I played sick so I wouldn't have to go to church. After waiting long enough made my way down the carpeted stairs. I was sleepy wearing only my bed shirt and panties. I was at the landing before I knew it and a strange man and woman were staring at me.
I wasn't sure what was going on. They reminded me of electricians. The man gestured absently to a woman.
"I can't stop now."
That's when I realized these people weren't supposed to be here. Burglars!
Oh shit.
Panicked, I bolted. The third member of their crew, behind me, grabbed my arm. His grip slipped, but I tripped on the stairs. The carpet kept me from getting a concussion.
"Asshole."
The woman said that as she helped me up. Her hair was a shiny asian-black, but she wasn't asian looking at all. She hooked her arm into mine and led me upstairs with a smile. I had the mother-in-law suite, perfect for college Freshman.
"You've got the whole upstairs to yourself, nice." She said, "First aid kit in your bathroom?"
I nodded. I must have looked spooked. I was, but bonking my head jumbled my thoughts including my fight-flight reflexes. My forehead had a little cut on it and I watched her face intently while she cleaned and bandaged my wound. There was a sliver of wood or glass and she removed it without hurting. She could have been a nurse.
"What are you doing in my house?"
"Doing some work that needs time and space." She said, "Not getting caught by girls skipping church."
"Are you going to kidnap me?"
"Do I need to?" She said, "We're not thieves. Maybe you can pretend we were never here."
I'd been staring at this woman for ten minutes, but it didn't take until this moment. She was older than me--somewhere between college-aged and being a mom. Her hair framed her face in a way that brought out her eyes. I assumed she was lying to keep me from escaping or calling the police. My cell phone was in my bedroom.
"Pretend? You mean just go back to bed?"
I tried to sound innocent. She looked me over and rubbed her chin.
Maybe I sold it?