Pyrophobia

Arsonphobia -12-

Chapter Twelve

I have slipped on the walkway a couple times now, and I was beginning to get very frustrated. I regained my balance and kept walking. I had already passed the school a couple minutes ago, and I knew I was getting close to the correct house.

My mittens were a bright red color, probably the same color as my nose. I had on a black hat and a red scarf to match my mittens. My thick black coat wasn’t doing much to help keep my body heat. If anything it was just keeping me dry, which I guess should count for something.

My snow boots were soaking wet from melted snow, and my socks felt as though they were frozen. How is that possible, don’t even ask me.

I looked at the passing houses and read the address numbers by the front door. I could hear loud laughter coming from in front of me, not too far ahead, but I was too busy paying attention to the number. 11345, 11345, 11345, come on where are you? I asked myself, looking for the right one.

“Melinda?” I heard a familiar voice. I did two things wrong right here. The first one; I looked up at the person who called my name, not paying attention to anything else. All of the sudden, I heard the sound of someone falling… well, okay, it was me. I landed on the snowy sidewalk with a loud thud and I groaned instantly, feeling the palms of my hands scrapping against the hard and scratchy cement underneath me.

The second thing I did; “I think I broke my butt…” I groaned, wiping my hands on my thick black coat as I felt someone lifting me up.

“You did what?” I stopped instantly, not even breathing; I turned around and faced Bentley. Courtney was behind me, laughing so hard she was clutching her stomach and crying.

“Oh my gosh…” I whined. Bentley was smiling at me, even showing his teeth.

“What did I miss?” Trevor asked, running up to us from where he had been making a snow-angle. “Melinda broke her butt!” Courtney yelled out, laughing even harder as Trevor joined in.

“I’m going.” I complained, embarrassed. “Oh come on, what are you even doing on this side of the town?” Trevor asked, sliding his hands into his pockets.

“Babysitting.” Was my short reply; I knew I was already in a bad mood, and if I were to talk I wouldn’t want to come off as mean.

“I didn’t know you babysat?” Courtney asked, leaning into Trevor for his warmth probably.

“Mr. Hunt’s kid.” Understanding crossed her face as she mouthed a slight ‘oh’. I finally realized that Bentley still had his hand on my lower back for support. I stood up straighter and looked around. They had at least three snowmen standing, all holding hands.

“Nice.” I commented. Courtney smiled at me, “Did you make any?” I shook my head no and she gasped. “And why not?” she asked annoyed. I shrugged my shoulders, and looked at the houses next to hers. Mr. Hunt has to be here somewhere…

“His house is the green one, right next door…” Bentley whispered into my ear as he then went to stand with his siblings. I nodded my head and smiled at him.

“I should go, have fun.” I said, waving at them, and walking over to the house. They had colorful Christmas lights and giant fake candy canes lining up the driveway, his wife must have done these.

I knocked on the door once, twice, and thrice before they opened it up. Rosie was smiling at me politely before opening the door for me more and letting me in. she helped me take off my thick and heavy coat, hanging it up for me.

“Thank you so much for doing this, it’s only two nights, and if you need anything just give us a call.” She didn’t stop talking as we neared their kitchen. “This is a list of numbers you can call; we put down the doctors number, the hotel number, both our cell phones, and if for some reason you can’t get a hold of us, this is my mother’s number.” I smiled at her to show her I understood what she had said.