A Returning Voice

For the Roseneath Writers Circle Monthly Assignment

Photo by: Sandy Millar (@sandym10) | Unsplash Photo Community

As darkness settled over Mesher farm Bert had just finished his chores. He cleaned up best he could in the barn. Vicki had objected to him cleaning up in the house so he washed himself down the best he could in the barn before going to the house for a shower. As he reached the back door Vicki stepped outside.

“Have you seen Carrie?” she asked.

“Not since lunch,” Bert replied. “She’s not in the house?”

“No. She said she was going for a walk down to the stream but that was hours ago. I expected her to be back by now.”

“Don’t worry….” started Bert.

“I’m not worried,” snapped Vicki.

Bert gave her a look as he reached out and hugged her. Vicki quickly evaded his touch as she started towards the path through the woods.

“Wait,” he called out. “Let me get my flashlight.”

When he returned Vicki stood frozen in the farmyard. As Bert approached her he could see that she was holding something.

“What is it?” he asked.

Vicki held up a shoe. “It’s hers,” she said.

Bert called out. “Carrie! Carrie!” as they walked towards the path with nerves pushing their muscles. As they stepped into the woods Bert’s light caught another object.

“What is it?” asked Vicki, quietly with trepidation.

“The other shoe.” replied Ben as he stooped to pick it up. It looked like it had just fallen off her foot. He swung his light around wildly and then kept moving forward on the path.

A number of steps later Bert’s light caught another object in its swath. As he got closer Vicki pushed quickly past him and plucked the ribbon from the branch.

“I’m scared,” stated Vicki in an agitated voice.

“Carrie,” called Ben in a louder voice. “Carrie.” This continued on for the rest of the path. Their voices boomed out Carrie’s name with increasing urgency. Suddenly Bert stopped at the opening of the path near the river. He swung his flashlight around wildly until he spotted something sitting on the tree stump.

“Carrie!” he called out running forward.

“What is it?” questioned a running Vicki.

“”Carrie!” he called out as he picked up the doll that was sitting on the stump. “It looks like she’s been here,” he said. “Carrie,” he called out again as he swung his light along the banks of the creek. Vicki pulled Carrie’s doll from his arms and cradled it with increasing sobs.

“She wouldn't have abandoned this doll!” Vicki exclaimed. “She loves the fact that we made it to look like her!” Vicki sobbed. “She’s gone.”

“Now hush,” replied Bert. “Let’s head back to the house. I will make some phone calls and get a search party going.

While Bert made his phone calls Vicki carried the doll up to Carrie’s room and placed it on her bed. “It will be here for her when she returns,” thought Vicki.

A little while later cars were pulling into the farmyard. With each car, pairs of people were sent out in many directions from the clearing by the stream. By morning all had returned, exhausted with no further signs of Carrie.

Tired beyond exhaustion Bert and Vicki laid down in the rising morning sun to catch a few hours of sleep before resuming their search.

Just as Vicki’s eyes began to close she heard a voice calling from the silence.

“Mama. Mama.” Vicki’s eyes flew open and she raced from the bedroom.

“Mama. Mama” Vicki raced down the hall. She stood in Carrie’s doorway hoping beyond belief that her daughter would be in her bed. She dissolved into tears as she observed the empty room. She walked over and picked up the doll before curling up on the bed. She hugged the doll deeply as she drifted off to sleep.

“Mama, that is too tight,” said Carrie.

Quickly Vicki opened her eyes and screamed.