March exercise...495 N. Fingernail

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Registered: 03-26-2003
March exercise...495 N. Fingernail
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Fri, 03-15-2002 - 9:56am

March exercise...495 N. Fingernail


“I found it, I found it,” Marybeth shouts as she holds the newspaper then grabs the phone and calls the number on the ad.

She stands up and walks across the kitchen to the back door, “Hello, I’m calling about the grandfather clock. Would you describe it and how much are you asking for it?”

The low, raspy man’s voice answers and she hears, “ It’s in excellent condition, walnut wood color, the chimes work but its rather large and an antique. I want 800.00 for it.”

“May I come and look at it? Yes, tonight at seven. Your address is 465 North Fingernail.”

Marybeth clicks the off button and dances to her bedroom. She has enough time to take a shower, make a sandwich for her supper before leaving to view the clock. She completes these tasks then locks the front door and gets into her purple Toyota and drives to the address. After circling the block twice and checking the house numbers she parks near the curb in front of a ram shackled, green house with its windows boarded up.

Marybeth, carrying her purse opens the car door and steps out and follows the cement sidewalk. A large maple tree shades the tall grass while a weeping willow shades the entryway. The rotted wooden boards, with large holes make up the porch and it looks dangerous. She stares at the screen door trying to muster up the courage to knock. She mentally gives herself a pep talk as she steps onto the porch and goes to the door where she raises her hand to knock when she feels a hand grab her ankle.

“Ahhh....!” she screams before she slaps her purse down onto the hand until she feels it being released.

“Quit screaming, lady! I’m sorry I scared you,” a voice from underneath says, “I’m Ernie and I’m trying to fix this sad heap of wood or so called porch.”

“Do you live here? I came to view the grandfather clock.”

“Nope,” the voice says and then the front door opens.

A middle aged man stands behind the screen door, dressed in a blue, flannel shirt and jeans. “I heard someone screaming. Are you all right? Do you need something?”

Marybeth stutters, “I’m here to look at the grandfather clock. I called earlier.”

The man rubs his chin and says in a low, raspy voice, “You must be mistaken. I don’t have a grandfather clock.”

“But this is 465 Fingernail?”

The man’s lips barely move as he answers, “No, this is 495.”

Marybeth blushes, “I’m so sorry; the 9 must have fallen making it look like a 6.”

“The house you’re looking for is two blocks south of here,” he says then shuts the door.

A chuckle sounds from under the porch as she leaves and walks to her car. A mixture of relief and embarrassment overcomes her senses as she makes a U-turn and heads south. Marybeth checks her watch and it reads, 7:20. Ten minutes later she stops in front of a tan house with 465 on the mailbox. She climbs out still shaking from the other encounter and heads to the front door.

She knocks and the door opens where an older woman stands and asks, “May I help you?”

“Yes, I came to see the clock you have advertised .”

“Oh my, we just sold it. I’m sorry.”

Marybeth bites her lip then replies, “I see, okay, bye then.”

She travels back to her car and drives towards home. Her anger and disappointment fuels her to change her mind so she stops at the discount store. Marybeth parks the car, gets out, locks the doors and strolls into the building.

The scent of popcorn fills the air and five other shoppers walk in front of her. Her spirits lift as she fills the cart with cleaning supplies, dish towels, and items she can use at school for her first-graders. She grabs a Snickers candy bar before she unloads the items onto the conveyer belt.

“Hello, did you find everything you needed?” the perky brunette asks.

“Yes, I did,” She answers then pulls out her checkbook and waits for the total.

As she waits she listens to the elevator music and gazes at an adorable toddler and that’s when she spies the man who lives at the first house. Marybeth scans over his flannel shirt to his face, which scares her. His cheeks have dents in them, his nose is crooked and his unshaven whiskers look sharp. She shivers after he gives her an intense look.

She hears, “That will be 25.68,” so she fills out the check then hands it to the clerk. She grabs the two plastic bags and hurries to her car where she quickly gets in, starts it and departs the area. She tries to shake off the creepy feeling.

Marybeth carrying her bags climbs out of her vehicle and darts to the front door. She unlocks it and doesn’t relax until she relocks both of them. As she turns on the stereo she thinks get a grip girl. It’s just a coincidence After grading some papers and watching *Judging Amy* she calls it a night.

The next morning Marybeth awakes in a good mood. She loves her job at Sunnytimes Elementary School. She makes her bed, changes clothes then walks into the sunny kitchen where she pops two frozen waffles into the toaster and grabs a cold Pepsi. An hour later Marybeth is sitting behind her desk in her classroom awaiting the eager students to arrive.

She has a good but tiring day and looks forward to attending her boyfriend, Galen‘s softball game this evening.

