The House on Hayden Pond

by Jessica Monks

  Sam looked up into the open attic hatch as her smiling baby boy appeared. “Jack?” said Sam as she climbed up the shelves.

  Jack giggled with delight to see his mother. Sam reached up and brought him down, hugging him tightly. Paul hugged them both.

  Together again they went downstairs. The place was a disaster there was mud and splintered wood pieces everywhere.

  Hearing a familiar bark, Sam turned to the front door. “Kingston?” she called. A soaking wet Kingston bounded in from outside. He barked, excited to see the family.

  As Sam kissed his head she looked outside through the broken door. The sky was turning pink, welcoming the sun.

  Suddenly the whole house seemed to groan, and the noise of boards breaking started upstairs and moved towards them.

  “Let’s get out of here,” said Glenn.

  As they hurried out the front door they saw smoke billowing from the garage. The noise of the sirens grew louder as a police car pulled into the driveway.

  Paul held the ring in his hand looking it over. Sam took the ring from him and kissed it. Closing her eyes, she said, “Thank you, Thomas. We couldn’t have done it without you.” She knew none of them would have survived that night without Thomas, and she was thankful he kept her baby boy safe.

  The officer picked up her radio. “We have a Fire at 3 Hayden Pond Road. All available units please respond.”

  “Tell them to take their time,” said Paul to the rather perplexed officer.

  The flames quickly engulfed the roof of the house, and Sam knew there was no saving it. She smiled in relief—they had survived and the nightmare was over.

  The officer pointed to something over behind the garage. “Is he yours?” she said.

  Sam walked over and picked up Buttercream. “Yes he’s ours,” she said, hugging him. Sam was overcome with the feeling of gratitude to have every member of her family safe. Watching flames consume the house brought them peace.

  A cab pulled into the driveway and up to the house. Henry emerged and walked over to the family. He looked over them, covered in dry blood and looking like they had come through a war. “So it’s done is it?” he said to Sam as they watched the flames. She nodded, trying to grasp the terrible events of that night.

  “It’s done,” she replied. They stood for a moment in silence. “I’m going to go get the girls,” said Sam, walking away from the house. Carrying Jack, Paul turned and limped along behind her.

  As Henry stood looking at the burning house, he had the odd sensation that someone was staring at him. He looked into the woods but saw nothing. Turning back to the driveway he started walking to the cab.

  From deep in the woods, Edgar—blackened by soot and singed—peered out from behind a tree looking at the house before disappearing into the forest.

  Henry opened the door to his cab and looked back at the house. “Well, old friend, you can rest now, it’s done.” He nodded and climbed back into the cab. He felt warm in his heart. He knew no one would ever go back to that house on Hayden Pond.