To Be Honest

Short Story #4

Caroline creeped into the old building. It was raining buckets outside and she didn't want to get.

"What was I thinking?" She said aloud.

Caroline was running. Running from her mother, her father, her friends, everybody. She had nobody left. When her mother was drunk she'd beat Caroline senseslessly and when she 'd sober up it wasnt that much better. Nancy, her mother, starved her and left her in her room until time for school. As for her father, he'd steal her stuff then sell it to keep his drug habit going. A mess. Her "friends" couldnt't keep up with the drama and left her. Just like that.

Caroline didnt know what to do so here she is. In an old abandoned building. She hit a switch and the lights turned on to reveal a shack filled with cobwebs. This isn't your ordinary scary story house. It's house just like the one you're in now, just... dirtier. Caroline dusted off a chair and sat down. The floor creaked as she did so.

"What am I going to do?" she said. "I can't run forever."

"You can stay here with me." an old lady said.

Caroline jumped up and immediately turned around to see an old pale lady creeping from the dark hallway.

"Who - who are you?" Caroline said shaking.

"Well I'm Mrs. Huffington, and you can stay here if you like. I'd take care of you. You look like you need it darling."

"Don't you think this is a little odd? I don't even know you and you're offering to take care of me?"

Mrs. Huffington chuckled. "Well you did come into my house without my permission Miss... what is your name?"

"It's Caroline and I guess I can use a place until the rain stops."

"The rain never stops around here..." mumbled Mrs. Huffington

"What was that?"

"You're room is upstairs, follow me dear."

Caroline grabbed her bag and followed the lady up the stairs. Just like the living room, the stairs were filled with spider webs. She finally was led to the room and surprisingly the room was clean and the bed was made as if the lady knew she was coming. She sat on the bed with an unsteady feeling in her stomach.

"Miss Caroline would you like some tea?"

"No thank you I'd just like to sleep."

"But the tea will help you sleep better sweatheart."

"Really, I'm fine. Thank You"

"Drink the tea. Now. Um I mean I made it just for you and you're breaking my heart and -"

"OKAY. Fine I'll drink it. Thank you. Goodnight."

Caroline sipped a long sip from the tea. Her head started to feel funny.

"What's going on?" She thought.

The pressure in her head became unbearable and she laid down. She was tired anyway but this was unsual. Eventually she drifted off into a deep sleep.

Three days later, Caroline woke up to find herself in a dark, cold room with a lonely mattress in the floor.

"Hello? Is there anybody here?" She yelled.

The only thing she heard was the pitter patter of the rain above. She must be in a basement. Soon she could hear the footsteps of Mrs. Huffington.

"Mrs. Huffington? Hello? Can you help me? I think I'm stuck"

Caroline got no response. She was wishing she was back home with her drunken mother and no good father.

A door opened and in walked Mrs. Huffington.

"Hello dear. Are you finding everything alright?"

"No. I think I need to go home now."

Caroline couldn't see the lady but she saw the shadow of her with a big bag.

"Oh, Caroline sweety, it's still raining. You can't leave just yet."

"No, it's okay. I'm going to leave now."

Caroline got up and started for the door. Mrs. Huffington walked in front and pushed her down.

"What are you doing Mrs Huffington? I thought you were going to help me?"

"Didn't anybody ever tell you not to talk to strangers?"