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 welcoming, Harvest just isn't for everyone. Take for instance the last couple who stopped in Harvest, they went missing and were never found."
"You're kidding," Miranda said. She looked at Gus's face to look for signs of laughter within those aged blue eyes. Something twinkled there, but was it laughter Miranda wondered?
Laughing at Gus's look, Miranda told Gus, "I know it's almost time for Halloween and you're trying to scare me"!
"No ma'am, I'm not kidding. Those visitors wanted to look around. Don't blame them, Harvest is a quaint town, but things happen here. Those people I told you about, they stayed to celebrate the "Harvest Moon Festival" with us last Halloween, but when Mildred (the Inn Keeper) went to wake them for breakfast the next day...they were gone! Their car, luggage, and other belongings were still here, but they were gone."
Miranda laughed out loud. "Oh that is good, you almost had me convinced. I'm not easily tricked though. You're just pulling my leg.
"Ma'am, I warned you! You'll find Mildred's around the bend there. Tell her Gus sent you and she'll give you a good rate."
"Thanks Gus, and thanks for the story too."
Mildred's bed and breakfast was where Gus said it was. A stately two story house with large gables. Miranda couldn't believe her eyes. It was breathtaking. Mildred's was nestled in amongst several Douglas Firs which backed up against the Gila mountains. To the right of the house a small building sat in a clearing. Surrounding the building were the cutest little ceramic trolls all decked out in red and yellow outfits. Each were posed in various states of movement. To the left a small garden with vegetables and flowers.
Getting out of her car, Miranda was half way up the steps when she noticed a plump granny like woman coming her way. Wiping her hands on her apron, the woman extended her hands out to Miranda.
"Welcome, welcome to Harvest, Miranda." Laughing, Mildred said,"Gus called and told me you were on your way. Let's go inside and get you situated for the night. I know Gus must have told you the story about the others who visited Harvest. Pay him no mind. He likes to get everyone who passes this way all riled up." We don't get many visitors to our town, so it's a treat when someone visits and...stays.
"He almost had me convinced, you know about the story" Miranda told Mildred. "Your town is lovely. I didn't realize Harvest was even here. I just sort of stumbled upon it."
"Well, you're here now and you couldn't have come at a better time. We're having a barbecue in town tonight. The town looks so pretty in the moon's glow. The food is good and you really need to see the town at night."
"What time does it start"? Miranda loved the way Mildred's cheeks were all rosy looking. Kind of reminded Miranda of her grandmother. "I'd love to see the town in the daylight, before evening sets. Especially since I'll be staying over just this one night.
"It starts at 7.00 p.m. my dear. Everyone will be there and I know they'd love to welcome you to our little town. There isn't many of us, but we know how to throw a party." Mildred turned to walk away, then stopped. Looking at Miranda she said,"wear something red and yellow, it's tradition." Turning, Mildred left Miranda standing in the middle of room five.
Something red and yellow Miranda thought, did she have something red and yellow packed away in her suitcase? Thinking out loud, Miranda named off all she'd brought. She had it. She'd wear her red sneakers and her yellow scarf. They wouldn't look too out of place with a pair of jeans and white top.
Taking her camera with her, Miranda decided to get some pictures of the trolls she seen when she drove up. Leaving the house she made her way to the clearing. Funny how they'd looked so cute from a distance. Upon closer inspection, Miranda saw they looked rather scared and kind of creepy. One had its hands thrown across his face like it had seen something scary. Another's eyes looked like they were bugging out. One of the girl trolls was crouched liked she'd been trying to hide from something.
Really they didn't look like any trolls she'd ever seen before, they had more of human quality than a trollish look. Miranda decided she didn't like what she saw. Especially those last two troll something or another's. One was a male, the other a female. The look on their faces sent shivers up her spine.
A little disturbed Miranda headed towards the few buildings which made up the town of Harvest. Mildred was right, there wasn't many town folk, but the ones she saw were friendly. It was a bit odd, the way they looked at her after she passed them by. She knew they were looking even though she never turned around to look back. It was a feeling she got, perhaps she should leave. Maybe there was something to that story Gus had told her.
