Page 53 of Trick or Stalk

I've been having trouble sleeping since Grandma died.

My entire life has changed.

My brain isn't exactly functioning at peak capacity.

I could've climbed up there, fixed it, and forgotten.

Except I didn't.

I know I didn't.

I look toward the woods. Everything is quiet. Still.

Even so, the afternoon suddenly feels colder.

“Penny.”

She immediately looks at me.

“Come here.”

She trots over.

I pick her up. Her warm little body presses against mine as I stare toward the trees.

I think about the strange things that have been happening lately. The feeling of being watched.

My gaze returns to the ghost.

“No.” I shake my head. I'm connecting things that probably have nothing to do with each other.

The movement was an animal.

The feeling at the coffee shop was paranoia.

Branches snap in the woods.

And wind moves Halloween decorations.

Four perfectly reasonable explanations.

I release a breath. “It’s fine.”

Penny licks my chin.

“Exactly. We're fine.”

I bend to grab the groceries, then still.

What if someone was here?

What if they came onto the porch?

The thoughts appear so suddenly that my heart kicks hard against my ribs.

I slowly straighten.

Someone could have walked up here while I was gone. Touched the decoration. Looked through the windows. Tried the door.