Author's Note: I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed the first chapter. I really appreciate it, it keeps me motivated to continue with the story. I'd also like to note that the story takes place a bit after 666 but it has to do mostly with the first movie. The main things taken from 666 are the character Hannah and the idea of Samuel. So, if you haven't seen 666 you should be able to follow the storythough I command that you gorent the movie NOW! It's good, I promise.

Anika awoke with her head pounding. The loose dirt slid through her fingers as she attempted to pull herself off the ground.

Where the hell am I?

She stood in front of the 'WELCOME TO GATLIN' sign. Grudgingly, she took a few steps forward as she brushed the dirt off her clothes.

I'm never going to make it to Hemingford, she thought. I'll spend the rest of my life wandering around this wasteland, traveling from ghost town to ghost town. "Gatlin," she scoffed and kicked the ground, "here I come."

She began walking towards the small town in the distance, trying to pace herself and stop from thinking about the hammer nailing at her head.

God, I wonder what time it is, she thought, Aunt Augustina is probably worried out of her mind since I was supposed to arrive last night. It's all the car's fault, she whined.

Her feet kept carrying her along the path, keeping a steady rhythm as they pounded against the gravel. The faint sound of a car engine reached her ears, she came to a stop. She moved her hand up against her forehead as she squinted her eyes, hoping for a glance of the vehicle. Sure enough, a car approached.

Hopefuly I can hitch a ride to Hemingford, she said as the car came to a halt beside her.

"Is that your car back there?" A girl asked as she placed her sunglasses on top of her head.

"Yeah, it broke down. I was hoping there would be a tow truck service in Gatlin."

The girl was quiet for a second then said in a solemn voice, "I wouldn't go to Gatlin," she paused, "where were you traveling in the first place?"

"Hemingford."

"I live there," the girl said, "I'll drive you there if you want."

"Thank you," Anika said as she opened the car door and sat down.

The girl stepped on the gas and at once they were on their way. She tipped her sunglasses back down over her eyes and asked, "What's your name?"

"Anika."

"I'm Hannah," she said. "If you don't mind me asking, why are you traveling to Hemingford?"

"My Aunt Augustina lives there and I decided to pay her a visit before returning to school. You see, I go to a boarding school in Southern Nebraska so it's not that far out of my way."

"Well, I hope you enjoy staying in Hemingford. It's not very big and it's rare when we get visitors so that's why I was asking. I know your aunt. She performs experiments on the corn, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, she's trying to invent a type of ear that resists insects and disease. It seems pretty crazy to me though."

Hannah laughed. "Well, it would be a useful invention in these parts. Lately more and more of the stalks have been ridden with disease." Anika could clearly see the town up ahead, they were less than five minutes away.

The cornfields really are nice when you're looking at them from an air conditioned car, Anika thought. Hannah pulled the car to a halt as they entered the city. She pointed to a blue house on the left and said, "That's where I live, come and get me if you need anything, okay?"

"Sure. Thank you for everything." Anika stepped out of the car and onto the almost empty street. The blaring rays of the sun made her wish that she was back in the car but instead she began walking towards the center of the town.