The unexpected Visitor

                                                      [First attempt at a Short story]

SAT MORNING 7:00 AM CST:

The sun shone brightly on the woods…Birds chirped on the trees and few ducks swam on the lake nudging their young who wandered away by quacking a  warning at them…Susan Greenwood swung open the door of her house… She was a 13 year old Teen aged girl with strawberry blonde hair, heart shaped face and bright blue twinkling eyes…she was wearing white jeans and navy blue tee shirt tucked into her pants, olive green jacket and knee length brown boots…she swiftly ran carrying a brown travel bag to her mom’s car a Hybrid Toyota Prius.. Switched the button on to open the boot and put the suitcase in…

“Moommmm…Mommm…You have any more bags or just the one??” she hollered.

Jane an attractive woman in  her late 30’s walked out with a travel bag in one hand and Gucci purse in the other…sunglasses folded at the front of her mustard yellow blouse and light blue jeans ...Susan ran to her and pried the travel bag from her hand…”I will put this in the boot too”. ”Susan…Honey…Please be careful there is jewelry and the crystal set which is a gift for your cousin Ginny!!”

Susan rolled her eyes “Gawd...I know mom. I will be careful. I just want to help”

“I saw that” said Jane scowling and soon a look of concern washed over her face as she stared at her daughter locking the boot and running back towards her.

“Take care of your little brother” Jane hugged Susan tight… “I will be back Monday first thing in the morning. I wish your dad was here… He and his business trips... He is never back on time” she sighed.

“Ok a quick run on the things I want you to remember”…Some emergency money is in the kitchen cookie jar. My number, aunt Sharon’s numbers are on the fridge... I have told our neighbor Mrs Crabapple that your home alone and she will check on u during the night before you guys go to bed...

“There is lasagna in the fridge and some blueberry pie…make sandwiches for your brother and cut the crust off…you know how he doesn’t like them” said Susan cutting off  Jane in mid-sentence…”I know I know you’ve told me a 100 times already… Gosh”

Jane paid no heed to her daughter’s mimicry of her voice and continued “Lock all the doors, turn off the stove and call me if you need anything…”

A five year old boy walked out the house…”Mommmm…Can I play my xbox after dinner when you’re gone??? You said I could…” He had dark brown hair and blue eyes…his shirt hung loose on one side and his shoe laces skipped some holes. His hair was unkempt as he looked up at his mother.

Jane knelt down and tucked in his shirt... Brushed his hair to one side and started fixing the shoe lace...

“Mommm...” whined Leroy…” Can I eat ice cream for breakfast?? Pleeeeeeease…can I”??

Jane gave an audible sigh...”No sweetheart...you can have toast. Susan is gonna make you some eggs..You need to drink milk not eat ice cream”

She looked at Leroy’s pouting face and side glanced at Susan “Of course you can eat ice cream once you eat your veggies and finish your homework” and kissed his forehead...Leroy managed an half smile for his mom’s sake.

 “Phew look at the time” Jane looked down at her watch “I gotta start now else I will miss the rehearsal dinner for your cousin Ginny’s wedding. Sorry you guys can’t make it...You have your midterms next week…anyways we will go to the Reception party next weekend else Aunt Sharon will be furious with me and your dad will be back by then…hopefully “

Jane got up and walked to her car... Her black boots clicking on the stone gravel of their pathway ...She got in and shut the car door...Checked the mirror and yanked the seat forward...Put the key in the lock and revved up the engine…the radio turned on “Winds of change…” by the Bee gees…”Oh I love this song” exclaimed Jane and reversed her car on to the curb…She paused for a min and looked at the kids…”Bye kids. Love you. Go inside and Lock the door…Call me if you need anything”

Susan and Leroy ran towards the car and stood waving “Bye mommy. Love you…Will miss you. Drive safe” until the car was just a tinge of green at the end of the road and then it disappeared as it took a turn.

Susan held Leroy and walked back to the house…”Don’t worry little brother. I will take good care of you…I promise.”

SUN EVENING 20:00 HOURS CST:

A blanket of darkness hung over the woods and the full moon shone in the sky playing hide and seek in between the trees.

“Alright kids… The chili is in the microwave and the apple pie is in the fridge in case you get hungry late at night said the old woman. She was in her 70’s and had silver hair, she wore a flower printed beige dress and a green sweater. She bent over the gas to make sure it was turned off and turned to look at Susan in the kitchen. “Susan, did you lock the front door??” “Yes Mrs. Crabapple, I did, don’t worry”.

