Chosen Ones

Tod and I pulled in front of the Matchbox Inn weary from traveling; aware it would be a few more days before our home was ready to move into, needing a few touch-ups as owner called it. Yet, so excited for a new chapter in a quaint little town. The Inn is at best a two-star motel, yet it's the only thing offered in the town as far as lodging accommodations. All of our things are in storage ready for transport when home becomes available.

Matchbox Inn a dingy motel lacking a good coat of paint. Containing only an old box tv with rabbit ears, and a full bed with ugly bedspread and thin pillows.

Walking into the nearby cafe, it went quiet, the few customers stop their conversation to stare at me a long, uncomfortable minute. Noticing one of the men staring pointedly at waitress as if a conversation took place between the two of them, without uttering a word. I tried to tamp down my unease as the heavy-set middle-aged woman asked, "What can I get for you?" her voice grainy and seemed more masculine than feminine.

I strode over to counter where she bore an annoying dark mustache, not incredible full yet enough to draw my eyes awkwardly, though I try hard to resist.

"I-I- need just a moment to look at your menu. Ma'am." Last word felt forced as I think I was almost afraid I would guess the gender incorrectly.

" I'll be in the back." She said gruffly.

My eyes glanced to her name tag, splattered with sauces. Velma. She turned around slowly, walking to kitchen leaving me to slide into a 50's style stool at the counter. Refusing to place my arms upon the sticky countertop as I looked up at the worn-out menu that hung over the window of cook's area. Scanning food options, I decide on a BLT and strawberry milkshake for myself. Believing Tod would like a nice juicy cheeseburger with an order of steak fries. My eyes dropped from the menu to see Velma staring at me. "You ready to order?" I nodded.

She comes around thru swinging door to grab a ticket book as I related my choices to her, she scribbled down. She ripped the ticket out of booklet, walked to the window to slam the ticket down hard with an "Order In" into the window. Then she went back thru the kitchen door and busied herself with what looked like preparing our food. I could hear the hamburger patty sizzling away.

There has to be someone else back there and I wasn't able to contain my curiosity; needing a peek. Sliding out of my seat to find a restroom and chance a look into the back to see what cook looks like. Because the front help is a homely woman, man or beast; what must the person in the back look like to be hidden away? As I walk by to a bathroom I glance in, and from what I could see it was only her cooking our food. I shook my head in disbelief she would put on such an act. I didn't want to believe she really was alone though; there has to be someone else working back there just out of my line of vision.

Passing by the quiet old men only sparing them a quick notice as I push open the bathroom door. The smell of urine assaults my nostrils, causing me to gag, but I didn't want to appear rude or nosy. Instead, I stare at myself blankly, finally turning faucet on to wash my hands, without soap. Rinsing them off and drying them with one of the two paper towels left. Opening the door to restroom the two older men and the mid forty-year-old dark hair man with square face looked at me, as if I was trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. I could already tell the younger of the three men didn't like me, the way he stared at me with contempt though I couldn't fathom why. Conversations began again after I was out of earshot as if they were planning some kind of heist.

"Order out!" Velma bellowed, as she pushed food thru the window. I whipped out my debit card ready to pay and received more stares from the men. Velma come to take payment at an old register "What do you want me to do with that? We take cash or check here! Your total is $23.88."

I fumbled through my wallet for cash and pulled out a twenty and a five-dollar bill, in disbelief the café didn't except an electronic payment. Velma hammered the register causing dings and clanks as it opens finally; shoving two dollar bills and some change. Leaving my order on the counter, she scampers back to kitchen area without another word. The dismissal without pleasantries or thank you for stopping by our not so fine establishment. Nothing. I grabbed my purchases in a state of confusion, judging by the condition of the place a little apprehensive about consuming this food. I went back to room where Tod was waiting, I must have been wearing a dumbfounded look upon my face since he asked what was wrong?"

I shook my head as I if to clear myself of that whole bizarre incident. "Do you think we made a mistake by moving here?"

"What!? You don't love the country vibe?" I gave a quick shake of my head as he pressed on with questions. "What wrong? What happened?"

"I just went to café and the whole interaction with the townspeople was just strange."

"Oh honey. We are just strangers; they will get used to us."

"No, I don't think we belong here, and they don't want us here. Why did you choose this place, Tod?"

" I told you this already. The houses are cheap here. You will see it will get better, please give it more time."

"Okay," I said with reluctance as I dropped my shoulders in defeat.

"So, what did you get for us?"

