"What are you talking about?
What the hell is wrong with you?"
Byron stood up and matched her angry gaze.
"Keep your voice down, Janet.
In case you haven't noticed, cops are running around everywhere.
Tell me, have you even looked into that little clubhouse the brats have going on?"
She blinked in surprise at the question.
"N-No."
Byron smirked.
"You might want to take a peek.
And with that, I will take my leave."
He was nearly to the sidewalk, carrying his cup, when he spun mid-stride.
"Oh, Janet, one more thing."
He pointed to the church.
"You might want to stay away from there.
Lot of bad shit in there, maybe even worse than me.
Maybe."
Janet watched him walk down the street.
He casually tossed his cup in the air, like it was a tennis ball, before catching it.
He didn't look back, didn't wave.
Slowly, he grew smaller until she could no long see him.
She took a deep breath as she looked across the grass.
The suitcase felt heavier than she would have thought.
Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mark were sitting in a row.
Their conversation was a mystery, but they seemed to be in slightly better spirits as she approached.
Mark was solemn, but smiled once.
Sarah had her arm around his shoulders, and Elizabeth talked nonstop.
If there were any doubts about her children's character, it vanished immediately when Sarah kissed Mark on the cheek and reached out to hug her sister.
Sarah and Elizabeth were good kids.
Janet didn't care what Byron thought about them.
Byron had already proven over the course of the day that whatever he'd evolved into, he'd lost touch with humanity long ago.
"Mom," Sarah said.
"Mark's dad won't be home for a while.
The police are going to try to call him, but can he stay with us tonight?"
Janet hesitated, and guilt gnawed at her.
Mark's family was broken, just like hers.
She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to look at Mark again without seeing his mother, Mary, dressed in a robe, wanting to summon something dark.
"Sure," she forced herself to say.
Elizabeth reached for her mother's hand.
"Is Daddy going to get better?"
A lumped formed in Janet's throat.
"I-I think so, baby."
She wasn't even sure if she was lying.
"We're going to do everything we can to help him."
Her eyes teared over at the thought of the house without Ed in it.
Sarah hugged her mother around the waist.
The simple gesture filled her with strength and hope.
"Don't worry, Mom.
We'll be okay."
Janet smiled and blinked away the tears.
"Yes.
Yes, we will be.
Let's go home."
It's time for a new "About The Author". :) I like to write. I've been telling stories since I was child, writing some terrible stuff. But the imagination was there, and I'd like to think the writing has finally caught up with it. I like to either do my best to create something new, or take an old idea and put my own spin on it. That's why there are works with a human that can live with zombies, or an interesting universe full of the supernatural.
I hope you've enjoyed the short story Broken Home. Short stories aren't something I usually write, but the Damned and Cursed universe is full of potential tales out there, both long and short. For those who are familiar with that universe, I'm sure you picked up on who Byron really was, along with maybe some of the other characters. :) Stop by my website to discuss anything you want.
Visit my website at http://www.glennbullion.com
Total works by Glenn Bullion:
Demonspawn
Dead Living
Mind Slide
A Witch to Live
Jack Kursed
Soul Insurance
Demon's Doorway
Witch's Kurse
Broken Home