Chapter 5: Find the Corn

“That is the worst game guide I have ever seen and I play a lot of games at home.” Dylan said.

“The only games you play at home are music simulators.” Noah replied.

“I’ll have you know that all the guides in those games are far better than him. At least they know how to do their jobs.” Dylan replied.

“How do we even know being a guide is his job?” Jill asked.

“Let’s just get this over with and not think too hard about it or we’ll end up being sucked into some kind of twisted mystery and nothing good ever comes out of that so just raise your left hand like he said.” Cassidy replied.

As they raised their left hands a screen popped up in front of each of them. It seemed as if they could only see their own screens and not each other’s which was never a good thing as it meant these teenagers who at most were acquaintances apart from Noah and Dylan had to simply trust each other to not lie. The real question was if any of them had a reason to lie in the first place.

As Charles had said their tasks, the first-time round would be quite simple. Noah and Wren were in charge of loading shipments onto the boats and Dylan had to help with the harvest. Jill had to plant new seeds and Cassidy was in charge of the rain dance.

As they put their left hands down the screens disappeared and their clothes changed which would only suggest things had begun. Cassidy, Dylan and Jill were wearing overalls and a straw hat which Cassidy was not impressed with and Noah and Wren were wearing boiler suits covered in oil stains.

“This place needs an upgrade on fashion. Could I not have at least had something dark?” Cassidy asked.

“This is a farming community my dear we don’t care about fashion here.” came a woman’s hoarse voice from behind.

“Could you help us find where we’re supposed to go, please?” Jill asked.

“If you are loading the shipments, the docks are straight in that direction. If you get lost just follow the sunflowers. If you’re joining in the harvest the cornfields to the right are where you're needed and if you're planting fresh seeds head to the fields on the left.” The woman explained. 

“What about a rain dance?” Cassidy asked.

“Well, aren’t you the lucky one? Head straight to the town hall in the middle of town but word of advice you can’t afford to mess this up.” She said before waving goodbye and heading to the fields.

“I guess you got the short straw this time Cassidy.” Noah stated.

As they each headed to where they needed to be none of them expected the mountain of work that would face them. Noah and Wren had several boats to load up with food and Dylan had acres of land to help hand pick corn from. Cassidy was given a brief demonstration of the rain dance and instantly started to freak out.

Meanwhile Jill was standing in a line in the fields to plant fresh harvest. One person would make the hole then they would each move up a space to do their jobs. After a hole was made the depth was measured properly for the seed then Jill simply had to drop the seed in the hole before someone else covered it up. She had the easiest job out of anybody. Was this just luck or someone keeping her out of harm’s way as much as possible?

They couldn’t predict how long they had been there. They were given beds to sleep in and food to eat and many days began to pass before the harvest was truly done. All that was left was the rain dance. The only problem was what to do after. Cassidy’s job was all that remained but they had no idea how to move on or even what they might need which could easily leave them stranded there forever. As they opened up their screens and saw their tasks were crossed out, they waited in anticipation for Cassidy to perform the rain dance and see what would happen when they completed their tasks for this strange land. 

The rain dance was far more difficult than anyone could have comprehended and if it weren’t for Cassidy doing gymnastics from a young age and being a cheerleader, she may not have been able to pull it off. There was so much more than just a few kicks and spins. She was thrown into the air by the other dancer’s multiple times and while you could tell she wasn’t as good as everyone else who probably performed the dance on a regular occasion you knew she was giving it everything she had.

As the dancers pulled off their final step the clouds grew dark and rain poured down from the sky without warning soaking everyone. In a few more minutes it was over and the sun returned. The fields were watered and new crops began to grow. 

“As the mayor of this fine town I would like to thank you for all your help. We never turn down a volunteer and I know how difficult it is to help out around here so I would like to present you with this token of appreciation. It’s not much but I have this made for all volunteers.” The mayor said.

“Thank you as well, mayor, for your hospitality and kindness. We will graciously accept this gift.” Jill replied.

“Did he really just give us corn?” Wren asked. “I’ve just spent days around the stuff, it's the last thing I want to see.”

“It’s metal so it’s not that kind of corn. I think it’s like a memento to remember our time here. I think it’s sweet.” Cassidy replied.

As the corn glistened under the bright lights of the sun it began to shine and within moments the group were gone.

Meanwhile Charles was far away watching everything that happened in Cornucopia. There was a solemn look on his face until someone walked in prompting him to smile. It was a little girl maybe around 8 or 9 years old. 

“Is she really going to be ok with them?” the girl asked.

“You know I would never let anything happen to her.” He replied.

“What about the bad man that escaped?” she asked.

“I’ll find him no matter what. Just stay in the castle for now. It’s too dangerous to be outside with him on the loose.” Charles explained.