They Come at Night

Click. The sound was so satisfying. It meant security. Steven turned and faced the empty house. The barking of two chihuahuas, and one squawking bird. Welcomed him home. It would be at least an hour until his sister came home, and for his parents it was most likely three. These numbers mattered. It was all Routine. With the 20 pounds on his back, and a twenty pound saxophone in his right hand he lumbered down the dark hall. Two doors open. 

“What are you doing?” the words were a whisper. Nearly inaudible, but nonetheless there. 

It sent a chill down his spine, and put a burst of speed into his feet. His room was at the end of the hall, forcing him to pass by both empty rooms. He kept his eyes forward, fighting the urge to peek. Nothing good would come from it. He opened his door, and tossed his backpack down with a thud. Routine was important, and that meant it was time for the dogs to go out. Back down the hall, this time he made it a point to close, the doors to each room he passed. No one else is home, he told himself. 

The dogs stood at the front of the cage, so excited their entire bodies were shaking. Their barking now a whimper of anticipation. 

“Hey, steven.” The voice, louder this time, was coming from the kitchen.

He refused to look. The dogs were his barometer. Every little thing made them bark. The fact that they weren’t reacting meant that no one was there. He was in fact alone. He let them out, and took a deep breath. No one’s there. He slowly looked towards the empty kitchen.

Chhkkk chhkkk chkkkk.  The sound caught him off guard. “Really you two, I just let you out. He opened the door letting the dogs back in. their routine was as important as his. A treat for each, and then time for Steven to get his own snacks. 

The routine carried on, with half an hour to relax, and then homework  while the TV droned on in the background. 

Outside his window he heard, the sound of rocks moving. He stared at the clock. It was about that time, but he had to be sure. A quick peek through the blinds saw his sister and her friend, approaching the house together, chatting and giggling. The door opened and their voices filled the house with life. 

“Hey Sister.” he called out, still needing to be sure it was really her. 

“Hey brother.” there it was. Why they said these words so formally he wasn’t sure, but it was their thing, and he knew it was her. “Tori’s here.”

“Ugghh, hi Tori.” He acted exasperated, but having the extra voices was good. He could blame anything he heard on the two of them. 

“Gee Steven, thanks.”

“You’re, welcome.” that was that. He settled back into his homework, losing track of time. 

Before he knew it his parents were home, and his youngest sister had run into his room on her tiny legs, her face a mess of dried snot. “Bubby.” she said, throwing his door open and running in. 

Steven wrapped his arms around her, “Hey monkey butt.” 

“Hey bub. Dinner’s ready.” His mom called down the hall. 

It was a quick meal, before he dragged himself back to his homework. Page after page of math questions, and a paper later his mom poker her head in the door, “Night bub.” 

He couldn’t believe it was that late already. Where had the day gone. His eyes were heavy and all he wanted to do was sleep. He crawled up the ladder to his bed. Safely tucked away he turned to his side to watch some TV. 

Through the crack in the door, his youngest sister stood in the darkness of the hallway. 

“Hey monkey, is that you?” 

The toddler remained un moving, unblinking, her eyes locked on to Steven’s. 

“It’s okay, you can come in.” he beckoned, unsure why she had chosen to get him instead of his parents, but he was awake so it didn’t really bother him. 

The little girl put her hand on the door, but refused to enter. 

“okay, hold on.” He started to pull his legs around, but she was gone before his feet had hit the top rung. He hopped down, and walked to His Sisters’ room. They were both sound asleep. The dogs were silent. No one was in the house. 

Why wouldn’t the ghosts leave him alone? He got back in bed, every nerve now on edge. He knew he needed sleep, but at this point it wasn’t worth fighting to just toss and turn. He turned over to just stare at the ceiling. 

From thin air, an elderly, obese man appeared atop Steven. The man’s tanned wrinkled skin, contrasted against the wispy white hair atop his head. He placed both hands on Either side of Steven’s head.

“Racthana, shino ballk raddy haugh.” Hot breath, laced with spit hit Steven making him wince. The face twisted in anger, as if upset that Steven couldn’t understand what it was saying. “Twechna. Kuchfad banni. Ummredin.”

The space between Steven and this man was so tight he could barely manage to wiggle about. Getting out of bed was impossible. What could he do. He sobbed. “What do you want from me?”

“Srfhhnai vechnu mesna opry.” It screamed out now. One finger waving at Steven. 

“Go away.” Steven screamed.

The image disappeared and the light in the hall turned on. His parent’s had heard him. He was safe. But the ghost had wanted something from him, and he didn’t know what to do. When would it be back, and would it be more hostile knowing nothing had been done? Why had they chosen him?