Five days before the storm

“I think this is the last one I have for you today,” the UPS package handler said as he sat a medium box down next to the door. “Have a nice day.”

“Thank you,” Emilee replied. “You too.” 

Emilee heard some childlike laughter down the block as she carried a couple boxes inside. The sound made her think of her childhood neighborhood.

“Ahh..” she believed it must’ve been a good omen because she was finally living her childhood dream.

When she came back out for more boxes, she noticed a little, oddly pale red-haired girl peeking behind the side of the building with curious eyes. Emilee kindly waved and smiled. The girl smiled back and disappeared behind the wall. 

***

Emilee spent the morning painting the walls and cleaning the cabinets in the back. She found a few dusty toys and stuffed animals in the back of one of the cabinets. 

“I wonder if Mr. Irwin had grandchildren. I don’t remember seeing a wedding ring or him mentioning anything about family,”  Emilee thought as she grabbed them. 

She put them on the counter. A few minutes later, she heard footsteps. 

“I thought I locked the doors…” 

“Jeremiah, is it you?”

There was no response, just footsteps. Emilee grabbed the nearest sharp tool and followed the noise. Her forehead furrowed when she realized there was nobody in the front. A stuffed bear from the pile disappeared too.

“I must be tired,” she thought.

“Are you the new owner?”

Emilee jumped again and dropped the tool. The voice was small but silvery. The red-haired girl was standing a few feet away from her. 

“Yes…How…I locked doors…” 

“Mr. Irwin always had a spare under a pot out back,” the girl answered. “I put it on the counter for you.”

The girl pointed to the gold key next to the toys. Her skin was so pale. It almost looked transparent against the white bear she was holding.

“Oh…Thanks,” Emilee responded. “Were you close to Mr. Irwin?”

“I was his favorite. He used to make me special chocolate shakes,” the girl smirked. “My name is Sally.” 

Emily got an eerie feeling, but she shook it off. 

“Nice to meet you, Sally. I’m Emilee. “You’re welcome to take all the toys.”

“I wish I could. I can’t take them where I am going.”

Before Emilee could respond, there was a knock on the front door. When she turned back, Sally was gone. All the toys were on the counter, including the white bear.

Emilee scratched her head in confusion and went to the door. It was Jeremiah.

“Hey. How is your day going?”

“Okay,” she said. “A little girl was just here. Did you see anybody walking up from the back?

“Oh, no,”  Jeremiah said.

Goosebumps slowly disappeared on Emilee’s freckled arms.    

***

Three days before the storm…

Emilee was testing out her new oven by baking some banana chocolate chip muffins. She set the timer and went to check out her potential candidates on Indeed.com.

“What in the…”

When Emilee came back to check on the muffins, there was a mess on the floor. All the flour from the bag was spilling onto the floor. There were small footsteps up to the bowl of leftover melted chocolate. Drips of chocolate ran down the bottom cabinets like drips of blood.

“Sally?! Are you in here again?” Emilee called out.

She heard no response or movement.

”Great…looks like I have a jokester on my hands,”  she murmured.

“I am not a jokester. I’m just trying to get your attention.“

Emilee stiffed up as she turned to Sally.

“Sally…sweetie, I really don’t have time…” she said. “I’m sure you have friends to play with.”

“I can’t play with or talk to my friends,” Sally frowned. “Nobody but you can see me.”

“Haha..nice one,” Emilee said. “Just go. I have work to do. “

“But…Watch this….”

Sally was about to levitate all the pans and pots, but Emilee raised her voice and stomped her foot.

“Sally, please go.’’

“You’re going to believe me sooner than later…”