Gabby & Titus

by Madeline
(Australia)

At two thirty in the morning, there were no parking places on Gabby's street. She had to park around the corner and walk to her old and worn down house.

She showered, rinsed out the dirty and torn witch's costume she'd worn to Ree Talmos halloween party, and was still too awake to sleep. In her nightgown and robe, she pulled out her suitcases and emptied her closet and drawers into them. Everything still fit. Since she'd moved out of her mother's house, she hadn't had the money to buy clothes.

While she packed, she made lists of things to do before leaving town. She'd have to store her dishes, TV, stereo, and microwave at her mother's. Everything else would fit in the car, which needed servicing. She could be in LA or maybe San Diego by the end of next week.
But every time the old house moaned or a board creaked, she could think of a thousand reasons why someone might be coming after her. She told herself not to listen to the noises.

As soon as it was late enough, she'd drive straight to her mothers, borrow the money she'd need, and hit the road. Everything else could be handled by phone or mail, leaving as little trace as possible.

She had started packing the contents of her desk and a few light housekeeping essentials into boxes when there was a thumping in the hall.
There shouldn't be anyone on her landing this time of night. Heart in mouth, she froze in the middle of the living room, eyelids peeled back so far her eyeballs felt cold.

The door handle moved.

Like a horror movie.

She pulled her robe around her and crept toward the door. "Who is it?"

A man's voice grunted.

With her hand on the door handle, she felt the strength of the one on the other side. She grabbed the telephone closer to the door and tapped in a number. "I'm calling the police!"
"It's Titus!" the voice groaned. "Gabby, please. Let me in!"

She dropped the phone and scrabbled at the locks on the door, fumbled to get the inside key into the lock, and finally yanked the door open. Titus had been slumped against the door, and as she opened it, his body fell with a big thump on the floorboards. She leaped back with a squeal. He had blood dripping off his face along with scratches over his body.

Quietly he mumbled ?May I please come in,? and instantly she was on her knees beside him.
"Titus can you move cause I don't think I can lift you."
"What are you doing here?"