The next morning I wake early no dog in sight and doesn't even come out to see me off. Which was ok for Arlene as she and Sheena got in a good sleep. The quiet of the area and Arlene's past few months collided sending her comatose, sleeping past noon.

After letting Sheena out she decided to take some more time to relax with a pot of coffee and the TV. With afternoon choices being the same dull thing she watched an old soap.

Becoming restless and feeling good about her self so far decides to take a couple pills from the remaining stash.

Bored of television and a nice day she heads outside to inspect the property. Starting with her favorite tree, the big old willow. The tree's canopy so large provides great shade. The ground underneath almost dangerous to walk across, with all the long thin branches and leaves scattered about.

Noticing the neighbors house realizes she's being watched and gets startled. Two pairs of eyes stare out their big side window, sill level. Seeing they are the eyes of the neighbors young ones Arlene smiles and waves to them. They don't wave back making her feel a bit insecure.

Looking out back she can't help but notice the large pile of debris, sitting on an old concrete floor from a long gone structure. Almost center an old pick-up truck bed filled with ashes from garbage fires. On either side all the dental equipment hauled back to eventually be broken down for scrap. Lights and stools are the only things she can identify. Seeing a fairly complete dental chair wonders if it can actually work.

Done doing her thing Sheena joins Arlene, curious to where she might go. Still feeling watched Arlene pretends to sneak behind the small tin silo. On the other side notices the oval door to the silo and has to have a peek in. Dust, cobwebs and debris, nothing of real interest but does have to step all the way in first. Almost wanting to go in too Sheena hesitated too long and got left out. Illuminated from gaps in the top hatch she circles the small space. Worried about being locked in she doesn't stay long.

Opening the door Arlene finds Sheena cutely sitting at attention, tail wagging away. "Oh still here? Why don't you show me what's in the barn over there?' Almost understanding Sheena seems to lead the way.

Unsure if she wants to slide the big doors open decides to open the door beside. Looking in the fairly open space sees dirt floors with concrete blocks and odd bits of old lumber strewn about. Other than the disturbing amount of cobwebs in the rafters nothing interesting. Realizing the unwanted furniture is separate from this space closes the door.

Walking around the corner to the other door Sheena happily follows. Stepping in Arlene waits for Sheena, as something about this side doesn't sit right with her. Sniffing the air Sheena enters and begins her own inspection.

Only the items recently brought in seem of any value. Walking to the back takes note of the other filth, laden fixtures. A long, work, bench rests against the outside wall. The top has the occasional piece of hardware. The dust and animal droppings suggest it hasn't been worked on in years. Reaching the back turns to see her shoe prints along with two other different shoes, both mine.

Catching Arlene's attention more Sheena's tail drops and is oddly sniffing the air. Looking up only sees dirty cobwebby roof joists.

Very softly a feminine voice speaks, "be true."

Goosebumps race across Arlene's body as her heart skips a beat before picking up rhythm. Hoping it's just the neighbor coming over to introduce herself walks towards the door. "Hello?" Getting no reply asks Sheena, "you heard that too right?"

Opening the door and looking towards the shack she calls out once more, "hello."

"I'm watching you," the disembodied voice whispers from behind.

That's it Arlene gasps, "holy! Fuckin'! Shit!" then jumps out the door and building leaving Sheena behind. "Holy fuckin shit!" Clutching her heart with the right hand shakily stretches out the left to open the door for Sheena. "What the fuck?"

Arlene opens the door while looking about. "C'mon Sheena get out of there... Well how about then? Wasn't that a good time to bark? Or something. Or do you only bark if you think you're in trouble?"

Looking about the space she sees nothing to be scared of. The gaps in the wall-boards allow her to see through to the other sections of barn, but nothing is seen there either.

Freaked out she closes the door carefully and ensures it stays shut. "How about we don't go in there again."

Stepping back from the barn she keeps nervously looking over her shoulder. "Sheena please tell me you can talk and that was just you." All she gets form the dog is a happy to be included look.

Walking by the eight-seven Chevy short-box rusting away notices how the underside has a dug out patch. Figuring that must be Sheena's favorite spot sees nearby a large meat bone. "You know what I'm going to see If you do bark or not."

