The Cabinet Under the Stairs

A New Friend

Just about everything was within a mile or two of the house, so it was easy to walk pretty much anywhere I needed to go while also getting Jack his daily exercise. I sat at an outside table of a nearby coffee shop looking through my phone searching for answers surrounding the house while Jack laid at my feet. There were a few articles with headlines like Boy, 10, Missing From Home and Boy taken from his living room. The one that said Missing Boy Mysteriously Returns After Two Weeks caught my attention.

As I was about to read through it, my privacy was disturbed by some guy I've never seen before, though, to be fair, I didn't really go many places to begin with.

"Hey," he said, possibly emboldened by his sparkling amber eyes. "I didn't think you ever left your house."

I blinked. "I'm sorry? Do I know you?"

He smiled and I swear I saw his perfect teeth sparkle against his deep skin. "You live in that spook house with your mom, right? I've seen you and your dog walk by a few times."

I pulled my arms to my chest and Jack groaned to his feet. "How do you know where I live?"

He leaned back and reached his hand around to rub the back of his perfectly shaped head with the stupidly perfect fade. "Oh, man. I'm sorry. That's creepy, isn't it? Let me start over. My name is Nes." He pointed to his nametag. "I know your mom."

Of course. She was probably trying to set me up.

"She talks about you a lot. Like a lot. She comes in here a few times a week before heading off to her job. I've seen so many pictures of you. Elise, right?" He held out his hand for a shake.

I loosened my arms from around myself a bit but was still guarded. It was a very believable story. Mom had tried to set me up with cute baristas before. I have to give her credit for her tastes. She's even picked out some very pretty girls before, so I appreciate that she's open to the possibility, even if I didn't quite know myself. It's just so irritating that she would assume that I'm incapable of finding my own friends or dates.

I reluctantly took his hand. "Yes, nice to meet you, I guess."

He smiled again and I wondered who was playing bells. "Mind if I take my break out here with you and dog?"

"Jack." It didn't surprise me that Mom didn't talk about Jack. Sometimes, I thought she hated him, or at the very least, hated how much time I spent with him and not actual people.

"Jack, huh?"

Jack wagged his tail a bit. Nes held out his hand. Jack sniffed it and then Nes' uniform.

"I guess I smell like food. I thought for sure the coffee smell would cover it up."

"Not to Jack," I said. "He's got a very good nose. He always tells me the food is done whenever I'm roasting."

"Oh, you cook?" Nes sat next to me.

"Well, I can't count on Mom to do that. She's too busy working and setting me up with new people."

Nes laughed and pat Jack on the head. "He seems to like me well enough. Must mean I'm not a serial killer."

"He's just a very good boy." I gave the leash a little pressure and he walked back to my side. "He'll put up with you as long as you don't try to hurt me."

He gave a sideways glance as he sat down. "Why would anyone want to hurt you?" His voice was so soft and sultry.

I felt the heat grow behind my face. "You know what I mean."

He nodded. "Of course. So what are you doing out here?"

"Just taking a break. Went on a long walk today." I could feel his eyes scrutinizing me.

"Has anything happened in that house of yours yet?"

My head snapped to face him and I let out an audible gasp.

"I guess I should take that as a yes."

"How do you know? How does everyone know!"

"Hey, calm down."

I stood up and Jack followed suit. "I will not calm down! How does everyone know? Is it written on my face?" A low grumble started in Jack's chest.

Nes' eyes widened, his hands held up in front of him in surrender. "No, it's nothing like that. It's just the rumors."

"What is wrong with my house?"

"Surely you've heard by now. People have gone missing there."

"Yes, one of my neighbors told me."

"Oh," he seemed confused. "Your mom made it seem like none of your neighbors were talking to either of you, that's why she bugged us so often telling us things that were none of our business."

I took in a deep breath and sat back down. "Yes, something strange has been happening. I thought there was someone or something running through the house when I got home today. So, I decided I didn't want to be home alone anymore and came here." I glanced up at him gauging his response.

"So it's true!" He seemed way too excited.

"I guess."

"That's so awesome! I wonder if that place has a ruler like a king and a queen."

"Seriously?"

"An urban legend that turns out to be very much true. That's exciting."

"How does the legend go?"

"Oh, um... something about a creature that emerges every thirty years or so to devour the souls of the innocent." He said it so matter of fact I wasn't sure how to respond. "It's apparently been going on for like a millennium or something. Legend has it that some of those who were taken come back, but they're never quite the same." He made exaggerated twitching motions. "They're all jumpy and twitchy." 

I gulped air. "Do they ever say what happened to them?"

"I mean, I'm sure some of them do. Some legends talk about some strange place like nothing anyone has ever seen, others say it's just like our plane of existence, there's nothing concise."

"I guess that would mean that it's different for everyone."

He tilted his head.

"Well, if the legends are true, then whatever this place is where people get spirited away to is different for everyone who gets taken."

"Your own personal nightmare? Spooky."

"If it sometimes lets people go, then it can't possibly be all that bad."

He looked at me. "There's only one way to find out. Is that something you're willing to do?"

"Yes. Next time that thing is in the house, I'm going to follow it back through the closet."

"That seems dangerous." There was a genuine look of concern on his face. I didn't expect that. "Will you be taking dog?"

I looked at Jack and his tail started to wag. "I know if he's there, then I'll be fine. He's a good boy, but I don't want to put him in any danger." I gave him a long stroke down his back before putting my face on his. My good boy.

"I'm sure he doesn't want you to be in any danger either." He leaned into me, but I leaned away.

"Well," I stood up. "I think I should be going home now."

"Ok." His voice seemed sad. "Take care, then. Tell your mom I said hi."

"Sure." Not likely. She'd gush about me having a new friend, or worse, a new boyfriend.

"Bye, Jack," he called as I walked away.

I gave him another wave.

When we got home, Mom had already come back from work. At least it would feel safe for a while.