I perked up a little, smiling at him while passing him the bag with his burger and fries. He opened, inhaling the freshly cooked food. Diving in to retrieve fries and cheeseburger. "Thank you honey."

After consuming our food, we began unpacking our few clothes and toiletries for a refreshing shower. First night spent in the town with me feeling a little anxious because of my brief introduction to the unfriendly townspeople. However, there are probably some good citizens here and I will soon meet them.

After our shower, which was lacking; with terrible water pressure. Spraying only a few strong streams upon me, as I chase those precious strands of water made washing my hair a chore instead of a luxurious experience.

Pulling back the brown paisley cigarette burnt bedspread, I slowly met Tod's eyes with an expression full of distaste. Looking into my eyes shrugging his shoulder, "It's a few days honey, only a few days. We will move into our house and it'll be great. Everything will work out fine, you'll see." I nodded and slipped in between the old sheets. We didn't have anywhere else to go, I knew this, until our house was available for us. Perhaps I could find work in the town while Tod finished writing his book. That would help maintain us some financially, and Tod would pick up a part time job as well. The rent is much more inexpensive in this town and if we wanted to survive until his manuscript was complete and purchased, it was necessary to drop our living expenses.

Tod and I snuggled together until we finally fall asleep. We were woken abruptly a few hours later to a piercing shriek which tore through the night and us from our slumber. Bolting upright completely disoriented, trying to regain my bearings, my hand reaches for Tod's comforting presence. Relief washes over me as I feel his firm forearm, "I'm here, honey." He reaches over to turn the lamp on, suddenly reminding me where we were. In an unfamiliar town, with unfamiliar people. Tod quickly moves to window to peek outside curtain; looking over to me shaking his head a little. " I don't see anything out of the ordinary, just an empty street."

"Maybe it come from one of the nearby rooms."

"Or a stray animal."

We lay back upon the bed, but sleep would elude us until finally falling into an exhaustive sleep. We awoke late about ten o'clock and I hopped up to job search to help keep us afloat, not choosing the cafe as an option although it appeared they needed a cleaner. Going to a small grocery store with one cashier to inquire if they needed any workers. Asking for an application only to be told they had none. I moved to a general store and pretty much got the same response; really doesn't seem anyone is friendly here. Moving from store to store down main street, without success of employment. Feeling eyes upon me as I continued to walk along, I swung around to find the shopkeepers peering out their windows at me. Resigned to an unfruitful day, I slip into grocery store for a few things.

"Tod?" I walked in with our food items. " I picked up some food from store to keep us going, we can't spend $23 a meal every day, we have no income."

"I know honey. I tried to see in motel needed a handy man or maintenance guy. No luck, how did it go for you?"

"Nothing. These are all mom-and-pop businesses it appears."

"Well here. Breakfast?" I say with a giggle. Tod grabs and saws the canned meat, slapping it on a slice bread. Taking a hearty bite with a smile. I join him with my own sandwich washing it down with gulps of water.

For two more days we wander and job search, neither being successful. Tod calls Mr. McGivens about our house availability.

"Well sure y'all come on out to the house I will meet ya there with the keys."

We collected our belonging as Tod drove us to our designation since he's the only one of us that knew the way. We twisted and turned down dirt road to a paved street and back unto another dirt road. "How in the hell did you find this place?"

An old colleague told me about, I mentioned our situation and he told me about this town. Gave me the old man's number, said he had a place with affordable rent, it sounded like an answer to our prayers.

Finally, an old, framed house comes into view, down a long dirt driveway. An old pickup is waiting and we get out to speak to Mr. McGivens. He passes keys to Tod and soon we are left alone to explore new home.

Wandering excitedly from room to room, busying myself with sweeping, mopping, and various other cleaning tasks. Having only a few hours before moving truck would arrive.

The movers bring our furniture and boxes into house. We unpacked and placed most things in rightful spot. Then went into town for dinner and groceries. We went into the sticky cafe and was met much the same way, except the men weren't there this time, only Velma. We choose to dine in, so we can go grocery shopping directly after meal. We bought groceries in the near empty store; made a quick stop for fuel. Tod drove as I looked out the window at the scenery, several fields with only a few scattered houses and barns on our drive.

We got home around dark to settle in for the night, finding ourselves in bed rather early due to exhaustion. Midnight, a very loud piercing shriek sounded scaring us awake. Tod jumped up looking all around house, as it persists. I am baffled, forgetting our first night experience so brief, and easy to dismiss. Finally stopping, and neither knew the cause. However, it would return night after night, long and nearer each night. Tod called police for them to investigate the noise.

