Won a Silver Key in the Scholastic Arts & Writing Contest 2017
“John…?” Emily called as she stepped into the apartment. She wrenched the keys from the faulty lock in the door and cursed when the action caused the takeout bag in her hand to slip. God, they needed to move. Striding across the room she dumped the food and keys on the counter and ran a hand through her hair. What was taking him so long?
“John?”
No answer.
Emily sighed dejectedly and stomped through the halls. She knew he was home for sure- he never left, and if she was going to keep working her ass off to support them both, they were going to have a family dinner; whether he liked it or not. Nearing the door, her hand flew to her nose when she caught scent of a downright pungent smell. Yet, the almost imperceptible trail of blood failed to be noticed in the afternoon light.
“What the hell has he been doing?” Emily whispered to herself, nose pinched in disgust. The smell was unbearable. She tried the handle only to find it locked. Weird. He must’ve fell asleep mid-experiment- after all he could afford to sleep thanks to her hard work. The thought only furthered her annoyance.
“John wake up- and open the door for god’s sake or else I’m busting it down!” The threat was met with silence.
Irritation reigning, she rattled the knob a couple more times, and gritted her teeth before turning around to lean back against it. The food no doubt was cold by now. Leave it up to him to make her wait for everything. The clock on the wall was mocking. 9:15. Oh, this door was coming down, and fast.
However, before the door could become victim to her indispensable anger, an audible click was heard, and the door flew wide open- Emily tumbling in after it. Her hair fanned her face in a curtain of black, obstructing her view from the dark room. The smell only seemed to get stronger. Grumbling, she sat up, and pawed at the wall before flicking on the light switch to wake up John, and to find out what smelled so terrible.
Lights illuminating the room, she barely had time to register the sight before she screamed.
Blood. Blood everywhere.
They wouldn’t be having dinner tonight.