You’re Next

In the shadows, under the stairs, resting against the chair was a bloody knife. Why was it there? Nobody knows. What was it used for? Nobody knows. Who was the one using it? Nobody knows. Or do they?1

Hayley was on her way to school, swishing her long brown hair back and forth over her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. As usual she was wearing a vacant expression as she trekked up the path towards the school. She always day dreamed as she never liked to think about what could happen, in the day that lay ahead of her. 2

That particular school-day passed a lot more quickly then Hayley had wanted it to, but after about 15 minutes of talking to her teacher she had to go home. Hayley always tried to buy time after school because she was scared of what might happen when she got home. 3

It took her about 40 minutes to dawdle along the roads and through the woods to get to her home. She unlocked the front door and called out for her mother. There was no response. Hayley thought she had gone shopping. She was dumping her school bag near the door to the kitchen when she spotted the knife under the stairs. She walked over and saw that there was a note with it. 4

Picking the note up she began to read it. It was headed, “Hayley” and double-underlined in handwriting that was very familiar to her. “Mum is dead. You’re next.” 5

Hayley looked from the note to the knife. Knowing that she had to escape, she quickly picked up her school bag, and ran out of the house. 6