I made no protests at the gift of free food that this strange spirit had bestowed upon me. I appreciated the graciousness of its mercy and decision to allow me to live. The scorched remains of the family it had destroyed egged me on with guilt and suspicion as I devoured turkey legs and biscuits like they were the last I'd ever have. Taking food from strangers was a gamble I was glad I made. Ravenous was a word that hardly described how desperate I was for nourishment. I hadn't eaten since the day before and I didn't care at this point if it poisoned me or not. I was going to die if this creature saw fit to kill me and I'd rather die full than starving. A tryptophan coma was far preferable to other options for dying.

"Thank you," I burped aloud as I finished another glass of milk.

Sleep was on the way and I pushed my chair back beneath the table and stumbled back in fright as it disappeared into nothingness once more. Talk about shortened hospitality. Yet, I was still grateful. No pangs of Death shook my stomach and throat and, instead, the stairs beckoned me back to the upstairs where that nice, silken bed awaited me. Why should I make the trek home when it was still dark? And any other trespassers who meant me harm would suffer the wrath of whatever spirit dwelled here also.

Since when have you been so cruel?

I shoved this thought aside and allowed myself the luxury of pulling myself, stiff leg after stuffed feet until I reached the top of their incline.

Round is a shape; it is the only shape I am in.

Stifling a laugh at my own fatness--which I wasn't, but it was a going joke given how rail thin I was--I wandered back into the bedroom and found the covers tucked neatly back in place as though I had never disturbed them. They enticed me, almost wrapping themselves around me and folding me within them without any effort on my part. I felt like I was floating. I wished to stay like this forever, but I knew I couldn't.

A fat, brick-like object in my back pocket began to buzz. My hand hit my head and I realized just how foolish I was. I had opted to sneak a pair of jeans beneath my robes--no one had realized I wasn't dressed for graduation. Consequently, I had stuffed my phone into my back pocket to text during the more boring parts of the ceremony. Why hadn't I thought to call my parents and let them know I was stranded?

Am I stupid?

Reaching into my pocket, I fished it out and let the dim night-light bathe the room in orange. The lights flickered out and it became the only source of waking reality for me to hold on to. The sleeping nothingness around me was pulling me in as I squinted to make out the angry messages from my friends for not having responded to them. Granted, I only had two friends and they only really cared today because they wanted me to come out and party.

I opened the conversation between my mother and I.

0 Unread Messages.

Well, at least I know she cares.

Rolling my eyes, I bit back a few choice replies and opted instead to message her with words of kindness to spare myself a headache later. College was imminent so long as I kept my head down and said nothing. The scholarship had kept them quiet about the few costs left and they had even opted to help me pay for the remaining balance just to get me out of the house. I was willing to bet the funds for my job would be able to go toward other things... I couldn't afford to jeopardize that. Not when I was this close.

Hey Mom,

Sorry for not reaching out sooner. The Trash broke down and I'm staying at a friend's house. It's on Route-7, in case you were wondering. I'll save up the funds to get it fixed.

That should make her happy. If I pay for it, she won't say anything.

I had the money saved up to pay for things like this. I actually had enough for a downpayment on a car. If I could convince my parents to cosign, what with my new job and all... If they paid for the college funds and saw me trying to be responsible, I might have my way. I had enough to even make the first few months' payments.

While I had a job as a fry cook waiting for me at college, I had spent all of high school putting money away by commissioning my art projects. I was rather good; some small businesses had paid me over the years for some minor projects and my friends online were always finding ways to get me commissioned for various other endeavors. It didn't make me much per piece, but the little things would add up over time and I was incredibly frugal. I didn't exactly have friends or fun things to do to spend my money, any way. A few art supplies here and there and an art tablet were all I needed to keep the revenue coming, no matter how regular it was or wasn't at a specific point in time.

I opened my banking app and smiled.

