Paul Bell

The Thing

 

The autumn leaves fell gently to the ground.

Covering the body like a blanket.

It lay undisturbed that way.

Sometimes the eyes would flicker.

Sensing the surroundings.

Waiting.

The children gathered for the annual Halloween party in the woods.

Mrs Banks gathered them round for the spooky story.

The evil Thing in the woods.

Legend has it she was explaining.

The eyes began to flicker.

Sensing new life.

Mrs Banks could see the children were really getting into the story.

Their little eyes were transfixed on her.

Transfixed on the thing behind her.

Mrs Banks never finished the story.

The children tried to explain.

The story about the Thing.

In the woods.

They never found Mrs Banks.

Not even a track of her.

It was like she never existed.

The book lay on the ground.

Now and again.

When the wind blew.

The pages would make that flickering sound.

Always stopping at.

Legend has it.