by Melissa R. Bickel

Created on: October 12, 2009   Last Updated: December 21, 2009

The township of Harvest sat back in the mountains of Gila, New Mexico. A small township unknown to the world except for those who stumbled upon it, or those who founded it and still lived there.  A quiet sort of town untouched by the fast paced world of electronics and consumerism. One would think Harvest was the perfect setting for a Norman Rockwell painting, except for the fact few saw it and those who did never left.

Miranda didn't know her future was to be set in plaster, when she pulled into what she'd consider an old fashioned Phillips 66 gas station. The gas pumps looked like they'd been there since the early fifties. Round shaped tops, with red and white color, had her thinking of a photo which hung in her hallway back home. In that photo, her grandfather casually leaned against the side of a gas pump similar to these she was looking at now.

With that image in her head she reached to open her door, but before she could exit, a tap on the driver side window startled her. It was a crazy world and one could never to be safe, so Miranda rolled her window down about an inch to talk to the gentleman waiting patiently next to window.

"Sorry about that miss, didn't mean to startle you. I'm Gus and this here station is a full service station and I wanted to get out here before you got out. What can I do for you?"

Miranda gave an embarrassed laughed and flashed her appreciative smile at the attendant. "Fill her up then." Looking at the cheerful unassuming gas station attendant made her smile. He certainly fit the image of someone working here, dressed in striped overalls and wearing a baseball cap, Miranda once again thought of her grandfather.

Taking the opportunity to look around her, Miranda noticed that Harvest really was a secluded little town. If she'd not taken that road which seemed to mysteriously appear out of no where, she'd never known this town existed.

"Is there anything else I can help you with", Gus asked, after filling up Miranda's car with gas.

Miranda nodding her head asked if there was a place she could stay the night. Since she was here, she might as well explore this little town. She had been going to get fuel and be on her way, but quickly changed her mind. No one was expecting her for a few days, so she'd take this time for herself.

Miss, Harvest isn't one of those towns which welcomes visitors. What I mean is, everyone is friendly, but this town is different. It's an old sort of place with different traditions than most. While it looks

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