Nightmares

The Johnsones 2

I shivered a little and closed the door tightly. The morning dragged on, only a couple of calls. One had the wrong number and the other wanted the full package for June. Around noon, I went across the street to the grocery store to pick up lunch. Today there were wraps and a drink for 5$ not bad. Every day they had a different special. It was convenient, carrying my wraps and hurrying to the counter

I turned the corner and SMACK wraps went flying. My bottle of water bounced out of my hand and onto the floor along with me. "Damn it." I mumbled, I looked up and there stood a 6 ft 2. brick wall of a man, piercing green eyes and black hair. Clean cut wearing a suit with what looked like a kale smoothie dripping down his chest, and from what I could see and from what I felt before I crashed to the floor, it was a very nice chest indeed. I couldn't help but giggle a bit. "Uh sorry," I said.

"WHAT THE HELL! Look where you're going, for god's sake! And are you laughing?" and with that the fantasy had ended! "I could say the same buddy! And yeah it's a bit funny." I scrambled off the floor and picked up my stuff and stood facing the big oaf. I thought I might say a few more things, but instead I turned and walked away. Cheeks on fire, I stood at the counter and put my lunch on the conveyor. "5$, Rose." I handed her a bill "Thanks, see ya!" I walked across the street and unlocked the door and sat at my desk. I watched as the guy exited the store still wiping his shirt off. I giggled, he got into a Benz and sped off! "Jerk." The rest of the afternoon went by quickly, a couple more calls and that was the day. I locked the door and headed home.

It was a nicer afternoon than the other day, not a cloud in sight, the wind was a little cooler, the yellow and red leaves were raining down off the trees whenever the tree branches wavered just a little. I pulled my jacket closer and listened to Be Alright by Dean Lewis. Music seemed to always calm me, just the flow. I could see the environment move with the music. Somehow, everything seemed easier when music was playing.

When I got to the Johnson's, it was quieter than usual. The house looked at peace, almost empty. I unlocked the door and fluffy came running. Her face was red from something she had been eating. "Fluffy did you get into the berries again?"

She leaped into my arms once again, bashing into my chest, knocking me back a couple feet, wiping whatever jam she had gotten on her all over my coat. "What's all over your face, huh? Ms. Johnson? You here?" I shouted and I walked into the kitchen. No one was standing there. The cookies were in the same place as last night. Poor Ms. Johnson, she must be upset today.

I left the kitchen and grabbed the leash. Then I saw her, still sitting in the old floral rocker she was in when I left last night, still covered with the blanket I had put on.

Her eyes wide open and soulless and her mouth hanging open, her face greying with death. Her right leg was hanging out of the blanket, it was ripped apart, showing the bone. Pieces of gristle were lying around the floor half chewed. My stomach heaved and the smell finally hit me. I bent down and dropped Fluffy to the floor. When I looked down at her, I realized what she had all over her face.

"Oh my god fluffy!" I stumbled back and pulled my cell out of my back pocket and called 911. When the police and ambulance showed up, I was waiting outside with fluffy,but as soon as the small dog heard the sirens she took off in a blaze of glory. The paramedic walked over, they asked where the body was and I pointed towards the living room. I looked around sullen, hoping to see the little fur ball. I couldn't just abandon her. She would have to come home with me.

A police officer came over his name tag said Jones "Hi Miss." I looked up "Rose." I replied "What?" he looked confused "My name is Rose." Wow and this guy is a cop? "Oh ok, well were going to have to take the dog. Run some tests." I nodded. "Oh ok, she ran around back." I felt very dazed, it was weird. I was just talking to her last night and I know I saw her this morning pacing around. Officer Jones walked around to the back of the house and called for the dog. It didn't come. "Fluffy?" I yelled. She didn't come. She always comes to me. "Well, if you see her please bring her in." I nodded, "Ok I will." "Do you know any of her family?" "No, not really. Her husband died a few years back. She has a son but I don't know him. I think he lives in Chicago." "Ok, thank you. You can go then." "Thanks." I started to walk away to hunt for the dog but when the paramedic came out, wheeling Ms. Johnson on the gurney. I thought I heard him tell officer Jones that the woman had died days ago and that there was a dead dog in one of the rooms matching the description of the one missing. "But I had just seen the dog." He said "It was sitting on the porch with the girl?" "Well this is Ghost Hollow. Might as well be ghost dogs too." He replied with a chuckle. My stomach dropped.

No, they must be wrong. I must have heard that completely wrong. There's no way. I was just talking to her last night and I swear there was someone there this morning too. I didn't want to be wrong about this, but I was not sticking around to verify this for sure because he was right. Well, my whole life just got a bit more complicated and I didn't need that! First haunting dreams, now actual ghost hauntings.

The rest of the week crawled by until the day I had to leave for the sleep study, I couldn't stop thinking about Ms. Johnson and Fluffy.

I put my helmet on and rode my bike to the train station, parked it where it would be safe until I got back. I boarded the train, which of course was late. There were 7 stops before getting to the nearest airport. The ride was quiet, there weren't many people on the train at this time of night.

My flight was the red eye and there was no way I would be sleeping on board a plane. I would be drinking a lot of coffee before boarding. The train ride didn't last as long as I thought it would, which was nice. I couldn't wait to get to the hotel already and I pretty much just left Ghost Hollow. Then again, traveling has never been my strong suit.