Too Short For Words

Just A Peek

"Go on Wendy," the boy said, crouching behind her. It was dark out, the streets blank save for the lamp lights every two hundred or so metres. There it was, just opposite them - the abandoned home of Mrs. Bartley. It had been eight years since she disappeared, seven until everyone stopped caring. When a new neighbour moved in, he survived three months; when the full moon rolled in, he packed his bags and left. No one knew why - but since then the house has been left to ruin. The girl looked back toward Timmy, a frown on her face.

"At least give me some time to compose myself - we just got here," she replied. Under her breath, she muttered curses of all sorts. She wasn't feeling right.
But yet again, Timmy tapped his shoes onto the cobblestone road. "Wendy, if we turn back now, I'm telling the class you bailed it tonight."

Wendy turned to him in shock. "Timothy! Just..give me a moment okay?" She breathed in, slowly exhaled, and took a step forward. Before they knew it, they had silently passed through the old rusted fence door, and onto the houses front steps. An air of dilapidation filled her nostrils, the smell of paint peeling and wood rotting. Reaching toward the door handle, she pulled it slowly, giving off a loud creak - a warning almost. Timmy stayed close behind, silent yet shaking. Coward, she thought. Whatever, it's just for a moment. She released the latch, revealing a dark corridor - it was something that seemed scary but exciting, the hidden things that lay beyond her eyes. Pulling out a small flashlight, she shined the light toward the abyss, but nothing appeared. Pressing on, she creeped into what looked like a dining room - greeted by silence. The floorboards creaked beneath her feet, as she carefully made her way across. It seemed as if the furniture would jump out at her - despite how ridiculous it sounded in her thoughts. Damn it Timmy, she cursed. Where is he?

"Timmy?"

Her words lingered in the air, and a bead of sweat raced down her jawline. It was horribly quiet, too still. Oh God.

"Timmy, are you there?" she called out again.

No reply.

Shit.

She flashed her light toward the front door, and the wind still came in. Wendy held herself still, waiting for a sign.

The scream came out so suddenly, piercing the night's silence; Wendy dropped her light in response, then the blood rushed to head. She made for door, running as fast as she could.

Slam!

It swung shut upon her, and she fell backward. Wendy put a hand up to her nose, and felt blood. She thought it was her, but then it fell upon her cheek. She dared to look up.

It was Timmy, suspended in mid-air, blood dropping from his gaping mouth, a sharp spear protruding from his stomach. His face was frozen in horror.

Even if she tried, her legs were locked in place. Slowly, she turned to face the dark shadow advancing towards her.

Just a peek, that was all she wanted.

Just a peek.