Pentin's Game

Mayble

It was after school. I was walking home slowly... We got our report cards today. My first year of middle school and I am failing a class. I walk slower with each step trying to delay the inevitable. My house comes into view, but I stopped to stare at the ground. I am about to take another dreadful step forward but then I hear it. A low laughter comes from the woods. My house is surrounded by trees; millions of them. It's probably just my imagination, but isn't that what everyone thinks when this kind of thing happens? I calm my nerves and step forward. Nothing seems to happen and I continue walking. I look down at my shoes my moms going to be so disappointed in me! I have never failed before. I can feel someone's body heat. Someone is close enough for me to deal their warmth. I whip my head up and run a few steps. Nothing's there. "Hello?" I ask my voice almost at a whisker.
There's no response. I roll my eyes at my foolish behavior. "Get a grip! No one is here." I tell myself.
I take three more steps. Before I hear a low whisper. "I like your laces" someone said.
It's not in my head anymore. I can't deny what I just heard anymore. Still nothing is to be seen but the trees; some growing strong some sheepish, and my house. I look down at my plain white shoe laces. Nothing out of the ordinary about them, but yet they are the interest of someone. Or something, and I shudder. I start sprinting toward my house.
I am less than a quarter mile away getting closer with every second. I honestly don't think I've run this fast in my entire life. I look down again, and my laces are untied. I trip and fall house still in sight. I can make it. I look around thinking, praying that nothing is in view but my house and trees. I'm wrong a figure appears fading in and out of reality. Each time the figure comes into view he is closer. I get up to run and the figure is in front of me. "I like your laces." The figure laughed wildly, and I began to drift in and out of reality with him until I am sleeping.