One colossal top secret barn mystery.
Ariel watches the forklift lumber along. It wobbles on its wheels underneath its heavy load. The heavy load is two large rolls of carpet. “They look like two giant burritos.” Ariel’s older brother Logan turns to see the spectacle. The two large rolls of carpet do resemble two giant over-sized burritos. Furthermore, one of them has something leaking from its end. Ariel does a double take then tugs on the sleeve of her Grandpa’s shirt. “Do you see that granpa?”
Bill watches the forklift make its way over to the large barn. The forks of the lift are up high and the two rolls of carpet ride precariously on them. Another colossal gush of something comes from the end of one of the rolls. Bill has to admit, rolls of carpet don’t gush their contents on the road. In fact, rolls of carpet don’t usually have, contents. Especially, the kind that look suspiciously like burrito ingredients.
The forklift continues its journey to the barn. Once there, the colossal sized doors slide open to admit the laboring forklift and its load. It’s impossible to make out anything in the barn. The interior is dark and the doors slide shut immediately after the forklift enters. It’s as though there is something top secret inside. Ariel watches the forklift disappear into the barn. It’s like a giant mouth closing on the two burritos, as the doors slide shut.
Colossal Top Secret
Bill turns back to his book and locates his spot once again. He feels curious about the unusual forklift scene, but sets it aside as an anomaly. Ariel and Logan turn back to their playground games and for the next few minutes everything is normal. All top secret colossal barn mysteries set aside. Now the challenge becomes finding better shade in the afternoon heat. However, the earthquake changes all that. Furthermore, it’s also when things get weird.
It is Logan who first notices it. The shaking begins as a low thumping. Then it grows colossal in intensity. A moment later and the ground shakes noticeably beneath their feet. Ariel lets out a small scream of alarm. Bill, now completely distracted from his book, jumps up from the park bench and reaches for the children. Then as suddenly as it began, the earthquake stops. It doesn’t ease off, it stops, all at once. Then the trucks with the barrels show up. Furthermore, the barrels are 50 gallon drums, and they are filled with soda.
Ariel can see the labels on the side of the 50 gallon drums. And they aren’t just 50 gallon drums of soda. They are filled with name brand soda. The kind that Logan and Ariel both enjoy. Furthermore, the truck carrying them went directly to the barn. Then, just a few minutes later, the barn door rolls open and the forklift comes lumbering out of the interior darkness of the barn. That’s when Logan and Ariel begin to suspect that there is a colossal secret; because things are not what they appear to be.
Barn Mystery
“What if there’s a giant in that barn?” Ariel looks at Logan, waiting to see if he has the same suspicion. Logan shrugs his shoulders and looks intently at the barn while answering.
“Those were giant burritos on the forklift. Then the giant got mad ’cause there was no soda. Now the giant has soda.” Ariel smiles, not only are they on the same page, but also they know the same story. As if to prove the point, a low rumbling sound begins in the direction of the barn. Then it gets louder, except this time, it isn’t an earthquake. It is more like a strong breeze, and oddly, it smells like soda pop.
Ariel looks at Logan and he is laughing too. Then Ariel gets an idea. The barn isn’t too far away and their granpa Bill, is back to reading his book. “This is a good time for a scooter ride,” she says as she runs over to the bike rack and grabs her scooter. Catching on to the plan, Logan follows her to the bike rack. Two minutes later and they are racing along the bike path. Straight toward the large barn in the distance.
Colossal Barn Mystery
The barn sits quietly in the middle of a large pasture. In the fields behind the barn, there is ample space for grazing. As for the barn, it is one of those three story monstrosities. The sides rise high into a massive gambrel roof making the overall structure comparable in size to a standard aircraft hangar. Logan and Ariel park their scooters on the side of the barn furthest away from their grandpa Bill. They walk quietly along the side of the massive barn trying to find a view of the inside. A crack in the siding or a gap in the trim. Anything that would let them see if there was indeed a giant in the barn.
“Slow down Logan”, Ariel steps quickly to catch up to her brother. At that moment the ground begins shaking again. Only now it is extremely strong. Logan steadies himself on the wall of the barn and Ariel grabs his arm. They struggle but manage to keep their feet.
Top Secret
“The giant got mad again”, Logan continues walking with Ariel close behind. There must be a window or something on the side of this barn. Then, as they continue down the side of the barn, a small window appears. Seeing the window, Logan decides to approach it cautiously. He slows his steps and watches in surprise as Ariel bumps him over and takes the lead.
Ariel boldly looks in the window and then shrieks as she encounters one enormously colossal eye peering back at her. Then they both scream when a loud and booming voice greets them. “Well hello there, are you my dinner this evening?”
To be continued
Thank you for reading! Like, follow and share The Frog Journal on X @1finja1 – and on The Frog Journal Facebook page click here. Subscribe to the free newsletter to stay up to date on new content and updates.
All original stories. Download in seconds, new titles weekly. The Frog Journal e-book shorts.