Checking: $500

Savings: $4,000

I had done well. I always kept myself some kind of buffer in checking; I had done a few good art projects right before graduation and hadn't moved over the money from those to savings yet, but the point was made. I had a hefty amount gathered up from four years of dedication to the practice. I could lobby my parents in the morning once I had a fresh mind to do so.

My phone buzzed again.

Thanks for letting me know.

So Mom actually does read my messages right away sometimes. At least she wasn't rude--

Good luck buying yourself another car. You should learn to take better care of the things we give you.

Never mind.

I tossed my phone to the bedside table and closed my eyes. The sound of a distant clock ticking away pulled me into a trance and all at once I found myself being swept away by the roaring tide of my loving dreams.

~*~

A few remnants of my scattered dreams followed me into the daylight, but the mystery enshrouding them drowned them out before I could decipher them. I was better at remembering them when I wasn't stressed out; as comfortable as I was beginning to feel in this creepy old house, it still wasn't the ideal situation for me to be in.

Bacon and eggs washed away any remaining terrors and the fact that I had not died the night before called me down without hesitation this time to the dining room table, which had returned clean and ready for a new meal. Another sheet of parchment awaited me at the table. Less frightened this time, I scooped it up and began to read.

Dear child of insolence,

I'm glad that you slept well and enjoyed the dinner. Nice manners, by the way. I've never been thanked for a meal, mid-burp or not.

I've elected to give you breakfast as well. Maybe this could be a regular thing. I know you'll leave tonight and it will be some time before you return, but come back soon? I could use the company, even if we don't talk directly.

For your trouble, I "took care" of the person chasing you in the woods last night. It was the truck driver, by the way. He won't be a worry for you or anyone else any more. Just avoid the right side of the woods and you won't find the evidence. Remain aloof to what you've read here and the truth that lies rotting out there and the cops won't ever suspect you either. This message will disintegrate after you read it to protect you further. Just like in those awful spy movies... so cliché.

I also chose to give you a gift. It's waiting for you back out on the road. Just go find your way to the Trash--go to the left, dear. It's waiting for you with her. Not much, but I wanted to thank you for being such a lovely guest... I'll miss you, even though I've just met you.

Do well at college and, if you're doing yourself some favors, come back and see me for Thanksgiving. Last night was a far cry from what I can do for holidays.

And know that the world is about to change. Should you ever need guidance or find the clues that are waiting for you out there... you can always come here for help deciphering them. You're about to embark on a grand journey, my friend. But you'll always have a home here.

Be safe, child of insolence.

- P

I wasn't aware that there had been hallucinogens in the turkey the night before. Was I going mad? Was I really on drugs? This wasn't making any sense but--

Ooo, bacon.

The breakfast being a great distraction from the impending worry over what that note meant and the possible dead body waiting in the woods, I shoveled piles of bacon and eggs down to bury those thoughts even farther in the crevices of my mind.

No sense in worrying over things I can't control. Just let the murderer have their fun and don't get on their bad side.

The plate empty, I shoved it away and I got up from the table. It disappeared along with the note and I returned upstairs to grab my phone. That being secured, I came back down and hurried out the door, but not before shouting another loud thank you to my strange, violent host. Whomever they were.

Turning to my left, I hurried through the trees, finding them far less menacing in the light than in the dark. Not that light would stop a murderer from changing their mind and chasing me out of that foul house I had let myself become so falsely comfortable in.

The things you do to survive...

Shuddering and releasing the weight of the previous night along with any memory of that place--at least for the time being--I found my way to the road once again. The semi-truck was parked right along-side the road and true to the creepy spirit's word, it was empty of any driver.

I pushed away the truth of what had happened to him and started back up the road to where the Trash had been parked. Except, it wasn't there.

In its place was a new, shiny and screaming red sports car. I shrieked and reached into the car to fish out the keys--its convertible top conveniently down so that I could reach them without much of a struggle. A note dangled from them.

For the child of insolence.

-P