Chiding herself for being foolish, she headed back to the bed and breakfast to change for the barbecue. First a bath, then she'd get ready. She really did wanted to go, she mused as she bathed. She'd never been to a small town barbecue before. Better hurry up or they'd have everything gone before she got there.
As Miranda was getting ready, unknown to her, Gus, Mildred and the town folk had gathered at town hall to discuss Miranda's fate. If Miranda had known they'd gathered to talk about her being the newest addition to their town, she'd left right then, bare naked and without her belongings, just to get away.
"Now Gus you know the rules, Mildred stated. If anyone stays the night in Harvest during the month of October, they become part of the town. It's been that way since we made the deal with the Gila Cliff Dwellers a hundred years ago. Not everyone finds their way here to Harvest. Those that do are the chosen."
"I just wanted to give her the opportunity to leave, Gus muttered. It's not like we need anymore unsuspecting visitors forced to become a permanent resident here. Even if they seem to suit our collection already."
"Gus you know the rules," Mildred stated. If no one else has anything to say, lets get this party started."
She didn't look half bad. Giving herself another once over in the mirror, Miranda set out for the festival. The whole town seemed to be there, for all see could see was a sea of red and yellow. Some wore their colors in clothes, others jewelry. Some were waving red and yellow flags. She was glad she'd had something in red and yellow to wear to the festivities.
For a second Miranda could have sworn everyone was looking at her again. A grumbling stomach had her switching thoughts and as she smelled a variety of foods, her stomach rumbled again. As she was heading for a food booth, Mildred walked up to her and handed her a plate food.
Looking at Miranda's face as she stared at the mound of food on the plate, Mildred said to her, "Come and join Gus and I, we were just getting ready to sit down ourselves."
Grateful for the invite, Miranda placed her food on the table. "So, Gus tell me do you enjoy trying to scare the pants off people? I suppose since it's the season for the odd and scary, you come up with some good ones". Picking up her fork, Miranda started shoveling food in her mouth. She hoped Gus would tell her a bit more about Harvest and its history.
"Well now, miss, it's a true story I tell ya. It's been one that has been told yearly for the last hundred years. I hate to think we'd taken advantage of someone without giving them the opportunity to drive away."
Miranda paused in between bites, to look at Gus, expecting to see humor clouding his eyes. What she saw, besides a glazed look, was truth instead. Turning to look at Mildred, Miranda saw the same expression upon her face. In fact everyone had stopped what they were doing and were now looking at Miranda.
Miranda gasped and tried to get up. Gus put his hand on her shoulder pushing her back down.
"Now, miss don't be in such a hurry. We all like you here. You'll make a nice addition to our town. The cliff dwellers like you or you wouldn't have found your way here. That road you came in on doesn't exist but once a year. It appears only to those who have that something special the Cliff Dwellers like. Miranda they like you."
Miranda was terrified and almost speechless, she couldn't believe this was happening. "Who are the cliff dwellers, she squeaked out? What do they want with me. Please, I can't stay. In fact I need to leave right now"!
"The cliff dwellers Miranda are those who protect and watch over Harvest, Mildred began, as Gus said it's been this way for over a hundred years. Each year that road you came on only calls the chosen, this year it's you. Yes, Miranda, you'll make a nice addition to our little town. I recognized that the first time I laid eyes on you."
Everyone nodded their head in agreement. Before Miranda knew what was happening, everyone began to chant. A chant as old as time, but still as potent and lethal as poison. The wind started blowing and the trees quaked with the force of the chant. Miranda was feeling light headed, her life was being pulled from her body and there was nothing she could do. As tears fell from her eyes, Miranda was no more.
Mildred put her newest guest with the rest. She really liked this one. The tears added a haunting look. The yellow scarf and red shoes were perfect. How pretty this one was. Turning to leave, Mildred looked back over her shoulder and said, "yes, Miranda, you make such an nice addition to our town." Funny how the Cliff Dwellers always know who'll fit in."
Somewhere in amongst scrolls of treated skins, lies the history of Harvest. It tells of a curse placed upon a plot of land which would "harvest people" who happened to sleep upon its ground every October. Keepers of this (land) which came to be known as "Harvest", would tend to the ones who were called to fulfill the curses wish every year.