Jane’s heart beat quickened as she turned her gaze to the kitchen door; there it stood flung open on its hinges, creaking as the invisible fingers of the wind pulled at it gently. She was quiet on her feet, and walked slowly along the edge of the counters. Drawing nearer to the exit, she looked … Read more
The three expectant listeners at the table watched Jane as she rose from her chair, picked up a notepad and jotted down reminders. “What we’ll do,” she said with her pencil in the air, “first, we’ll go along with Margaret’s idea; and when we arrive in Portland, we’ll contact the local police.” Ted Hayden stirred … Read more
“Be very still-” Jane whispered to them. She blinked repeatedly in the darkness, straining to see her chums about her. Rising from her seat, she strode over to the window and pulled back a curtain; pouring a silvery haze of moonlight into the room which vaguely outlined the furniture. Margaret then felt her way to … Read more
“It was just like any other day,” Ted began, looking at them through weary eyelids, “I showed up for work at the jewelry store, surveyed the shop and kept watch. The owner had told me about a shipment some days prior, and I was to receive the parcels when they arrived. I had been informed … Read more
Jane looked up through her wet hair to glance down the tracks; the steady rhythmic sound of the train grew louder, and the light beamed brighter through the rain as it drew closer. She looked back at Ted Hayden who sat frantically pulling his leg, in an attempt to free his foot; his hands were … Read more
As Jane approached the man in the chair, he lifted his head and she let out a stifled cry of surprise. It wasn’t Zack after all, it was Ted Hayden! Jane recognized him from his photograph next to Trooper in the newspaper, as well as the man who was photographed in the same picture as … Read more
Jane froze, her gaze penetrating the shadowy environment, when she distinguished a tall figure standing behind the shed. A glint of silver moonlit on his facings revealed him to be the man who had been inside, sitting at the table. They took a few steps towards her, and her heart leapt into her throat. “Hey, … Read more
There, in the threshold of the door, stood a stunning German shepherd; with dark attentive ears and a methodical tail, slowly swaying back and forth. “Come here, boy.” Jane invited sweetly to the German shepherd, holding out her hand. “Is that you, Trooper?” The magnificent hound cocked his head to one side, before taking another … Read more
Jane was frantic, and for a few short seconds without air, she felt as though she were paralyzed with fear. To her surprise, she rose back to the surface without any resistance and gasped; seeing for the first time Josh’s amused face. “Josh!” Jane sputtered, and Margaret looked equally flustered from having been dunked below … Read more
The mysterious object on the floor took both Margaret and Jane by surprise, and they approached it in unison, pondering where it might have come from. On the carpet lay a scuffed and heavily used hammer; and Jane’s gaze turned towards the window, which was soon silently followed by her feet. Dislodging the tennis racket, … Read more
