Fright!

  The air was cool but sweat beaded up on Ella’s forehead. The run up the multi flights of stairs was only partly to blame. Fear always caused her to sweat.  Thankfully, for now she seemed to be safe.

  The old loft was drafty and smelled of old wood and mildew. Darkness crowded in all around her as she felt her way across the worn floor. She needed to move slowly as to not cause more creaking than necessary. Not and easy feat on such a decaying surface.

  She was fairly certain she was not followed into the building. She also knew better than to assume anything. Assuming led to letting down her guard and she could not afford such a mistake. 

  When she reached a far corner she brushed aside the debris and sat with her back to the wall. She huddled with her arms hugging her knees to her chest. She’d wait here until at least daybreak. She rubbed her sleeve across her face and blinked trying to see anything in the blackness.

  Nothing.

  Silence.

  Then she heard it!

©Lizzy Bueckert