short stories

Halloween story

Katie came in the door hauling a cardboard box. Inside the box were stacked a couple of hats, several faux fur coats in vibrant colors and few dozen scarves and gloves.

- Seriously Katie?! - grumbled her mum when she saw the box. - where are you going to put all that? You're already using up the hallway closet for the stuff that doesn't fit in your bedroom closet.

- Mum, I couldn't pass this opportunity! Mrs Ochmonek was selling all of her stuff from her disco days. - Katie answered as she mimicked some disco dance moves.

- Just make sure you have all that stuff dry cleaned. Some of it looks like it's been to hell and back!

- Will do!!!- Katie replied triumphantly has she dragged the box up the stairs.

Next morning Katie came down for breakfast even later than usual.

- You're going to be late for school again Katie! - admonished her mum.

- I hardly had any sleep!- Katie moaned- Sammy growled all night long at the stupid yard sale box.

- It probably smells of Mrs Ochmonek's cats. - stated her mum as she stuck out her tongue in disgust.

After arriving home Katie ran up to her room to take care of her dry cleaning errand. As she approached the door she could hear Sammy inside but he wasn't growling anymore, he was yelping and she could also hear whispers. Her brother was probably up to no good and she was ready to tell him off.When she stormed into the room all she found was Sammy curled up in the corner, a small puddle next to him.

- What's wrong boy? You never pee in the house! It's ok, come here! Good boy Sammy.

She petted a trembling Sammy and took him to the backyard where he seemed to be back to his old self.After she took care of the mess in her room she took the box to the dry cleaners.

- It will be ready in 3 days. - the lady muttered as she dragged the box to the back of the store.

That night Katie had to study for a chemistry test so she stocked up on coffee and buried her head in the books. She fell asleep sitting at her desk. Next thing she knew she was back at the dry cleaners. The store was very quiet and only a faulty blinking light broke the darkness.She walked to the back of the store, not really knowing why, but she still did it. She found the owners sleeping there, immigrants that didn't make enough money to rent a place for themselves.She started looking around and a big pair of scissors caught her eye. In a matter of seconds she was on top of the man stabbing him over and over and over again. When his wife woke up she opened her mouth wide but never got a chance to scream. Katie drove the scissors right in her throat. As she did she felt the spray of warm blood on her face. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.She woke up before her alarm clock, she had slept fully dressed, didn't really remember going from her desk to her bed and she had a splitting headache.

- Good morning sunshine! - her brother said mockingly.

- I know, I look like crap. - Katie replied- it's just what happens when you fall asleep on your school books and have really really weird dreams.

A couple of days later Katie drove to the dry cleaners. It was time to pick up her stuff and just in time for spring break.When she got there the police was outside.

- I'm sorry but you can't go inside- a bored policeman informed her as he stroke his thick mustache.

- It's quick, I'm here just to pick up my things.- Katie replied as she reached for the door.

- No one is allowed in, crime scene.

- Crime scene? Was there a robbery or something?

- Or something,- the other policeman said- the owners were found dead inside. Quite a gruesome scene.

Shivers ran up and down Katie's spine and her knees fell weak. Her weird dream, was it possible? Was she dreaming about the future? She felt sick as she started going back to her car. As she rummaged through her bag looking for her car keys she caught a glimpse of a side window through which she could see the inside of the dry cleaners store. The two cops were still guarding the door and seemed totally unaware of that open window.

- I guess just a quick peak won't hurt.

She walked stealthily to the alley making sure the police officers didn't see her as she pried the window open. 

She managed to get her head and then her arms through and as she looked around she spotted her things.She had to push herself a bit more through the window and stretch her arm until it hurt but she was able to grab the bag that was hanging along with many others.She pulled hard a couple of times and when she finally got it out she accidentally knocked down the whole clothes stand. As the whole thing went down she saw the dead bodies of the store owners.The woman was laying on her back, arms and legs bent in an odd way and scissors through her throat.Katie quickly got out and ran back to her car, the big mustached policeman yelling after her. As she speedily drove away she couldn't erase the image of the woman of her mind.What was going on? Was she in fact dreaming of the future or had she some how been a witness to the murders? She remembered the feeling of the warm blood spraying her face. Could she have done it??