She could hear them living all through the house.

Writing Club Exercise

Jan 17 2012

Prompt: “She could hear them living all through the house.”

I think we had 10-15 minutes to respond to this one.  I haven't quite decided where to take it.  It didn't help that mid writing, my computer shut down and I lost what I had originally written.  It definitely pays to save your work intermittently. 

   Rats, she hated rats.  Gnawing, scampering beneath the floor boards, behind the walls.  One step had sent the entire village into motion.  As the floorboard creaked below her, the patter of a thousand feet broke out across the floor.  Sarah shuddered as one sought sanctuary beneath the faded red chaise lounge, its small hairless tail protruding defiantly in protest to the intrusion. 

   The small beady eyes seemed to stare back at her from all the dark corners of the large, drafty foyer no matter what direction she looked.  It had to be her imagination.  Would the filthy little beasts really stick around to keep her company?  She stepped forward from the threshold onto the threadbare doormat.  A puff of dust gusted up making her eyes water.  So much for her makeup, she could feel the mascara running down her cheek.

  What else was new?  She knew as soon as she had laid eyes on place that her inheritance was worthless.  It would cost more to make the house livable than the place was worth.  Old Aunt Ida couldn’t have left her some bonds or even a few furs and some pearls.  At least the old crone could have picked up a broom once and a while. 

   It hadn’t stopped Sarah from gingerly pushing the rusty gate open and heading down the weedy cobblestone walkway her two-inch heels clicking along all the way.  Now curiosity turned to sheer disgust as her eyes scanned the mess before her.  Tattered curtains shifted gracefully on the breathe of fresh air from the open door behind her.  Was it the cool air that made the hair on her neck stand on end?  A shiver ran down her spine. 

   The sun was setting now, the warm light sinking below the horizon. With a sudden gust of icy air the wooden door slammed shut behind her.  Sarah nearly jumped out of her skin.  Her eyes were wide open now.  Panic over took her for a moment.  She spun around, groping for the brass knob in the dwindling light.  Finally grasping it, she frantically attempted to turn it.  Finding it wouldn’t budge, she gave it a rough twist with both hands.  She gasped as with a snap it came off in her hands.   Just as the light left the room quick as a candle snuff, a cold hand settled upon her shoulder.