The Last Harvest(85)

“I don’t want you to remember her like this. Ali wouldn’t want you to remember her like this.”

“What do you expect me to do?” I swallow hard. “Just wait out here … and do what?”

“Pray.” She squeezes my shoulder before disappearing inside the barn and latching the door behind her.





58

I PACE the red earth in front of the barn, listening to the horror that must be happening inside—the bellowing of the priests, the holy water sizzling against skin, the screams of agony coming out of Tyler and Ali.

I run around the barn, like I did on that night when I saw Ali emerge from the cow. I get glimpses, but the priests hover over them, their black robes engulfing the scene. I press my face against the splintery wood. Ali screams out in pain. I can’t stand this … not being able to do anything to help her.

The sky groans and I wonder if Miss Granger’s right. I haven’t prayed since Dad died, but I’m willing to try if it will help Ali. I’ll do anything to make this stop.

I tear myself away from the barn and go to the only place that makes sense.

The wheat.

The place where it all began. Where it will end.

I keep walking until I can pretend their screams are just the wind whipping through the plains. A low grumbling thunders above me. As I look up at the sky, at the dark clouds amassing, I’m suddenly afraid for Ali’s soul.

“Is this what you want?” I scream up at the heavens. “You want me on my knees?”

I drop to the ground, my hands digging into the fertile soil, the very land my ancestors traded our souls for … their own flesh and blood. “For this?” I scream, hot tears streaming down my face. “You can’t let the Devil take her for this!”

A bolt of lightning strikes over the breeding barn, making the hair on my entire body stand on end.

“I hear you. I feel you,” I call up to God, my chin trembling, my body weak. “I’m sorry I turned my back on you after Dad died. I’m sorry I didn’t see. You’ve kept me strong, kept me safe. I’m asking for a second chance. I won’t waste it. I’ll make you proud … you’ll see. But I need your help right now. There’s a girl back there”—I glance toward the breeding barn shrouded in inky darkness—“a girl I can’t live without. Ali. I know you’ve been watching out for her, too. But I need you to take the Devil from her. I need her to walk out of that barn. I need her to come back to me. I can’t do this without her. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Give me this one thing and I’ll never doubt you again. I’ll marry her. Just please bring her back to me the way she was before. It might be my last chance. Our last chance.”

I clench my eyes shut and whisper, “I plead the blood. I plead the blood.” I feel the bitter wind whipping across my face. I hear the groan of the breeding barn. The sky screaming in my ears. “I plead the blood. I plead the blood.” I say it over and over again until the screaming subsides. And when I open my eyes there’s a sliver of golden light trying to break through the clouds.

And just like that, I know it’s God. He heard me. If that tiny speck of light can break through the darkness, it might be enough to save her. All of us.

I run my palms over my head, lacing my hands around the back of my neck, and stare up at the sky, at the golden light overpowering the darkness.

I let out a joyous burst of laughter.

That glorious Oklahoma sky—it’ll make a believer out of anybody. Even me.

The light spills over the wheat, making it look like fields of gold.

I start running back toward the breeding barn, my heart pounding with anticipation.

The barn door creaks open and I stop. I don’t even dare take a breath.

Ali walks out. She looks different. Like a thousand pounds have been lifted from her shoulders.

I know that dress—cream colored with tiny pink rosebuds on it. It’s the same dress she wore on the night she came to my room … the night I kissed her and she ran out of my house crying.

“Clay.” Ali runs toward me, flinging her arms around my neck. “Where have you been? I’m so happy to see you.”

I tense up at first, but the feel of her in my arms, the sound of her voice … this is Ali. The real Ali. “I’ve been waiting for you,” I say as I hold her tight. “Thank you,” I mouth to Miss Granger, who’s standing in the doorway of the breeding barn, tears streaming down her face. Whatever happened in there, it clearly took a toll on her.

I pry Ali’s arms loose. “I’ll be right back.”

I walk over to Miss Granger. “Is Tyler—”

“He didn’t make it.” She wipes her sleeve across her face.

“What happened?”

“He couldn’t be saved,” she says as she closes the door to the barn behind her. “But Ali’s clean. She’s free of this darkness.”

“Thanks to you.”

“No.” She gently takes my hand. “Thanks to you. I think it’s your love for Ali that saved her. That pulled her through.”

“What happens now?” I ask, trying not to imagine the horror of what’s inside that barn.

“Take Ali to your house. Give me a few hours to clean up here. We’ll come for you at sundown. Everything will be clear.”