Babysitting at Midnight

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month's prompt is: you are home alone watching TV. The phone rings.

Today's prompt comes to us from Val Muller, author of the kidlit mystery series Corgi Capers.

 

Babysitting at Midnight

by Val Muller

 It was good money, but it sure was creepy babysitting past midnight. There was just something about the Ponds' house, mostly the creepy grandfather clock in the dining room whose chime rebounded across the whole house. And something about the clock striking midnight made it worse.

The lighting in the house was dark, and dark by design. The walls were all shades of purple or stormy gray. Ellie supposed it was calming for the Ponds, but in an unfamiliar house, it seemed less so.

Ellie was not a fan of TV, and she flipped mindlessly through the channels, looking for something to distract her. The Ponds would be gone for at least another hour. They said she could fall asleep on the couch, but the idea of them finding her asleep on their couch was even more frightening than the house.

Still, it was basically free money, sitting here while the Pond kids slept. What would Ellie be doing at home? She would have finished her homework by now. But here, she didn't feel

comfortable spreading everything out, so it was still in her backpack, untouched. She was halfway to convincing herself to attempt it when the phone rang.

Who would be calling the Pond's home phone at this hour except the Ponds. They were probably calling to check in or to update their arrival time.

"Hello?" she answered, trying to sound professional.

"I know what you did last summer," a gruff voice grunted.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me..." The voice breathed heavily. "Are you alone in the house?"

Frantically, Ellie searched for her cell phone, ready to call 911 before the deep voice broke into familiar laughter.

"Grace! I almost called the cops on you. Not funny!" Ellie took a few deep breaths while her best friend let out the last of the giggles. "Anyway, you called so late. How do you know you weren't gonna wake the Ponds?"

Grace giggled again. "I was babysitting right next door. The Martins mentioned you were over here when they returned. Thought I might keep you company."

Ellie sighed relief and hurried to the door to let in her friend.

*

The creepy clock struck 1. Grace and Ellie wondered about their decision to watch a horror movie on such a night. The Ponds were really late tonight. "I wonder when they'll be back," Ellie mused.

Grace shrugged.

Then the phone rang.

 

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The Spot Writers—Our Members:

Val Muller: http://valmuller.com/blog/

Catherine A. MacKenzie: https://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

Phil Yeats: https://alankemisterauthor.wordpress.com

Chiara De Giorgi: https://chiaradegiorgi.blogspot.com/