Spooked(Kristin Dockar) Spooked

Nell’s cottage was three hundred years old. The end of the garden overlooked a cemetery but Nell never minded that. She said it was peaceful, restful and she quite enjoyed watching the funerals that took place on a regular basis.
At 84 years old she had no fear of death. Her mantra had always been ‘live well’ and she stuck to that. She was fit and active, her curious nature kept her outlook young, and she believed her ‘6 o clock glass of wine’ contributed to her well-being.

Tonight, as she looked out of the front window and observed the late October night drawing in, she was also aware of a smokiness in the atmosphere and she heard the fizz and bang of some early fireworks. Skeletal tree branches reached blackly up to the sky and fine raindrops spattered against the windows.

She drew the curtains and settled into her armchair to watch the evening news. As she sipped her wine, she was surprised to see a shadow cross the window.
She waited for a knock at the front door but nothing happened. Then she saw the shadow pass back the opposite way. Getting to her feet, she went to the front door and opened it. Looking both ways, she could see nothing, and then she heard a muffled cry.

Nell went back indoors pulling on her coat and finding her shoes. Picking up her keys she went out and walked along her path. She almost stumbled over a bundle. Looking down while trying to rebalance herself, she saw the bundle move and then a head reared up.

‘Leave me alone’.
‘Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my garden?’
Nell saw a boy. He looked around 14 years old.
‘Go away, leave me alone’. He repeated.
‘Get up’ she snapped ‘you frightened the life out of me’.
‘What, did you think I was a ghost or something’ he jeered.
‘Up’ said Nell ‘now’.

The boy got to his feet with a sulky face but there was also a hint of relief.
‘What you going to do? Call the Police? Well don’t worry because they’re already looking for me’.
Nell took him by the arm and led him indoors. She indicated for him to sit down and she noticed he sat as close to the fire as possible.
‘OK. Tell me’.
‘I’m from the Cottage Homes and I’ve done a runner. I’m not staying there anymore. I hate it’.
‘Can I at least let them know you’re safe’.
‘You touch that phone and I’m out of here’.

Nell walked through to the kitchen. The Cottage Homes had looked after orphaned children for more than one hundred years.

‘Do you drink hot chocolate?’
‘Yeah’ and then a pause ‘Thank you’.

While Nell was making the drink, she texted the vicar and told him about the boy.
Coming back into the living room, she saw he had disappeared.
Pulling her coat back on, Nell rushed outside. Nothing. She let herself into the churchyard through her gate and walked over to the porch. Again nothing. Walking round the circumference of the church, she found nothing.
As she walked back up the garden path, she saw a scrap of paper on the doormat. ‘Thank you’ it said.

As Nell went indoors totally puzzled her phone was ringing. It was the vicar.
‘Nell’ he boomed ‘what’s this message about? There’s been no boy escaped from the Cottage Homes. I’ve just checked. No police involvement either. Can’t think what you’re going on about’.
‘Well, there was a boy here and he said he’s from the Home, now he’s disappeared’.
‘Are you sure you haven’t been at the vino a little early’.
‘Don’t insult me. I know what I saw’ Nell snapped back.
‘Maybe it was a ghost, nearly Halloween you know’ and the vicar roared with laughter and hung up.

Nell walked slowly to the front door where the scrap of paper still lay. She locked the door, poured herself more wine and sat down, still looking at the paper.

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