The Haunted Traveler Vol. 1 Issue 1

74
Stella held her fast.
Irene’s father refused to look at his son’s body. Instead he
grabbed her mother’s arm. “For God’s sake, Harriet, you’re
scaring the children. Now I’m warning you to be still.”
Her mother jerked away and reached to gather Norman in
her arms. “He’s warm,” she said, her hand pressed to the back
of Norman’s head. She whirled to look at Russell. “Go get the
doctor,” she ordered.
Russell shifted from one foot to the other, his mouth hanging
open. Before he could decide whether to obey the command,
Irene’s father grabbed hold of Norman’s body. Irene
watched in horror as her parents fought over the limp form,
her father pulling on Norman’s right leg, while her mother
yanked hard on Norman’s hands. Stella and Agnes both
screamed, and Irene drew closer to Russell.
When her father realized he wouldn’t win this battle, he
released the boy and delivered a stinging slap to his wife’s
face. Stunned, Irene’s mother loosened her grip on Norman.
Russell lunged forward to catch the body.
“Take him out of here,” Irene’s father shouted. Russell disappeared
outside, holding Norman in his arms.
“Russell!” her mother shrieked. “Bring him back to me!
He’s still alive.” Tears of helpless fury popped into her eyes.
Irene’s father turned on Stella and Agnes. “Quiet,” he
barked. When they didn’t stop screaming, he held up a
threatening hand, and they fell silent. “Go on to bed,” he told
them. They both jumped from the bench and ran sniffling toward
the back room.
Irene’s mother dropped to the floor, banging her fists
against the wooden boards as an inhuman caterwaul escaped
her. She sat up and tore at her hair, ripping the long graying
strands out in handfuls.
Irene choked on her swallowed tears. Her father snapped
his head in her direction, and his eyes narrowed in contempt.
She bolted outside and braced herself against the rickety
porch railing, allowing her cries to gush forth. The chilly