Oh, Marcel!

Standing In The Middle Of The Empty Hallway

~Marcel~

The covers flung off of me and my eyes snapped open adjusting to the dark. The light turned on as soon as I hit the switch revealing a sleep walking Mrs.Slovak.

She was settling herself into the bed across from mine, with MY covers. I heard about not waking sleep walkers so I figured it would be better to just grab a blanket from the closet. Maybe it was better if I didn't sleep in my room either.

Leeroy the turtle seemed to be sound asleep in his tank so I figured he would be okay without me. I hope Mrs. Slovak wouldn't bother him.

The dark air swarmed around me as I took myself, my phone and both of my two pillows out with me to the couch. A soft light glowed from the kitchen. Normally it would be dark in there.

You better check Marcel.

Walking towards the kitchen, I could hear then hum of the refrigerator running. Once I got in, I could see that both doors had been left wide open, a few things strewn about on the kitchen floor. Mrs. Slovak must have been hungry.

At least I hope it was her.

I was never one to believe in the paranormal, but you never know.

I collected the things off the floor, first the empty milk carton and then the cheese sticks. There was at least two opened packages, one bite taken out of each piece. I shook my head and put the unopened ones back in the fridge and shut the door.

After throwing away the trash, I went to the blanket closet and grabbed out two. I knew I would get cold because I was sleeping directly under the fan.

Normally I would just turn it off. But we have high ceilings and the fan switch broke a long time ago. So it has just been spinning away up there. I just settled into the couch and tried to fall asleep.

But I lay there on my back with my hands folded across my chest, thinking.

How am I going to tell Ember? I nearly chickened out tonight even. Once I had gotten off the phone, I was almost relieved that I hadn't told her.

Should I have just talked over her and told her anyway?

These thoughts swam around and around in my head before my eyes finally closed and I drifted off to sleep.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"Marcel! What are you doing out here?" Mrs. Slovak's voice rang in my ears startling me from my slumber.

"I-I was just, I don't k-know." I stuttered trying to get up quickly.

"Well get up and get dressed, I've laid out your clothes on your bed. Once your done, meet me in the car. You're going to be late to school today seeing as neither of us woke up on time." She snaps and walks toward the kitchen. In a minute she's back with a granola bar.

"Might as well have some breakfast." The granola bar is tossed at me. I make no attempt to catch it and it just bounces off my chest and lands in my lap.

Sighing, I grab it and the covers and walk to my room. There on my bed is my clothes. Another dreary vest, long sleeve shirt and khakis. I need to take a quick shower so I grab everything off my bed and stuff it under my arm. I figure I need to grab some underwear, but as I pick up my things a pair is left on the bed.

Mrs.Slovak has been in my underwear drawer?

She never did that before. That's just awkward.

Something was seriously wrong with her. I needed to talk to her about it too. But I couldn't do that to the old woman. I just couldn't.