Not Alone

Remember in the olden days (or maybe not) magazines that carried fiction and the stories were  continued in the next month's magazine...a serial? Me either, I was a baby then. (Yes I was.)  For something different, I'm posting an old short story, in three parts, for your reading pleasure or pain (if you choose to be editor instead of reader it could cause pain). 





Not Alone
 Part I
    
           Sam had warned her. Actually, Erica’s husband had forbidden her from watching crime TV while he was away on a hunting trip. When she’d finally turned off the TV, scenes of torture and murder danced in her mind. But, she liked watching crime shows.

Erica pulled a blanket tight around her body despite the muggy summer air moving through the basement patio door. It was midnight and she was wide awake and—anxious. She sighed and turned the flat screen on again to watch a late night talk show.

“I wonder what Sam’s doing,” she said then pulled a cell phone from her pajama pocket and pushed a speed dial digit.

The number rang once and again and after the fourth ring went to voicemail. “This is Sam, leave it and I’ll return it.”

“Hi, Babe, just wanted to say I’m missing you. I hope you’re having fun, but I can’t wait to have you home again. Call me when you wake up? Love you.” Erica ended the call and placed the phone on the table next to the couch. She pulled free of the tangled blanket that held her captive and headed for the kitchen upstairs.

Erica stopped on the first step. “Maxy, where are you?”

Max strolled from behind a chair stretching his legs and meowing with each movement a wimpy sound not worthy of his 13 furry pounds. He flipped his bushy tail then rubbed against her legs.

Erica doubled over to gather Max in her arms, but soon released him when he squirmed for freedom. She took another step up then stopped to sniff the air. Was that cigarette smoke she smelled?

She remembered the open door and ran back to close it. Erica jumped when she saw her own distorted reflection in the glass then pulled the sheers over the black hole.

“I shouldn’t have let Sam take all the guns with him.” She laughed and walked back to the stairwell.

From the kitchen upstairs, Erica heard a muffled clatter that caused her heart to bounce in her chest. The noise stopped.

Should she be quiet? Should she make noise? Was there was someone in the kitchen?
Continued... next Friday.

Photo source: Lifestyle

Comments

I think there's someone in the kitchen! Ack!

Love this, Teresa! Thanks for sharing it. And..I remember those serials in the magazines, too! And the paper dolls in the McCalls mag. :)
Arlee Bird said…
Next Friday!!!?? I have to wait that long. Well, I guess those old serials were probably in magazines that were monthlies. I don't remember those either.


Lee
Tossing It Out
Mary Aalgaard said…
Beware the mysterious noise in the kitchen. There's a lot of weaponry in there!
Elizabeth, Thanks for helping me not be "alone" in knowing about serial fiction (and paper dolls).

Lee, Waiting builds character. Man, I hated that saying.

Mary, So true.
Nancy said…
Okay, so how did you know I like crime shows and my husband works out of town? I'm almost afraid to read next weeks installment. :)
Nancy, I can spy long distance! It's a gift.
Unknown said…
I have been in this dilemma and remember thinking the exact same thing - to make noise or be quiet? Actually she was just near the door, if someone entered before she shut the door they probably know she is home.
Jules said…
Noises in the kitchen and NO guns?! Next Friday it is. :)

Thanks for being patient with my MIA due to my temp job. Regular visits are coming. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Deb Shucka said…
This is exactly why I hated the serial stories in Saturday Evening Post (yes, I am old enough to remember). I just get hooked, am breathless as I read, and then have to WAIT. But, I'll be here eagerly looking for the next installment. :-)
Anonymous said…
I think in this I Want It Now world we will never se these series again. I don't remember them. Guess this is what go the previous generation to keep buying TV Guide or Readers Digest.
Hi Teresa .. I certainly remember serials and I'm sure they're still published ..

This is great - and what happened next - I have to wait a week?!

This is how Charles Dickens started writing .. Mrs Bleak House - is there someone in the kitchen?

Cheers and have a good week .. Hilary

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