Stolen and Beholden
What he stole could never be replaced
He crept down down the hall dressed in shades of shadow, all but invisible in the dark. On his feet, he wore only socks. Forensics had recently identified a female based on prints taken from a wood floor and the worn down treads on the sole of her left sneaker, the result of her, evidently, rare gait.
He would not be so foolish.
But when he heard the low murmur of voices, he gasped. His tongue stuck dry against his teeth. Afraid to breathe, he stood dead still in the dark. His heart thumped against his chest. Calm the hell down, he silently scolded himself.
He noted the pale blue flicker in the gap beneath the parents’ bedroom door. That’s when he recognized the staccato delivery, the canned laughter. Nothing but a late night television show. He concentrated and heard the heavy breathing, not quite snoring, of parents deep in slumber. They’d be no trouble tonight.
He slipped soundlessly into the child’s room. He slid his bony blue fingers beneath her pillow, felt around. Finally, the tiny pearl-like tooth! He tucked it deep into a velvet pocket and vanished in a puff of silver sparkles. He forgot to leave money!
About the Creator
Vivian R McInerny
A former daily newspaper journalist, now an independent writer of essays & fiction published in several lit anthologies. The Whole Hole Story children's book was published by Versify Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021. More are forthcoming.
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Comments (15)
I liked it!
AHHHHH, you had me. Very well done. I have subscribed, looking forward to more
Nice twist!
Well done, with a great twist! Congratulations!
I actually really like this one!
Awesome story! Written in a really alluring way and also great twist and ending!
Excellent! Kept me on the edge of the seat while reading. Well crafted story!
Haha, the ending got me! Finely-crafted build up! I was in suspense and then -- poof! I won't lie, a couple of times at our house the tooth fairy has made the same mistake! ;)
I love the intensity as he steps towards her room. Mom and dad will have to answer as to why she was left empty handed- lol. Well done and congratulations on Top Story ❤️
That was a pleasant surprise, yet I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell the kid it was all For nothing. This was very well written and congrats!
Ha, ha! I like this one. And it still make me wonder how they did that whole tooth-to-cash swap without waking me up. ;)
What a soundly disturbing take on the tooth fairy 😅 I kept expecting the child to die Very very well done!!
"... shades of shadow..." Love it!
This is beyond cute. Love it. Forgot to leave money ? Oh oh. 😂
This is so well done. You have such a great way with words that the reader cannot help but be drawn in. Excellent job and a great take on the challenge.