Twins

Such a wonderful night

I always babysat on Saturday nights with the same family, and the same kids. But this night was different. The kids were sick. A new family just moved in with a young little boy. When they asked if I could babysit, I said yes spontaneously knowing that with this money I can get my first car. I knocked hesitantly on the door, but the parents opened it with cheerful smiles.

"We'll be back around twelve," the mother mentions as she pushes her husband out the door passed me. Sighing I turn to find the boy standing in front of me.

"Connor, right?" I ask as positively as I can. He nods happily as he plays with his hands in front of him.

"Come on!" Connor yells, as he rushes forward to grab my hand, "let's go play with James!" I pause, worry fills me as I think of one of his friends being over.

"Wait Connor!" I say pulling my hand away," who's James?" I bend down to his eyes level.

"My brother!" He answers happily. I stand back up, realizing that it is just a imaginary friend. He grabs my hand and tries to pull me again.

"Maybe later Connor," I say, again pulling my hand away. Suddenly I realize that I may have hurt him so I add," how about you go tell him all about me so we can be friends." Connor nods happily and runs upstairs. I smile in relief as I make my way to the couch. I let myself fall limply onto it. My phone begins to buzz with a new text. Pulling it out I read it.

"Hey Jen! You free?" My friend Sara asks. I roll my eyes and throw my phone beside me. My eyes slowly drift up the wall of the families brightly decorated room. My eyes begin to get heavy and slowly close just as I see a family portrait.

My body jumps awake as I feel my arm being shook. My eyes settle on Connor pulling on my arm. His has a smile on his face.

"Come on ,Jennifer lets play!" Connor insist as he tugs on my arm. I sigh, then put a smile on my face.

"Yeah,okay. Let's play," I say as I stand. I try to seem happy as Connor pulls harshly on my arm toward the stairs. Glancing to the side I watch as family portrait and family portrait goes by. In all of them they smile happily. As we make our way to the top of the stairs one picture catches my eye. Two babies play happily in a toy bin with pacifiers in their mouths. My foot catches on the stair, making me stop and stare at the picture.

"What is it?" Connor asks as he turns around.

"Who's this?" I ask pointing at the picture.

Connor smiles, "that is James!" Horror fills me as the memories sweep back into me. James Francer drowned three years ago while swimming with his twin brother. It was all over the news.

"Connor I'm so sor--," I start but the creak of a floor board from upstairs cuts me off. Without hesitation I grab Connor I sprint down the stairs. Connor kicks me in protest but I don't stop. Jumping behind the couch I set Connor down and grab my phone. I dial 911.

"Hello? Yes, there is an intruder in the house!" I whisper harshly into the phone. The boards creak louder as the figure makes its way to the top of the stairs. I listen to operator respond. The footsteps become louder as the figure comes down the stairs.

"Jen!" Connor whispers as he tugs my arm. I push him off as I try to listen to the phone. Connor grabs my phone from my ear and tosses it towards the stairs. I stare in shock at him as he smiles happily at me.

"Don't worry it's just James, he only wants a new friend." Connor says as he pulls out a bloody knife.