Lanky cop only said " I looked over your yard and I see nothing amiss. Call us if you need us." He seemed unconcerned about our concerns and left.

"Call us if you need us?" I scoffed. "It took him three hours to get out here and investigate," I ground out.

The next night it was the same high-pitched screech; longer, louder and seeming closer. Sleep became impossible because of its threatening presence.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?"

"I don't know." Tod says after searching house and yard with flashlight. Every night it moves closer and louder, we were both baffled and exhausted.

Tod finds a thick, metal rod to keep beside bed as our only form of protection against the potential threat.

Leaving me with the idea to ask townspeople if that had any experience or knowledge of the origins of shriek. Next day, I went into town for food and stopped at beauty parlor to ask a few ladies, if they may have heard or know what the noise is. The old ladies shot each other a knowing look and said," I 'pect you should be looking for another town, hun."

"WHAT? What does MEAN?" Asking as my eyes dart from one old lady to another. Yet, they all avoided eye contact, neither elaborating on the vague warning she just gave me. I went to various other shops getting much the same response, yet I stop an older couple on the sidewalk. Hopeful for one person to Give CRAP AND TELL ME WHAT THEY KNOW THAT WE DON'T!

"Excuse me sir, ma'am, I need your help please." I said hesitantly as I searched their face for compassion or understanding.

"What'da you need?"

I Explained what we had been experiencing, noticing their faces drain of color. Finally, the old man said after thinking carefully for long moments. "You shouldn't have come here." He paused as if considering how much to tell me. " There's a beast alive within our town, it decides who can remain here."

"What!????"

"Only certain people can hear it. The one it comes to claim is able to hear its warning. It means you have been rejected; you aren't allowed to join our community. You should leave immediately." They ignore any new questions I had, walking away never to glance back.

Thoughts swirled in my mind as I drove home, bursting through the door yelling "TOD! I have to talk to you. Tod?"

"What's up?"

"Later, I need to tell you what the old people in town said."

"Okay, Shoot."

I relayed all they told me watching his eyes look at me with skeptically. I almost felt like he thought I was a moron for entertaining the notion. "I want to go."

"Where? We have no money, remember?"

I don't care where we go, I just want to go. We can't make a life here. There are no opportunities here. You were thinking only of yourself and your book. I'm the one that has to live in this town while your eyes are glued to your screen. WHERE DO I WORK TOD!? Who's gonna keep us fed while you finish your book?"

"I'm gonna pick up some side work. We will never find a house for two hundred a month. This is extremely affordable, even if I work a part time job."

"Well yeah maybe there's a reason it's so cheap."

"Just give it more time, at least until I finish book and then we will have enough money to buy us some little place." He pressed a kiss to my head "Okay, honey?"

Night fell, with a much louder screech and scratching upon house. As if something was trying to get into the house. It went on for hours, growling, tearing at the house. The police were called, revealing nothing yet again. Morning came and we went to investigate exterior side of house the noise seemed to be coming from, which revealed nothing amiss.

My nerves shattered, especially combined with what the older couple explained. I decided to no longer stay and went to gather most important possessions, when I heard sound again. It wasn't waiting until night any longer, and as I walked by a room, I could see bits of wood on the floor. Though the sound, low, not loud like at night, was coming consistently. I asked Tod to come look, as he was typing away on computer.

"It's just pest, we will get some rat traps."

"No, Tod. Please take me to town."

"Why?"

"Just take me to town!"

"Okay. Okay."

I held my overnight bag in my lap on the way, as we pulled into town. I felt a little more relief but wasn't fully comfortable. "Please take me to the next town with a bus, I'm leaving THIS town."

"Come on honey, we will get traps and get rid of the rats."

"Okay, Tod. Let me know when you get rid of them and I will return."

"This is crazy. You want me to take you to a bus station in an unknown town?"

"I'm a big girl, Tod. I can look after myself. You should leave also. I'm NOT STAYING IN THAT BEAST TOWN ANY LONGER!"

"I've already paid rent."

"Rent? You worry about rent? What about our LIVES? YOURS, IM OUTTA HERE." We pulled into a bus station a few towns over, kissing him before walking away.

"I will come back and pick you up, if you change your mind; tonight, tomorrow, whenever. I love you, honey. Call me if you need me."

"I wont be changing my mind, Tod. Good luck. You are being foolish."

He shook his head while driving away.

A few hours later, I am on a bus back to city.