A Collection of Works

A Rumour Started With Death

Holding her bundle close to her, she slowly climbed the steps to the great oaken doors. She stood before them, silent, waiting. Then, as if summoning some inner determination, she put her hand out to grasp the heavy iron ring, and knocked three times.

The violent wind tore through her hair, roughing up the strands she had twisted into a french braid. As the leaves fell from the trees, their bright colours swirling in mini tornadoes, clear chimes rang through the area, an overgrown wind chime being tossed carelessly through the air. There was an old porch swing which creaked as though something was sitting on it.

A thump echoed on the other side of the door and frightened the girl. Dropping her bundle, she ran down the driveway as fast as she could, turning the corner speedily. She kept running as far as possible, until she knew that she was out of sight. She looked back at the old house, sitting enclosed in it's own ring of trees. Lightning flashing through the air told her she needed to get home before the storm got any worse.

The bundle shifted in the wind, beginning to move down the porch. It was stopped suddenly by a scuffed black flat shoe, and a frail sun-browned hand reached down to grab the cloth. Calculating eyes watched the girl walk the rest of the way down the street before slinking back into the house, and a click sounding as the door was shut.

⚭

Maria strolled into the grocery store the next day, her heart calmed from the pounding mess it was last night. She smiled as she passed by her co-workers, heading to the back so she can see which houses are on her address list. Pushing open the heavy white door, she barely dodges a cart that was heading out with fresh fruits.

"Sorry!" a worried male voice rings out. "I didn't see you there."

A messy mop of brown hair comes into view, the hair curling around its owner's face. The green employee's apron was tied over a grey t-shirt and khaki shorts, and sneakers protected his feet.

"It's not a problem," Maria said, her laughter echoing along the hall. "Just give me a warning next time you try to bulldoze me, Luke."

"I'll try," Luke's green eyes hinted in amusement, his mouth already forming to a grin. "See you later!"

Maria walked backwards, bringing two fingers to her temple in a friendly salute as Luke continued out the door and she headed to her station. She looked at the produce and necessities that people had bought. Each order was packed into its own box or bag, just waiting to be delivered. Despite the town being fairly small, only containing about 10,000 people, there were still quite a few people who got their groceries delivered.

The clipboard with the information about the orders held about 10 different houses, about 3 more than the usual amount. Unlocking the door to the loading area, Maria started moving the items into the back of the car.

Stretching out her back, Maria then climbed into the driver's seat. She glanced at the first house on her list, planning the route in her mind before pushing the key into ignition and heading off.

⚭

The last house on the list happened to be the same house Maria went to last night for a late delivery. Although, as she drove up to the gate, it seemed less frightening now. The thundershowers watered everything in the garden, showing off a variety of late bloomers. The chimes jingled softly in the light breeze and the porch swing hardly moved.

As Maria closed the gate behind her, she picked up the box of groceries then headed up the stairs to the door. Her heart beat nervously in her chest, the encounter from last night still engrained in her memory. It didn't help when an unfamiliar scratchy voice spoke from behind her.