We brought Wendy down into the kitchen," So did you see anything?" She looked up at us, scared.
" Well... there was something..." Her voice was low and shaky.
" What, what was it?" Me and Matt leaned in tentevily.
" It was like... Blue eyes... inside it, just watching me. I went over to take a closer look... then it just started slamming." We heard the soft crunch of gravel and looked out the front door.
" K nothing happened. Moms home." I looked at Wendy who was still crying.
" Matt what do we tell your mom about her?" He looked at her as well.
" She fell down the stairs?" He shrugged his shoulders." I dont know."
" Well we have no time to think of a better excuse, that will have to do." The screen door slammed shut and me and Matt turned to face Sara. She looked between us, then her eyes landed on Wendy.
" What happened to her?" She dropped the bags in her hands and quickly went over to Wendy.
" I fell down the stairs."
" Did you hurt yourself?" She began to check her over.
" Surprisingly no. I just have a sore back thats all." Sara began to lightly poke around on her back. Wendy let out a slight gasp, pretending to be in pain.
" Mabye you should have it checked out."
" No im fine, really. I need to go finish up stairs." She stood from the chair and exited the kitchen.
" I dont really think she should be doing anything with a sore back." Sara looked at both of us." Why dont you two go somewhere for a bit."
" But dont you need help?"
" Well Wendy is insisting on finishing, plus I need someone to watch Matt."
" Well I can help you and Wendy can watch Matt, I mean she is hurt and probably cant do that much." She looked thoughtful for a minute.
" You do have a good point. Wendy! Cheyennes going to help me, you can watch Matt." She emerged from the stair case a few seconds later and walked in.
Me and Sara had gotten a whoe lot done. I looked at the clock and saw that Mary and Billy were getting out of school soon." Sara, I promised Mary and Billy I would pick them up."
" Alright, go ahead and get them." I went downstairs and grabbed her keys off the kitchen counter. I had about 3 minutes to get there. I jumped off the porch, a slight breeze was in the air. I climbed into the car and drove off. I turned down the road the school was on and glanced to my right. I felt the bile rise in my throat as I passed the rotting corpse of the squirrel I hit this morning. I pulled into the school parking lot and looked at the clock. Just one more minute. I rolled down the windows and watched the front door, biting slightly on my finger. The bell rang and a few minutes later swarms of kids came running out. I watched for Billy and Mary. My eyes scanned through them all, when I spotted them they were looking in the other direction. I got out of the car and walked over behind them.
" Hey you kids what are you doing?" I tried to sound like an old man. They turned around with confused expressions, but when they saw me they smiled.
" Dont do that you scared me." Mary placed her hand over her heart then gave me a hug.
" Alright lets get you home. How was your first day?" We all got into the car.
" Well I made a new friend, her name is Betsy."
" Well thats great. How about you Billy-bang?" he just shrugged.
" It was alright."
" Did you do anything?"
" I made this really awesome picture during art."
" Really can I see it?" I looked in the rearview mirror and saw him open up his backpack. He pulled out a piece of paper and held it out to me. I reached my hand back and took it, quickly taking glances at it as I drove. I pulled into the driveway and sat staring at it.
" Billy this is a great picture." For an 11 year old he had such great artistic skills.
" Do you really like it?" He looked at me hopeful.
" Yes this is awesome." I held it back out to him.
" No I want you to keep it." He smiled at me.
" Alright ill put it on the wall down in my room. Are you sure you dont want it?"
" Nope its for you." We all got out of the car and raced up the steps to the house. Everyone was gathered in the kitchen, Sara at the stove starting to make supper, Matt and Wendy sitting at the table. Billy and Mary ran over to them giving them both a hug. I walked over and sat in front of them, placing the picture on te table.
" Look what Billy drew." I pushed it in front of Matt and Wendy. They looked at it with smiles. It was a river side with lots of trees and blooming flowers.
" Wow Billy, your really getting good." Wendy ruffled his hair.
" Hi-five me boy." Billy smacked Matts open palm." Ya thats right. You should be an artist." Mary came over and grabbed my hand.
" Come play with me, please?" I stood from my seat and we went up to her room.
My legs were numb from sitting on them and I Iooked out the window, the sun was starting to set." Mary, Cheyenne, suppers ready." I dropped the barbie doll and stood up, streching out.
" Come on Mary, im sure Stacy and Cleo can wait a while." We made our way down the stairs. Everyone was starting to come in. A loud crash sounded through the room and I looked over at Matt. He was knelt on the floor. I quickly went over to see what happened. Most of our plates were in sharp, jagged pieces on the floor.
" Matt are you alright?" I got on both of my knees and looked him over. Sara came over.
" What happened?"
" I place the plates to close to the edge and they dropped." Sara grabbed a few more.
" Be more careful next time." I looked into Matts eyes and knew it wasnt true. I helped him up and sat him at the table. I grabbed a broom and sweeped up the mess. Sara served the meal and we started to eat. I kept glancing over at Matt, looking im over. A small red dot on his hand caught my interest. I watched as it grew bigger and bigger. I stared at it, wondering what it was. I dropped my fork and quickly grabbed his hand. I stuck my finger in it and heard Matt gasp.
" Matt your bleeding."
" Ow that hurt." His face started to get pale.
" Matt are you alright? you dont look so good." I placed my hand on his head. He was burning up." Sara get him to the hospital." She looked at me concerned.
Matt stood up quickly and nearly fell over. I grabbed him and steadied him. His breathing was coming in gasps. Sara and Wendy stood up, taking him from me." Cheyenne, stay here with Billy and Mary. Me and Wendy will take him." I watched as they all disappeared outside.
" Were done." I looked back at them and saw their plates empty.
" Alright why dont you two go and get ready for bed." They pushed their chairs in and ran up to their rooms. I took my plate and emptied it into the garbage. I cleared the table and was starting to put the sdishes in the sink. Suddenly the lights started to flicker, everywhere. I glanced up at them, watching them until finally I was plunged into darkness. I wasnt all that worried, until I heard Mary start screaming.