“Ok then I will leave you kids and get back home…Missy must be hungry…she left through the cat door at noon and hasn’t returned home”

“Ok then Leroy. Good night. Susan will tuck you in...Susan, Lock the kitchen door please. Call me if you need anything.”

“Good night Mrs. Crabapple” the kids chorused together half glad to see her go…

Susan locked the kitchen door and turned towards Leroy...Ok mr...Off to bed for you. Mom is back tomorrow. I don’t want you to be all groggy and a sleepy head in the morning”

“Okkayyyy...Can I take some pie to bed with me??” Leroy smiled…

“Fiiine” Susan rolled her eyes. I’ll get you some up to your bedroom. Go up and change into your pajamas please”

Leroy stomped up the wooden stairs…and Susan started walking towards the Fridge.

“TRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGG” rang the Kitchen Phone…Susan jumped!!

She picked up the receiver…Her ears ringing…” Hello??””

Jane’s voice answered...”Hi Susan…its mommy!!”

Susan could hear voices in the background and could hear her Aunt Sharon’s shrill laughter…”Yes mommy...I am here”

“Is everything fine out there baby? Did you & Leroy have dinner?? Did Mrs. Crabapple come visit you?? Did you lock the doors??” blurted out Jane.

“Mom...Mom…Mom hang on…Take a deep breath. Everything is fine. Are you driving back tonight?? How was the rehearsal dinner??” interrupted Susan.

“Yes honey. I called to tell you …I am driving back tomorrow early morning...Will reach home before noon...Tomorrow is a holiday so stay in...Have cereals for breakfast and I will get you leftovers from tonight …ok?? Aunt Sharon doesn’t want me to drive at night…You know how protective she can be” Jane sighed…

Susan chuckled “Tit for tat mom...We will be fine. Don’t worry about us...Did you talk to dad?”

“Dad called me…He doesn’t like the idea of you kids being on your own...So he will be flying back early tomorrow evening” Jane shouted covering her ears over the loud chatter in her sister’s kitchen.

“That’s great then Mom…Love you…Say hi to Aunt Sharon, Uncle Paul & Ginny. I miss her. ”

“Will do baby…Good night hon…Love you”

“Good night…Love you too”

Susan looked at the kitchen watch over the sink. It was half past 8pm... She peered through the kitchen window looking into the woods. It was a dark & foggy night…a cold wind howled over the lake making the wind chimes sway on the porch and causing the tiny bells to ring all at once”

“TRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGG” rang the Kitchen Phone…Susan jumped again!!

She picked up the Phone receiver…Her heart pounding in her chest…

“Hello??...Mom??”…”Dad is that you??” …. Dead Silence

….”Mrs Crabapple??”…Long Pause…

”Danny if it’s you. I am gonna kill you!! This is not funny”…The wind howled louder and the wind chimes swayed back & forth wildly now…

It started drizzling ...“Who is this???…I am hanging up!!!”

Creeeeeeeeeeaaaaaakkkkkkkk……Creeaaaaaaaakkkkkkkkkk she could hear a slow and deliberate squeaking sound like nails scratching on a glass window…and a heavy breathing sound...Susan nervously whispered into the phone...”Who…who… is this??” 

A raspy voice croaked “OPEN THE DOOR…OPEN THE DOOOOOOORRR…I AM HERE…OPENNNN…”

Susan hung up the phone and nervously looked around the kitchen…She slowly moved towards the kitchen window. Her heart pounding in her chest…who could it be at this hour?

Rain drops were swiftly falling now beating at the kitchen windows. The white curtains flapping…

Susan looked out the window…the swings in the backyard were swinging back & forth...the metal rungs clanging loudly…

She peered at the porch...her mom’s rocking chair was rocking wildly…”She forgot to put it in!!!”

But that’s not what was important now…There was no one at kitchen door…

Susan ran to the front door and looked through the peep hole…No one there…The gate had come undone and was flapping wildly in the strong winds…

“Susannnnnnnnnnnn……..Suuuuusaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn” screamed Leroy as the lights went out!!!

Susan stumbled back from the front door tripped on the coat stand and fell…”Leroy…Leroy…wait there…I will get the candles and matches…Don’t come down!!”

Susan stumbled across to the dining room and yanked the desk drawer open. Her fingers fumbling for matches”

She found it…finally...and grabbed the candle...her hands were shaking…she started lighting the match... ”ouch” it fizzled out and she dropped it…another one…another one…”dang it”

“Susannnnnnnnnnnn……..Suuuuusaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn…where are youuu??? I am scared. I want mommyyyyy…”

“Coming Leroy...Just hold on…These dang matches…”

Light…Susan finally lit a match and lighted the candles…she put the matches down and went up the stairs two at a time…”Comminnnnng Leroy….”

