Ninteen
1249 Words
A couple days had passed since the incident and there was still no solid proof that anyone was out in the yard. Grayson was still taking my word for it, but I could see in his eyes that he was becoming uncertain. I know what I saw, and it wasn’t my imagination even if everyone else seemed to think so.
The nights were the worst. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him standing behind the tree, watching me. It wasn’t any better when my eyes were open. Every shadow and creak felt like it was him.
Grayson quickly figured out I was still on edge and so he had snuck into my room over the past couple days, staying with me until I fell asleep.
I had been staying away from the windows as much as possible and even now, as I currently read my book in my room, I was sitting in the armchair, away from the window. Every now and again, my gaze would flick to the teddy bear sitting at the window, untouched.
“Good morning, dear!” Eden sang, walking into the room. I pulled my gaze away from the book in my hands. “I brought you some coffee.” She sets the tray down on the ottoman next to the armchair, turning to me with a smile.
“Thank you, Eden.”
“I also brought some cream and sugar. I wasn’t sure how you like it.”
“Thank you,” I say again, reaching for the cream to pour into my coffee. I add a couple of sugar cubes to the cup. “You didn’t have to do this.”
She waves me off. “I noticed you didn’t come down for breakfast this morning.”
I brought the cup up to my lips. “I, um, decided to sleep in today.”
She smiles and nods. “Of course. Let me know if you need anything else,” she says, before leaving.
Not even a minute later, Vern comes strolling in through the door, a bright smile on her face. “Juliette! I missed you at breakfast. What happened?” she asks, throwing herself down onto my bed.
“I just decided to sleep in today.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
I can’t help it, my gaze flickers to the teddy bear.
Vern rolls onto her side, propping herself up with one arm. “So, how are you?”
I glance at her, brows furrowing in confusion. “I’m good,” I say. “How are you?”
She shrugs one shoulder. “Bored, but other than that, I’m good.”
I nod, my gaze falling once again on the bear. “That’s good.”
She clears her throat. “Right. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I throw her a questioning look.
She sighs. “Alright, I’ll be honest. I heard about what happened the other day and I was just checking up on you.”
“I’m ok, just a little anxious at the moment.”
She nods. “You know, I don’t think you have much to worry about.”
“What do you mean?”
She lays back, lacing her fingers behind her head as she rests. “If the person did come into the yard that one day, I highly doubt they’ll come back a second time.”
“If they came once, what’s to stop them from coming again?” I rebuttal.
“I’m not saying they won’t, I’m just saying it’s unlikely.”
I huff.
Vern sits up. “Look, I’m not doubting you or what you saw, but don’t you think it’s odd that there were no traces of a person being in the yard at all?”
“Of course, I find it odd, but I didn’t imagine it.” I get up from my chair, stomping over to the teddy bear. “Someone came into my room and took this from me,” I say, waving the bear. “And then after I see someone in the yard and come back into my room, the bear is sitting there.” I point to the window seat.
Vern is surprised, her eyes flicking back and forth between me and the bear. She closes her eyes and shakes her head, collecting her thoughts. “Does anyone else know about this?”
“No.”
“Not even Grayson?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t told anyone.”
She gets up from the bed, quickly rushing over to me. she plucks the bear from my hands and inspects it. “So, weird,” she mumbles to herself. “There’s nothing on it. I can’t even pick up a scent.”
Before I even have a chance to reply, Grayson barges in through the door. Vern quickly hides the bear behind her back.
The look on Grayson’s face makes me worried.
“It’s Sydney.”
I can barely keep up with Vern and Grayson as we rush to the back house. Grayson doesn’t bother with knocking, instead he barges in, holding the door open for me and Vern.
Rebecca and Sterling are already in the living room, sitting at the couch, waiting. I glance around the room for Jensen but figure he’s probably already in the room with Sydney.
“What’s going on?” I ask no one in particular.
Rebecca glances nervously at Sterling. From the corner of my eye, I see Vern slide into one of the worn-out armchairs.
“We don’t know,” Rebecca answers, dropping her gaze.
I take a seat in the last armchair across from Rebecca and Sterling. Grayson follows, taking a seat on the arm of the chair. I lean into him, my hands tightly clasped in my lap and my eyes on the door.
The silence makes me grow more anxious. The waiting makes my leg bounce up and down in anticipation.
Then the door opens and out steps Dr. Schultz. Everyone gets up on their feet.
“Morning everyone,” she says, exhausted.
I took a long look at her. This was the first time I was meeting Dr. Shultz. Her clothes were rumpled, and her hair was falling out of its bun on the top of her head.
Rebecca is the first to speak.
“Is everything alright?”
Dr. Schultz takes off her glasses and cleans them with her sleeve. I notice how bloodshot her eyes are.
“I’m afraid not,” she says, putting her glasses back on. The doctor clears her throat, preparing for what she was about to say next. “Sydney had a miscarriage last night.”
I gasp, turning to look at Grayson but his eyes are on the doctor.
“How is she?” I hear Rebecca ask.
“Better now. She’s resting at the moment.”
“And Jensen?”
I fix my gaze on the doctor, waiting for her answer.
“He’s…” she hesitates. “He’s dealing with it.”
Rebecca can do nothing more but nod and say, “Thanks, Doctor.”
“Of course.”
I turn around, resting my forehead on Grayson’s chest.
“Sydney wants to speak with you, Juliette.”
I turn back to the doctor. “Right now?”
The doctor nods, stepping away from the door.
I make my way across the room, stopping at the door. I take a deep breath before stepping inside.
- Writer
