COMPLETED; SHORT STORY: ( A Halloween Prompt ) 

You open the door and there is ....

“Mr. Wilson?” I asked confused and opened the door further.

“Sorry Faith, did I startle you?” he came in smiling slightly. “I forgot my wallet on the dresser.”

I nodded and watched him go up stairs. Bethany sat on the couch watching Halloween shows silently eating what candy I had brought over for her. In my pocket my cell phone vibrated to alert me of a text message.

I pulled it out and opened the text, “I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” I replied quickly and pushed the phone back into my pocket as Mr. Wilson descended the staircase.

“Everything alright?” he asked with concern written on his forehead.

“Oh yeah, everything is fine don’t worry,” I said reassuringly opening the door for him.

He nodded, “We won’t be out past eleven.”

“Take all the time you need, you two deserve a night out,” I said hurriedly trying to close the door so I could answer my consistent collection of text messages.

It wasn’t until I saw their car pull out from the driveway and disappear into the enclosing fog that I once again took my phone from my pocket. Seventeen messages had been sent to me in that short range of time. All of them were from him....

Of course everyones parents tell you to be careful of internet predators, but I had my common sense. I could tell a fake from a real, right?

Every text was different and becoming more demanding.

“Hey, beautiful. What are you doing?”

“Hello?”

“You there or no?”

“Answer me....”

“Are you mad at me or something?”

“HELLO?”

I couldn’t believe the amount of texts. I’ve never met this guy in person, I met him over Facebook and he most definitely is real - not a fake. Josh Whitford a freshmen in a local community college going for Criminal Justice.

“Hey sorry, I was busy,” I replied as I walked back into the living room and sat next to Bethany. While I waited for his response I reached over to steal a piece of Bethany’s candy until she hit my hand away.

“Doing what?”Josh texted.

“Babysitting... save me.”

“Can I come over?”

I thought for a moment looking over to Bethany. Would she tell her parents on me or would they let it slide? I mean it’s only one person not a crowd....

“Yeah, I’d like that Josh.”

“I’ll be over in ten.”

It should have been a red flag. I never told him the location yet he said he’d be over in ten minutes? Though I didn’t think like that, I went into the bathroom and made sure I looked good enough to be presentable to a guy older than me by a few years. A guy whom I had never met.

“What are you doing?” Bethany watched me with her head peeked up over the back of the couch.

“Tell me how I look,” I said ignoring her question spinning in a circle in front of her.

“Umm, like you always do....”

“Thanks,” I rolled my eyes at her blunt reply. “I want you to go upstairs and watch TV in your parents room all right?”

“Are you having a boy over?”

“I’m having a friend over,” I corrected. “And while that friend is over I’d like you to please stay in your parents room... can you do that for me Bethany, please?”

She thought for a moment before jumping down off the couch, “Only if you get me more candy.”

Headlights flashed from the driveway so I had no time to bargain with her, “Fine. Two bags of candy, your choice. Now upstairs.” I pointed to the stair case.

The car door shut and foot steps could be heard on the porch steps. I went to the door and waited to open it after I heard Bethany shut the bedroom door upstairs.

I unbolted the dead bolt and slowly pulled the door open until it was forced back roughly as a figure in black came in. The figure’s hands took a hold of my blonde hair dragging my feeling body back to him. I tried to let out a scream of horror until being cut off by a large gloved hand.

It smelt of the dampness of a cellar, old and musty. I struggled and thrashed against him except he was too strong and overpowering. This wasn’t Josh, it was a set up. What did I do? How could I have been so blind? What about Bethany upstairs?

A scream managed to escape the glove clamped over my mouth. His glove was replaced by an old rag. I tried to pull away but pain wracked my head from his grip on my hair.

The rag smelt sweet; it was a high that made my mind feel hazy and calm.... Slowly my vision became darker until I slipped into the waiting blackness.  

He dragged her unconscious body into the living room leaving her on the carpet in front of the couch. The man was aware that a child was in the home but knew she wasn’t a threat.

Slowly making his way up the stairs he opened the first door on the left to see the TV on but no child. He didn’t need to look under the bed to prove she was there hiding in silence.

His gloved hands reached in and locked the door and closed it behind him. He went down stairs while pushing up the sleeves of his coat checking his watch finding it to be time for the six o’clock news.

The TV turned on and the news announcer broadcasted live, “Good afternoon, I’m Gloria Hill live with you at six and we are bringing you straight to a special news report.”

Her voice echoed through the silence of the house as the dark-figured man stepped into the kitchen. His dark eyes scanned the counters to find the block of knives.  He made his choice carefully pulling out a simple small paring knife and the rod sharpener walking slowly back to the living room. An FBI Agent was making a public alert to small city.

“Please stay inside and lock your doors. Women varying from the ages of eighteen to twenty-seven should not be staying home alone. Have a friend over and stay alert. This serial killer preys on a type. We believe it is blonde women, but of course we are not certain. If you see anything unusual do not hesitate to call 911. I repeat do not hesitate to call 911.”

A smirk slowly drew itself upon the masked mans face. He was making his mark, he was getting his moment of fame....