She ran into Leroy’s room…her brother was under the sheets shaking...weeping…”I want mommmmmmyyyy””…

She placed the candles on the table and removed the sheets…”Its fine…Ssshhh…its fine..Leroy..I am here now…everything is going to be Ok…Mommy & Daddy are coming back tomorrow…Sshh”

She gently rocked her brother…”Mommy spoke to me…she said she misses u and will be back as soon as possible…Don’t worry” 

MONDAY MORNING 3:00 AM CST:

Susan woke up with a start…It took a min to sink in where she was…Leroy was fast asleep next to her...

The candles had died out completely. She left the matches in the dining room below…”Shucks!!!”

She pulled the covers up till Leroy’s neck…and he mumbled something under his breath...

She got out of bed slowly…”There must be torch in mum’s bedroom”… she walked baby steps…ever so slowly to Leroy’s bedroom door...

“Ouch!!!” she gasped…A Lego was wedged into her feet…the sharp edge causing her so much pain that she wanted to scream loudly…She covered her mouth with her hands and kicked the lego under the bed..

“Aaaarghhh Leroy!! Leaving his toys all over the place!!!”

She limped slowly to the door and opened it…she went out and closed it slowly watching her brother sleeping soundly unaware of her pain…

Susan limped slowly to her mom’s room…the Grandfather clock in the Drawing room Ticked loudly “TICK TICK TICK…”

The Cat figurine on the table stand looked at her with jeweled green eyes…its eyes gleaming in the dark…staring at her…

She averted her eyes and limped on to her parents’ bedroom…she turned the door knob and walked in...

Moon light streamed in through the window…A lone owl hooted somewhere far way…woooo…hooooo…

Susan tried to make the outline of the bed…and the chest of drawers next to it where her mom keeps the emergency torch light…

She let her hands feel for the drawer handle…then slowly yanked it open…she fumbled in the drawer…trying to feel the outline of a torch… Found it!!!

Phew…tears of relief…she grabbed the torch and flipped for the red switch… Nothing!!

“Noooooo…Come on…” She banged on the torch…She opened the batteries panel… nothing…”No…Noooooooo...This can’t be happening…batteries...where are the batteries???”

“Batteries are in daddy’s home office…he usually has a stock of them in his drawer... I have to go back down…God!!”

Susan slowly turned around…her legs felt heavy like they were made of lead and dragged her feet…She went to the stairs and held on tightly to the railing…And started climbing down…one step after another…slowly…

She reached the bottom of the stairs... The rain had now stopped but it was lightly drizzling… In the Drawing room the clock was Ticking…slowly now…“TICK …TICK…TICK…”

She started walking slowly towards her dad’s home office…Torch in one hand…The other hand stretched out in front of her...

CREAAAAAAKKKKKK…Creeeeeeeeeeaaaaaakkkkkkkk….Susan stopped dead in her tracks…frozen…her eyes staring widely in front of her…her hands stretched out… She did not move…She broke into a sweat…her heart pounding wildly now…she couldn’t move an inch…

The familiar raspy voice croaked “OPEN THE DOOR…OPEN THE DOOOOOOORRR…I AM HERE…OPENNNN…SUSANNNNNNN….OPEN THE DOOR”

Susan ran to the study…opened the door and shut it behind her and locked it… she stumbled to her father’s work desk and hid under it…breathing heavily…holding the torch…her hands shaking!!!

“Who could it be??Who would do this to her…Mrs Crabapple??...No…why would she…did she come to check up on them…so late in the night??? Noooooo…she wouldn’t… she would have called first…Should I dial 911…what do I do??? Leroy…Oh God…Leroy”

She slowly crawled out and sat on the chair…She yanked one drawer after another… fumbling in the dark…”batteries…batteries...where are they??”

Finally she found them…she almost leapt for joy and grabbed them!! She opened the torch battery panel and shoved the batteries in…”Will call mom…If I hear the voice again…Be Brave Susan…she told herself”...She flipped the red switch on the torch. ..LIGHT!!

