The Haunted Traveler December 2017 Edition

“I’m not getting out,” Margo said quickly.
They stared at the building, all of them inexplicably uncomfortable. A rusted iron
roof perched on top of long, horizontal weatherboards. No windows, just wooden
steps, worn and bowed from the weight of countless weary feet that led to a door made
of planks no longer in strict alignment. Above the door, a ring of barbed wire hugged
the structure and stretched from one side to the other.
“What an odd place,” Kathy said.
Liz unbuckled her seatbelt. “I’ll be real quick and then we’ll head home.” She lifted
the pump handle and heard the reassuring sounds of petrol streaming through the hose
into the car’s tank. She gave Kathy a thumb’s up and tapped on Margo’s window.
“I don’t need to go any more.”
“Come on, now,” Kathy said. “We’ve got another long drive ahead of us.”
“I don’t want to go in there.”
Liz placed the hose back on the pump. “You and I’ll run in and then we’ll head home.
It’ll feel good to stretch your legs.”
“Go on, Margo,” Kathy said.
Margo scowled and got out of the car.
“What about you, Jenny?”
Jenny shook her head. “I’m good.”
Liz and Margo walked away from the car. Jenny watched the building lean toward
them just a fraction. “That’s impossible,” she whispered.
“What was that?” Kathy asked.
“Nothing.” Jenny studied the corners of the building where the iron roof peered
over the windowless wooden frame. Jenny was certain the building had shifted its stance
slightly. “This place is creepy.” She watched her mom and Margo walk up the stairs,
open the door and step inside. The door banged shut behind them.
Kathy touched up her makeup in the rear view mirror. “This was a flop, wasn’t it?”
She dabbed at the sweat forming on her forehead. “It sure is hot.” She looked at the
building and watched for the door to open. She didn’t like that ring of barbed wire.
“Very disconcerting,” she muttered and looked at her watch. “Maybe they’re chatting
with the person behind the counter. You know how your mother can be? She can talk
to just about anyone.” Kathy laughed then, a little too loudly and for a little too long.
“I’m sure the people out here hardly ever get anyone passing through. Bet they just love
a good catch-up.” She checked her face in the mirror again. “I think I’ll go in. Hurry
them along.”
Jenny didn’t want to be left alone but she didn’t want Kathy to think she was afraid
either so she kept quiet.
“Okay, sweetie?”
Jenny nodded. Her heart began to beat faster.
“I’ll just be two ticks.”
15