Nightmares

5

A string. He had to be pulling a string.

No string, you say?

A draft.

I could sit here and give you excuses and explanations for what the stomping might be all day, but that doesn't mean I wasn't about ready to pass out from fright. The stomping was more furious now. Maybe it was knocking, I don't know. All I do know is that it would get closer to the door, then farther away. Closer, then farther. Almost as if someone was running up and down the steps...

The stomping was reaching the top of the steps again when I tried to speak. "B-Blaze?" I could feel the tears stinging my eyes from fright. I tried to move, run to the front door, something! The worst part is, I had no idea where poor Graham was. Hadn't he been by my side just five minutes ago?

"Yeah?" I jumped at least seven feet in the air at the deep voice. I spun around to see a very sexy Blake with wet hair sticking to his forehead. He was now sporting a plain black t-shirt and dark-washed jeans. I was so happy I wasn't alone anymore that I jumped onto him. No really, I sprang through the air, and latched onto his neck. I was shaking like a leaf, and didn't know how to stop. "Woah, Tucker. What's going on?

"Where's Graham?!" I asked frantically instead of answering him.

He gave me an unamused stare. "You're shaking like a woman with Parkinson's over a dog?" he asked in annoyance, and I grit my teeth.

"No, but I can't talk about it until I find Graham my puppy!" I let him go, and started whistling for Graham. "Grahamy? C'mere boy!" I was about ready to go to the basement door--thinking maybe Graham had somehow gotten in there and caused the stomping--but remembered when the stomping started, he was right by my side. But even so, I had to check.

Taking off running, I made it to the door and was just about to throw open the door when Blaze shouted: "He's right here, you nutcase!" I spun around and saw him holding my frightened looking puppy by the collar, and I almost past out from relief. Can that even happen? I guess I almost made that possible....

"My baby!" I ran up to Blaze and yanked Graham from his grasp and cooed at him. "Are you okay? Why are you shaking? Did it scare you? C'mere boy, it's okay, it's over." Then my head shot up to Blaze, and I definitely looked murderous. "What the hell is going on down in your stupid man cave, Dawnovitz?!"

He looked taken aback for a second, but then that cool demeanor of his returned. "What the hell are you talking about now, Emery?" I sighed, then looked back down at Graham, trying to hide my fear.

"The reason I was yelling your name. There was some type of constant banging coming from the cellar door. It sounded like someone stomping; walking up and down the steps. I thought it was you, but you came in from behind me. What could it have been?" I asked, not really expecting him to answer.

He sighed tiredly. "What you probably heard was some type of system in the house turning on. I don't know, central air? This house always made weird noises; it's old. Get over it."

I stood up, feeling relieved. He still had that blank look on his face, staring down at me. "So, why are you here?"

He rolled his eyes. "I came to bring you cookies. They're on the steps. I came in here looking for you when you yelled my name. I figured you yelled for me 'cause you heard me come in or something." He shrugged, and I gave him a disbelieving glare.

"Well then why didn't you hear the stomping--" he glared down at me disapprovingly, "--the machines making noise?"

He shrugged, uncaring. "I don't know, maybe 'cause the machines and shit shut off before I got in here." I still didn't believe him, but I decided to let it go.