Eighty-four

Andreas woke up early, as he did every day, and got dressed in his work clothes. He was a farmer now, working alongside the other men in the fields from dawn until dusk. It was hard work, but he found it therapeutic. It gave him something to focus on besides the pain and the emptiness that had consumed him since Rebecca's disappearance.

He walked outside and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. The sun had just risen, and the sky was painted with shades of pink and orange. The men were already out in the fields, tending to the crops and livestock. Andreas joined them without a word, nodding to each of them in greeting.

The dog, a large and intimidating Doberman, followed closely behind Andreas as he made his way to the fields. Buddy had always been protective of Rebecca and had taken her disappearance just as hard as Andreas had. She had become even more fiercely loyal to Andreas since then, never leaving his side.

As Andreas worked in the fields, he thought about Rebecca.