Who's There?

On a night like any other, Mom and I sat on our dingy, paisley couch covered with a mustard-yellow blanket and watched tv. The big window behind us was propped open wide, allowing the cool breeze to graze our necks. Cuddling was something I liked to do with my mom often, and I don’t believe she minded either. I snuggled into her arms, wrapping myself around her like a leech.

Crickets chirped, singing their evening tune, a song never changing no matter where I’ve lived, then something else chirped, too. A pager.

Behind us.

Outside.

Mom startled. “Did you hear that?” she asked, hands shaking.

My heart raced. Blood thrummed in my temples. “Yes.”

Turning around, we saw nothing but darkness. Footsteps pounded the earth as whoever was looking in on us ran away.

Tears streamed down my face. I was already afraid of living in the middle of nowhere, and this just added to the mounting torment Lone Oak, Texas offered me.

Dad wasn’t home and neither was Kris, but the spy didn’t come back. Mom and I locked ourselves in tight, slept together for the evening, and wondered just who was out there.

But we never found out.

Happy Halloween everyone. Hope you enjoyed my very true but short story today. The pumpkins below were carved yesterday by my family. :-)