She heaved a sigh of relief and knelt on all 4 fours…she slowly started crawling towards the door…torch in one hand…she turned the key and slowly turned the door knob…Opened the door for a bit and listened…Silence… only the clock was Ticking…maliciously now…“TICK….…TICK……TICK……”

She pulled the door open farther and crawled out slowly…need to reach the cordless phone in the drawing room...she would grab the phone and make a run for it up the stairs…Lock herself in her room and not come out till daylight tomorrow…

She crawled slowly towards the couch… She could here herself breathing…”few more steps...grab the phone...” Time seemed to stop…she pushed herself one crawl at a time…her legs felt heavy…her eyes were drowsy...they almost shut closed…”No…stay awake…you need to call momm…need to call….momm”

She finally made it to the coffee table…And reached out to the phone…She grabbed it and turned it on…no lights…she switched it off & on again…”it’s not turning on…lights are out…maybe phones won’t work too”…she desperately started dialing her mom’s no on the hand phone..No beep..No nothing !!!

CRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAACKKKKKKKKKKKKK….A loud thunder hit the skies and the tree branch outside the window snapped…fell to the ground with a loud thud…THUDD !!!!

There was a flash of light at the window…. Susan looked up her heart in her mouth …A woman in red dress was standing there…staring at her…her eyes soulless…dead white skin…dark circles around her eyes…she lifted her bony fingers and scraped her long red painted nails on the glass window pane… 

“SUSANNNNNNN…OPEN THE DOOR…OPEN THE DOOOOOOORRR…I AM HERE…OPENNNN…NOWWWWWWW”

Susan just sat there…not flinching…her mouth wide open…her eyes staring in horror…

The eeeerie voice continued “OPEN THE DOOR…OPEN THE DOOOOOOORRR…I AM HERE…OPENNNN”…

Susan came to her senses...got up and ran…up the stairs….to her room…locked the door…sat on the bed shaking…she started sobbing…”Mom…dad…Mom...Please help me…I am scared…help me…please…”

She looked up…tears streaming down her face…her Anna marie doll lay propped on the chair…staring at her…with her red locks & freckles in her white frock and blue bow tie…smiling at her…sinister gleam in her blue eyes…

The moon light streamed in through her glass window…the owl hooted...woooooh…ooooooh…

Susan slowly got out of her bed and walked to her window…slowly…not making a sound…she stood at the corner…drew the curtains to one side and looked out... rain had stopped now…the winds were silent…the branches looked like stretched out bony fingers of an old woman…while the moon came out in between the trees when the fog cleared…”no sign of the woman in the red dress”….Susan looked around her eyes darting to every corner...”nobody…”

She turned to go back to her bed…”KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK”

Susan froze...she wanted to run but her legs were not moving…She wanted to scream…but there was no sound coming out of her mouth!!

She slowly turned around…shaking like a leaf...

The woman in red dress was standing there…staring at her… she lifted her bony fingers and scraped her long red painted nails on the glass window pane… CREAAAAAAKKKKKK…Creeeeeeeeeeaaaaaakkkkkkkk…“SUSANNNNNNN…“OPEN THE DOOR…OPEN THE DOOOOOOORRR…I AM HERE…OPENNNN…LET ME IN…”

As Susan stood in complete shock & disbelief…The woman put her bony fingers under the window sill and started lifting it up…SQUEEEAAAAAAAKKKK… SQUEEEAAAAAAAKKKK

Susan screamed “Noooooooooo….Noooooooooooo…Who are yooooooou? What do you want from me……..? Stay away……..How did you get up here??????? Nooooooooo…”

The woman lifted the window up and slowly started climbing in…Susan just stood there…A voice in her head was screaming “Runnnnnnn...Susan…Runnnn away…” but she couldn’t move…her legs didn’t feel like hers…she felt wet and tired…a strange feeling took over…she felt her eyes were heavy and shutting down…She felt herself collapsing on the floor...tears blurring her vision as she saw the woman stand over her. Staring at her…”IT’S YOUR TIME….. IT’S YOUR TIME…..SUSANNNN….LET ME IN” 

MONDAY NOON 12:00 PM CST:

“Susan…Susan…Susan…honey…Wake up!!” Jane was slapping her daughter on the face gently…

Susan opened her eyes slowly…Jane was looking at her with concern…

“Mom???...Mom…is that you…Mom” Susan got up and hugged Jane sobbing uncontrollably now…”Oh Mom…it was horrible…it was a horrible nightmare…”

“Susan…sweetheart...your sweating…your dress is drenched in sweat. You’re running a fever…you slept through breakfast. What happened baby??....Leroy opened the front door for me…he said you locked yourself in your room and he called out to u many times but u didn’t open the door…He was very scared”

“The woman…the woman in the red dress…she came in last night…she..she..” Susan stuttered…

“Hush…hush...you had a bad dream...get up Susan…wash up soon…I will make you some hot soup” Jane comforted her…

Jane helped Susan get up….She looked at the white carpet and the back of Susan’s night gown……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………… It was covered in Blood.