Something's Down Here

Someone is following us

"Someone is following us."

"Your imagination is playing tricks on you again Della."

"Will you two shut up. We need to do this and we don't need to get caught down here."

"But I swear...."

"Della. Let it go."

Frank paused at the junction of two tunnels. After a moment he turned left. Della and Tony followed.

The stench of sewage clung to their nostrils. Della pressed her bandana closer to her face.

"Stop," Frank hissed.

They all paused. Della held her breath. She closed her eyes and listened. Could she hear muffled movements?

"Did we go the right way?" Tony whispered. the sound seemed to bounce off the walls around them.

"Shut up," Frank hissed back.

After a few more heartbeats Frank motioned with his flashlight for Della to come closer. "Can you fit up through that vent?"

"Maybe, if you lift me."

He nodded.

"Hey, I think I hear something." Tony whispered moving closer to them.

"Shut up, Tony," Frank said as he cupped his hands for Della and hefted her up. She wriggled through the opening enough to see a patch of light on the other side.

"I can see the street and the old Hawthorn house."

"Good, then we are going in the right direction."

A groan sounded through the darkness.

"Shit," Tony said bumping into Frank.

"GO. Meet us at the house. We'll find a way.... but go!" Frank shoved Della the rest of the way through the vent.

"But..."

"No, buts. Go!"

Della felt the space beneath her as she scrambled up and raced for the house.

The echo of the boys yells curled around her heart and chilled her to the bone. Would they all be able to make it or would that something get them first.


Word Count = 294 words.

Notes ▼

Written for Daily Flash Fiction "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
Prompt for 6/9
Write a story that includes the line: “Someone is following us.”