Stranger Things Have Happened (Elvis Presley story)

Chapter 22

I can't go out there.

I have been standing at my door for probably going on half an hour. My hand is on the doorknob, but I can't bring myself to go outside. I've been like this since last night, petrified of leaving my room. I'm surprised I even got any sleep last night. All I could think about was what I am going to do. What if I see him? That would be just my luck. What do I say if I do see him? Oh, sorry I nearly assaulted you then practically ran screaming from your room?

I haven't heard anything outside my door for awhile, so I'm pretty sure the hallway is clear. But I still stand here, glued to the floor. Closing my eyes, I take in a deep breath grouch my nose and exhale slowly through my mouth. I'm pretty sure I can make it downstairs without anyone seeing me, but once I'm down there, it's nearly impossible that I would remain unnoticed. There are too many people milling around this house to be invisible.

Finally, I decide to just make a break for it. Turning my doorknob, I push my door open just wide enough for me to slip out before closing it quietly behind me. The hallway is empty, just as I suspected. But as I slowly creep toward the staircase I can hear voices downstairs. Crap. I can't tell who they belong to, but they make me stop in my tracks. I nearly turn around and bolt back to my room, but I force myself to keep going.

Reaching the staircase I begin to descend it, taking each stair at a snails pace, making no sound at all. Reaching the bottom, I let out a small breath of relief. But as I take my next step forward, somebody turns the corner from the dining room, causing me to run directly into them. Since I'm on such high alert as it is, I scream and flinch back so much that I fall backwards, my ass colliding with the floor. Looking up, I see a very shocked Jerry staring down at me, a bewildered expression on his face.

"Are you okay?" He blurts out, laughing. I feel my cheeks get warm with embarrassment.

"Um, uh, yeah," I stutter. That just makes Jerry laugh even harder. Shaking his head, he reaches his hand down to me.

"Here, let me help you up," he offers. But before I can do anything, a voice paralyzes me.

"Is that Anna?" Elvis calls out loudly from somewhere in the house behind me. I hear his footsteps approaching us. Without any hesitation, I jump up to my feet and slip past Jerry. Running toward the front door, I catch a glimpse of Elvis marching down the hall directly toward me. He calls out my name but I ignore it. Instead, I slip outside and run down the front steps.

I am barefoot and I don't know where I'm intending on going, but hearing Elvis come out behind me, I just start running. Sadly though, I only make it halfway around the side of the house before I am stopped by a large hand grabbing me by the upper arm and pulling me back. I manage to yank free but can only take a few more steps before he grabs me again. Flailing, I let out a shriek as he struggles to get me under control. I eventually give up when he wraps me in a bear hug from behind, pinning my arms down.

"There, you win. Will you let go of me now?" I puff out exasperatedly. Hearing him sigh, I feel his arms fall away. Biting the inside of my cheek, I take a step forward before turning around to face him.

"What the hell has gotten into you?" He asks, crossing his arms across his chest. I just roll my eyes and let out a frustrated breath.