BabySitting

Dedica knew something was wrong. Okay, she was afraid of the dark when she was a kid, but something else wasn't right, she could sense it. The house was just too quiet. Okay the kids had been laid to sleep and all that was left was to wait for Mr. And Mr's GrimShaw to come back. Even though the babysitting routine was lethargic by now, her gut instinct told her something was different. She decided to fetch a soda from the fridge. As she struggled to the fridge,half unconsciously by fatigue, she wondered why she liked this time of night. And then she realised it was the only time of day she could actually have to herself. Ah, the peace and tranquillity. Tranquillity, God that's a big word, was she becoming like her mother.

She had always disliked her mother, why she didn't know, maybe the fact she was so much better than her. And then it happened. She thought she must be hearing things. She must be mistaken but there it was, a loud sharp shrill. She dropped her soda can and ran back into the living room. To her relief, she knew instantly what it was . That 'Halloween' film was on TV again. Oh, but of course tonight was Halloween night. Everyone was out enjoying Themselves while she was stuck babysitting. She heard the heavy deep breathing of 'Michael Myer's', that infamous psychopath from the cult 70's horror film. And those footsteps, why did that film never have any music? She knew films like this were just for teenage kicks and realistically nothing like else ever happened. How could it? A man walks around killing people in Hattensfield on Halloween night and no-one suspects anything till the next morning.

Dedica decided she had enough horror in her own life and switched to CNN. Her boyfriend had dumped her recently as they needed a break to make their relationship stronger, is how he put it. She remembered what he said. 'I'm too busy playing football and studying to have a committed relationship at the moment and you and I parting for a while will only make us stronger'. Dedica could hear the kids up stairs. That banging must have been Shawn awaken to plodder to the toilet. But wasn't he making a lot of noise for a kid? His footsteps surely weren't that heavy? No, that wasn't right. Those footsteps were of heavy snow boots.

Startled by her suddenly realisation of what this was, she decided her mind was playing tricks. After all it was Halloween night. Thoughts like this weren't irrational on a night like this. She decided to check the kids just to make sure. She reached the stairs. And then it stopped. No more heavy banging. Her relief was immense. She took her first step up stairs. Alright, everything okay so far. Mind playing tricks. No, what was that shuffling?

It was like someone trying to move a desk. Dedica reached the stairs top. She opened the kids room and looked in. Oh God no, Shawn wasn't there. Mary was fast asleep though. Poor thing, life is a hard battle for a 3 year old. And then it happened again. She heard that shuffling. This time it was coming from the bathroom. Dedica grapped the nearest object, which unfortunately was the latest teletubby. No, can't protect yourself with that, bad idea. She spotted Shawn's baseball bat. Good, take that. No, what was she thinking, don't use it. She threaded across the carpet to the bathroom. Good, no sound. No, wait the door was opening.