Claws in the Dark | ✔

XX

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Rebecca and George were still cooped up in a corner of the kitchen. The Clawden laid on the floor across from them, dried blood surrounding its hairy body. They were both too numb to move to any other rooms in the house. They had no idea where their parents were. They'd been gone for hours and were beginning to wonder if something terrible could have happened to them.

George exhaled a shaky breath. "Why aren't Mommy and Daddy back as yet?" he asked, his face despondent.

"I don't know, George," Rebecca replied, "but I'm sure they're okay. Dad's a detective, remember? So, he'll do whatever he can to protect Mom, and they'll come back to get us." She gave him a reassuring smile for his own sake.

The little boy rested his head against her chest and sniffled, and she patted his head.

"But what if they don't come back?" his voice was muffled. "What would we do?"

Rebecca didn't answer. Instead, she looked thoughtful. What would they do if their parents didn't return home? They'd be stranded, alone with each other, until one or more of the Clawdens breach the house and rip them to shreds.

But earlier they'd worked as a team. Maybe if they did that again, they'd be able to ward off the beasts until their parents came back. Or they could even go out and find them.

Rebecca looked down at her brother, who's breathing had become rhythmic. He'd fallen asleep and his tears stained the jersey she wore. She didn't mind though, just as long as he was safe. She leaned her head back against the wall let out a soft sigh, and then soon fell asleep.

George tapped his sister's shoulder, and Rebecca opened her eyes and stared at him for a few seconds.

"What is it? Did another one get in?" she asked, scrambling to her feet and darting her eyes around the room. She held her head when she realized they weren't in direct danger. "How long was I asleep for?"

"I don't know, but your snoring woke me, sis," George answered, and Rebecca rolled her eyes. "I heard a noise coming from over there just now," he told her and pointed to the back door.

She watched it for a while and then there was a rattling noise. She paled at the sound and pulled George behind her.

"Do you think it's another one?" he asked.

"It could be. Stay here, I'll check it out." She slowly walked over to the door and peered through the small glass window.

"See anything?" George asked from beside her.

Rebecca yelped but clapped her hand over her mouth to conceal the sound that escaped. She brought her hand down from her mouth and squinted at her brother. "I thought I told you to wait over there."