creepshow (wattys2018)

The Babysitter

"I cannot believe it!" Emma Taylor's best friend, Hanna, exclaimed over the video chat they were currently having. "So, she really just left you a note saying help yourself to whatever?"

"Yep." Emma replied, smirking at her friend. "Mrs. Xavier is super chill. Seriously, the only thing she freaks out about is her kid."

"Well he is her one and only." Hanna laughed, giving Emma her best 'duh' expression. "Plus she's single, and I've always heard that single moms are, like, uber protective with their children."

"I have too, but it's only about little things, like, don't let him stay up past seven thirty, and don't get to close to him, weird stuff." Emma chewed on her nail as she glanced towards the grand, marble staircase. "I should really go check on him."

"Don't get to close to him? How weird is that! What, does he have a biting problem?" Hanna joked.

"Of course not! Apparently he has, like, a really big personal space issue."

"What'd you say his name was again?" Hanna asked, leaning away from the computer screen momentarily to swat at her cat who was biting the bottom of her pants leg.

"Ryder."

"Yes?" A voice sounded behind her. Emma and Hanna both gasped at the same time, Emma spinning around in the process.

Behind her stood the small boy in his blue button up pajama shirt and matching pants. His skin was so pale it was as if he had never even seen the light of day, and as the moon light pouring in from the nearby window kissed his skin it seemed to glow.

His disheveled platinum, blonde hair stuck out in all directions, leaving his eyes open to be seen. The oddly shaded grey orbs stared at her so intently that she couldn't help but shiver.

"Ryder." Emma placed a hand on her racing heart and leaned back against the table. "You scared me to death."

"Your heart is beating very fast." He stated in his monotonous voice.

"Yes, well, you startled me. I didn't even hear you coming down. Are you okay? Why are you down here?" She peered closely at the young boy.

"I heard my name." He replied nonchalantly.

Emma looked concussed for a few moments before she rose to her feet, placing her hand on the boys shoulder. She jerked it back almost instantaneously as the bitter cold shocked her. The rain outside had grown considerably louder and she jumped nearly ten feet out of her shoes as a crack of thunder sounded like a whip.

"I love the rain." Ryder's tight lipped expression faltered for a moment as he said those four words. "Could I sit up and watch it for a bit? Just for a moment, please? I would love to see the lightening."

Emma glanced back at the computer screen and frown as she saw it was now black. "Um- no. I don't think that would be a good idea, Ryder. Come on. Let's get you back to bed."

The boy nodded obediently and led the way to his bedroom in silence. Once there, he climbed straight into bed and closed his eyes. "Emma." He called just as her hand touched the door knob.

She turned around quickly and noticed that he had yet to open his eyes. "Yes, Ryder?"

"You're my favorite babysitter. I wish we could keep you forever."

Emma smiled a bit. "Well thank you. That was such a nice thing to say. Maybe you can keep me forever." She joked in return.

"No, I can't. I can't ever keep them. Mamma says they all have to go once they've gotten too close." With that, the boy rolled onto his side, facing the wall, and tugged the covers up higher.