Chapter One
It was gloomy and windy outside. I could see it from the small glass-window of the small cafeteria where I now sat, sipping slowly and occasionally from my second steaming cup of black coffee. I loved the way this hot black liquid streamed its way down my mouth, my throat and in to my stomach . It purely pleased me -- one of my favourite things that calmed my nerves down when I was depressed or lifted up my spirit when I was bored. Just like this small cafeteria itself had become my favourite little place ever since I first moved into this town three months ago.
I glanced at my wrist-watch: it was five o'clock. I had been sitting here for nearly one hour now, drinking cups of coffee and glancing up at the other few and odd people coming in. Odd because some minutes ago, an old man, perhaps in his seventies burst in and announced to the owner of the shop that the vampires are back. Stupid old man, how could he believe in such things as vampires at such an age?
I usually came here, in this small cafeteria with my friends to have some freshly-bake cakes and coffee but today I was all alone. My dear friends were simply busy with their own life.
I took two consecutive last sips from the cup and sighed. It was a damn dull day. Since the morning I had gone solely to the library and stayed there reading till four o'clock and came straight here. Another wasted day with no job at all to keep me away from boredom. It had been two weeks since I was jobless. It seemed that my ad of ''babysitter'' in several newspaper was not working.
I had enough of this; enough of staying idle in this slow-moving town. I needed to find another job as soon as possible. I should quit babysitting and start giving writing courses. I decided that it was a good idea and I ought to go for it when my mobile phone rang, halting my concentration to ponder upon future plans of employment. I reached into my handbag and fumbled across some items before my hands felt the cold material of my phone. I removed it and looked at the displayed number. It was unknown.
"Hello,'' I said.
"Hello. Am I speaking to Miss Anne Heriss?'' a charming female voice spoke.
"Yes, it is her,'' I answered.
''Are you free tonight? Can you please babysit my three-year old baby. My husband and I are going for a night party and we cannot bring him along. Can you look after him from seven o'clock till midnight?''
''Midnight?'' I asked, stunned. I had never been on duty after seven o'clock.''
Noting my hesitation, the woman proposed, '' Listen, I am ready to give you thirty dollars for your time. Is it enough or would you want more?''
Thirty dollars for only five hours, she must dwell in wealth. ''It's not about money, I have never been babysitting till late midnight and it may cause problem to come to your place and to return home afterwards as I don't possess a car.''
''Well, don't worry about that, I will come to fetch you at your place and drop you after. Just give me your address. Is that ok with you?''
That should not be a problem then. Especially when I have not done any job for the past two weeks. and the offer was nice...
''Ok, I live in house number four on Misty Street in the middle of the town What is your address?'' I said.
"Thank you very much Anne for your precious help dear. I'll come at your place at eight sharp." With those words, she hang up.
I looked at the time again- thirty past five. Time to go home. I replaced my phone into my handbag, grabbed it and got out of the cafeteria into the humid atmosphere outside, under the already darkening sky.
