Security Tethered To a Key

Giggles
   float
        through
 rooms
                chasing
 night
     sounds
 from
        window
 panes.

Secure behind unlocked doors
young sisters chatter as sisters do
and have no thoughts unnerving waits
to go bump in the night.

Suddenly being alone loses its charm
when the unknown opens the front door
and remains mum when asked,
“Mom and dad are you home?”

Owl eyed with terror they listen
to heavy breathing frost safe with fear.
Caught between familiar and shadows
they wait for darkness to surrender its beast.

Revelation escapes through the same door
a nightmare entered leaving nothing behind
but a hurried goodbye of metal chain tapping silent glass.

Pep talking weakness into action the sisters
walk to the front door pushing its lock
to keep out what shouldn’t be let in.

Hours later a knock announces the parents’ return
and a harried question, “Whatever possessed you
to lock the front door?”

Security is now tethered to a key.


©Susie Clevenger 2014

This is a true story. My youngest sister and I were alone in a bedroom talking and giggling when we heard the front door of our house open and someone step inside. We immediately asked if it was our parents, but the only answer was the sound of heavy breathing. Terrified and frozen in place we waited for whoever it was to find us. After what seemed like forever we heard the front door open, then close leaving the chain on it rattling against the glass. We never found out who it was. 




Comments

Herotomost said…
Oh my...that would be about as scary as it gets. Would have been interesting to see who it was, someone you knew or not. I would have been creeped out for the rest of eternity. I love your trips down memory lane, or should I call them Dirt Road Dreams...lol. Thanks for writing on the challenge Susie, much appreciated.
Kerry O'Connor said…
That is a very scary thing to happen to young girls alone at home. I'm glad it had a happy (if unexplained) ending.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I can see the young girls, hear the breathing, feel the fear. Well done, Susie. Am glad he retreated. Yikes. I like "to keep out what shouldnt be let in."
Vandana Sharma said…
This is indeed very scary, but glad both of you were safe and sound.
brudberg said…
How scary.. I probably imagined things like that a thousand times.. running over the street to neighbors but never never anything real
Sreeja said…
So scary....loved the way you put them in words....
Anonymous said…
suh-POOK-ee! ~
Jim said…
That was scary reading, Susie. My sister and I used to sneak listen to Inner Sanctum Mystery shows when Mom and Dad would go out. That was very scary for us.
..
Stacy M.S. said…
oh wow, what a story!

love the last line, really sums up the atmosphere.


stacy lynn mar
http://warningthestars.blogspot.com/
Marian said…
eeeeek! scary!