why but I know I want it to stop!!
janet
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It would be hard to watch. Good thing it’s only a 100-word story. Thanks, Janet.
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This hurt my heart.
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Sorry, Dawn.
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I want to be weak too. Can I? Can I? Please??
I can almost see this story as prisoners in a forced-labor camp too. Spooky.
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Well written but I’m not exactly sure of the context of the story. It’s chilling though.
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Thanks. Well, it takes place on a farm. Beyond that, there is not much else provided. Did you have a specific question?
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I reread my last comment to you and I want to try again. That was not a very good explanation at all! Sorry about that. The kids in my story are abducted. The blue car came along to rescue one of the kids. They’re all brainwashed. Maybe too much for 100 words. I can see now how it could be interpreted a whole different way. Anyway, thanks for asking.
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It’s quite creepy, Amy. I like it! Several scenarios come to mind as to what is happening. I’m not sure about the car though. Great ending line. 🙂
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Thanks, David. Well, the car came to the rescue. These kids are being abducted and brainwashed, not that all that came through! I bite off a bit much with this one. 🙂
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That’s what I guessed, with the car, but just making sure. 🙂
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Oh and that title.. what a horrid place..
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Poor things.
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Wow! Amy this is such a richly layered piece… I have had to read it three times, as I feel I’m missing something. The layers are so intriguing and well done. Great work!
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Thanks, Dawn. I think I tried to do too much with this. But here it is. I’m glad you liked it!
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This is very chilling indeed!
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Thanks for reading, Dianne!
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Dark and chilling-made me shudder-poor kids!
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Thank you. I know, huh? Those kids should just run.
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Ha!ha!I agree-maybe they are too scared 🙂
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Glad I don’t live near a farm or haystacks. Those are some creepy word pictures, Amy. I may never look at a bell the same way either. Nice work!
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Thank you, Anka. Ha ha. You don’t have to worry about farms and haystacks.
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Wow. Very good Amy.
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Thank you, Audra.
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Very nice and strong ending 🙂 Hunger for weakness- well written.
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Thank you for your nice comments. I struggled with this one a bit.
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It does not betray it 🙂 good job
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Thanks! 🙂
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Creepy and chilling. So good!
Loving the new look, by the way 😉
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Thanks! I’m glad you like it. It’s to good to have a change. 🙂
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