Quickly darting to get the dog playful, Arlene snatches up the bone. Twisting around displays the bone tauntingly, "Sheena - I got your bone and I'm gonna eat it."

The darting action already has Sheena bopping around Arlene, letting out playful growls with her tail wagging so hard it sends the occasional long twig flying.

Wanting a bark though Arlene hops on the back of the downed tailgate hiding the bone tight and making eating noises. "Mmm good bone. My bone."

Sheena makes two quick tight circles then places her front paws up on the tailgate her head stretches forward emitting a yowl. My absolute favorite of her sounds a soft growling howl finished with a little 'woo - ooo'. It wasn't what Arlene wanted but that sound went straight to her heart. For that moment couldn't tease Sheena anymore and gave her the bone.

Arlene got down to pet Sheena, but it was now keep away time. Sheena cutely pranced about now trying to taunt Arlene with the bone.

Thinking she just got played by the dog growls. "Hey! You give me that bone back!" As soon as she moves towards Sheena, the dog dashes under the truck. Tail kicking up the dust wagging away. Disappointed for not getting a bark and a little cheesed being out smarted she can only laugh in the moment.

The barn in sight she feels watched but hears giggling children behind. Worried about what might be there glances back also concerned of seeing nothing. A sigh of relief, catching sight of the two neighbor kids watching from the back end of the fence. The little girl almost two years older then her toddling brother; both children blue eyed, blonde haired and dressed in light colors.

They dart away as Arlene was about to wave. She hopes they were the voice heard outside the building, messing around. Still freaked out some, Arlene isn't seeing them so cute anymore, more like 'children of the corn'. Wondering where their mother is, Arlene steps back to better view the property.

Coming out the back door of the small house their mother, with laundry basket in hand. Though there is some distance between them Arlene was expecting to see a woman similar to those in town. Not at all in fact reminding her of a twenty-year-old Penelope Cruz. With such dark hair and toned skin Arlene can't believe the children are hers'. Hearing the kids call mama, mama and rush to get in the way, say it is.

Unsure if she wants to meet this woman, right now, Arlene moves out of sight and back to Sheena for a few minutes. Just in time to see the mail get delivered, by someone driving their own, four door K-car.

Wondering what that was about Arlene walks to the road watching the car. As it stops at other mailboxes, figures check and see what we got. A little white postal truck was in her mind for making deliveries. Leaving the bone behind Sheena follows Arlene to the mailbox.

Inside the box only a Hydro bill and siding flyer to bring in. Inspecting the ditch while there can't believe how deep it is. Just standing at the top she feels unsafe, a fall would certainly hurt or break something.

Across the ditch, the old water filled quarry perks interest. On the water float a little flock of small black and white ducks. Scanning slowly back and forth she doesn't see an easy way to cross. No way is she going down in that ditch to try and climb out. One of the furthest points of the quarry has an entrance she can barely make out.

Walking to the corner for a better look wonders if Sheena should be following loose. With so few cars and a stop right there at the corner, figures the dog should be okay.

Making their way Sheena keeps within a few feet sniffing things as they go. With all the laundry out at the neighbors Arlene can't help but look over. Still pinning up clothes the young mother seems to have at least noticed Arlene. Looking for the kids Arlene spots them on the opposite front corner of their house. As soon as they are seen the sister runs giggling for her mother. The brother giggles trying to stay upright keeping up with big sister.

At the corner Arlene scans down the ditch to a drainage pipe crossing. Feeling in danger, the ducks take flight towards the marsh. With little else to do she keeps going.

Reaching the gated entrance, anyone can easily get by on foot, Arlene enters. Being the dog she is, tries to stay ahead of Arlene in there. Sheena bounds towards the water Arlene cringes waiting for a big splash. Not to happen Sheena stops to smell at the waters edge. A relief not having to deal with a smelly wet dog.

The quarry depth cannot be seen being too murky. When standing there it doesn't seem very wide and doesn't take long to walk around. The oddest thing Arlene noticed getting half way around was a thick rusty cable that seems to go in one corner of the quarry pit down to the bottom and out the other side. Being calm there and starting to see a variety of birds decides to have a seat on the dirt mound for a while.