SOMETHING ROAMS THE NIGHT...

ONE

The wind howled, sending a shiver down my spine. I stepped carefully over a puddle of water-I didn't want to get my new dress wet. It was already getting dark; I could see the sun beginning to set over the horizon.

"Nobody leaves their house after sunset," I remembered my mother's words. "Something roams this town at night. Something evil."

I didn't believe her-who would believe such nonsense? But it was always better to be safe than sorry.

Thorndale was a small town-we were a community of less than a thousand people. I lived in a small house with my parents and younger brother, far away from where the other town people stayed. So we had no neighbours, and we had to overcome a large distance before seeing any signs of life.

"Watch it," an old lady said as I nearly bumped into her.

I muttered an apology, but I wasn't sure if she had heard me.

I glanced at my watch-it was nearly seven. I was running late. I began to pick up my pace.

And then I heard it. I stopped walking and glanced around, confused.

"Haley."

Someone said my name so soft, I wasn't sure if I had heard right.

"Haley."

There it was again, as if it was right behind me. I turned around.

Slowly, slowly...

And I let out a high-pitched shriek.