"This is stupid," the teenager stated, leaning against the wall by the front door. Her arms were tightly crossed over her chest. "Like, first-one-to-go-down-in-a-horror-movie-stupid."
The girl's parents gave her sympathetic smiles as they began to stack their bags and suitcases by the door.
"Oh, honey," Mrs. Hugh began, her elegant middle-aged features wearing a concerned, motherly expression. "Maybe Nori's right. I don't feel comfortable leaving her home like this."
"Meghan," the father began firmly, laying a comforting hand on his wife's arm. "Nori is eighteen. She's smart, knows how to handle guns and knives, and can drive." Wrapping an affectionate arm around his daughter and planting a kiss on her bronze hair, he beamed a confident smile. "She'll be just fine, won't you?"
"Dad," Nori sighed. "Of course I'll be fine, I just still think it's stupid for you guys to leave for a whole week!"
"Max! Maybe we should ask someone to come stay with her?" The mother exclaimed, her anxiety rising again.
"No!" Nori gave her input indignantly. "Stupid idea or not, I don't need a babysitter."
"I agree," Mr. Hugh nodded. "Look, she's got plenty of food, the house is secure, and Old Mister Connelly will look in on her midweek, right? She'll be fine!"
The girl groaned quietly.
"Would it be alright if he didn't come over?" She asked.
"Nori? Why wouldn't you want Mr. Connelly to come check on you?" Her mother inquired.
"He can call, or send me an email or something," she allowed. "He just doesn't have to come into the house..."
"That's very rude of you, Nori. Mr. Connelly is a very nice old man and our only neighbor."
"And if he comes over, he'll just end up telling me one of his extremely creepy stories! That'll be the last thing I need when I'm going to be here alone."
"Then just tell him so," her father instructed her. "He may be a bit eccentric, but he'll understand." He spared a glance down at his wristwatch and stood agape for a moment, "Oh shoot. Honey, we've got to go if we're going to make our flight!" Turning to his daughter once again, he wrapped her in his arms and squeezed her tightly. "I love you, Nori-dory. Be good and stay smart while we're gone, alright?"
"Yes, daddy," she promised, giving her father a dear smile. "Don't worry about me. As long as I keep William by my side you know I'll be safe and sound," she laughed, referring to her pet machete.
Max Hugh smiled in return at his only daughter.
"I know you will be. You're strong."
The moment he stepped away from her, Meghan flew in to smother the girl in affection.
"Oh, Nori, promise that you'll stay safe alright?" The mother demanded. Before the teenager could even answer, she pressed on, "Don't go out after dark, keep your phone on and charged, and don't hesitate to call someone if you need anything, like more food, or medicine, or..."
"I get it mom," the girl laughed. "And I'll make sure that Mr. Connelly lets me out twice a day and puts plenty of food and water in my dishes."
"Oh, you know what I mean!" Mrs. Hugh said, exasperated. Squeezing her daughter again. "Oh! And don't forget to turn off all the lights before you go to bed and to close all the blinds after dark! Not to mention-"
"Meghan..." Her husband called her from the doorway, their bags in his hands.
"Alright, dear! I'm coming! I'm coming!" She began to pull away, then turned back to Nori for one more hug. "Oh, I'm going to miss you!"
Then they hurried out the door. Nori watched them from the window as their car lights turned on and they motored down the dirt road.
With a shuddery sigh, she pulled away from the window. She was now alone. The girl's only companions were now the seemingly limitless expanse of trees surrounding the house and the heavy silence that dared anything to break it.
It was the beginning of a very long, rather terrifying week for the young woman, one which she would not soon forget.