“Hi beautiful,” Galen says before he kisses her lips.

“I‘ve missed you. Do you want to spend the night at my place?”

He smiles and says, “You bet, but first I have a game to play, wish me luck,” then he turns his face towards her, “How about another kiss?”

Marybeth brushes her lips over his then he runs off to the field while she goes to the bleachers.

“Hi Martha, how‘s it going?” she asks as she sits down.

Martha answers, “Not bad. I just wish it was Friday!”

Marybeth giggles, “I know what you mean.”

They talked about everything from the weather to the hottest gossip while the game plays on. She notices Galen is on first base and Martha’s boyfriend, Neil is up to bat. She watches as he swings and misses. The count is two balls and two strikes. He takes a swing and hits it out to left field. Galen is running to third then he steals and makes it to the home plate and scores.

Marybeth jumps up and claps. “I’m thirsty, I’m going to the concession stand, can I get you a drink? she asks Martha.

“Sure, I’d like a Mountain Dew.”

She walks down two rows and goes left towards the brick building when she feels a bump which causes her to lose her balance. A set of cold hands steadies her before she looks up and peers at the creepy man, dressed in flannel once again.

“I’m so sorry, miss. Did I hurt you?”

Marybeth masks her discomfort and says, “No, I’m fine,” then she starts to walk away.

He grabs her arm. “Are you sure, you’re okay? Would you have dinner with me I want to make up for my mishap?”

She gazes into his deep set, dark eyes and gives a faint smile, “No, I mean yes, really I’m fine, accidents do happen. I have a boyfriend but thanks anyway.”

Marybeth’s arms break out in goose bumps as she hears, “Okay, have a nice evening.”

She hurries to the concession stand where she orders two drinks. That creepy feeling travels along her spine as she thinks he must be following me cause its not like it’s a small town where everybody attends all of the social functions. She pays for her drinks then looks around for him and then strolls back to the bleachers.

After the game the players and their friends indulge in drinking some beer. Marybeth toasts Galen on his win. He puts his arm around her waist and says, “Come on, it's getting late, plus I need a shower. I’ll follow you to your place.”

She reeves up her engine and leaves the park and goes home. She walks into the house then checks the answering machine when Galen comes into the house. They spend time catching up on what’s been happening. She puts lotion on her body while Galen showers. They make love and as she is close to dozing off she watches Galen open the window and then she sleeps.

Later that night a loud, thumping noise awakes her. Her muscles stiffen in fear. Marybeth listens then nudges Galen’s arm. “Galen, wake up! Do you hear that noise?”

“What noise?”

“That thumping noise, listen,” she implores.

He chuckles, “That’s some cats running around on the roof.”

She listens carefully, “You’re right, sorry to wake you. But I’m going to close the window.”

Marybeth goes to shut the window when she hears a tomcat’s screech. She jumps and looks out. A dark shadow of a man can be seen by the streetlight. She looks away and then she looks again. He is gone.

Marybeth wants to tell Galen but he is snoring so she cuddles in his warmth and prays that it is just her imagination.

The next morning she tries to tell Galen about the creepy man but he brushes her off claiming he has got to get home and change for work. Marybeth hurries through her breakfast and shower, dresses in a tan skirt and navy blue top, picks up her papers and leaves the house. She glances around hoping she won’t see him again. She tosses in her stuff then drives off to school.

Her day is routine until the last hour when she notices, Jasmine’s saddest brown eyes. She calls her to her desk. “Jasmine, come sit on my lap. Is something wrong?” Marybeth asks, “You can tell me and it will make you feel better.”

“I miss my Grandpa. He died and now I’ll never get to see him again.” Two fat, pearly tears drop before she flings her arms around Marybeth’s neck. Marybeth caresses her back while Jasmine sobs. She takes a Kleenex and wipes away the moisture.

“Jasmine, it’s true you can’t see him again but his love for you is in right here,” She says as she places her hand on Jasmine’s heart. They talk for ten minutes then Marybeth lets her go after she gets a smile from her.

The last bell rings and the children run out of the door. Marybeth straightens up the classroom and departs the building. A black van stops in front of her. She feels herself being lift up and someone shoves her into the van. A blindfold is put in place and duct tape is put over her mouth while string ties her hands and feet. Marybeth feels the hard floor vibrate as she hears the tires crunch over gravel. Her body shuts down and she sleeps. She awakes when someone pulls her up and carries her then she feels the blindfold and tape disappear.

She gazes into the meanest, dark eyes as he ties her to a wooden chair. She scans over the surroundings, which it appears to be a log cabin. Dust and cobwebs line the floor and walls. The musty air is stifling as her eyes travel over captor. His yellow teeth flash as he rasps, “Relax Marybeth, I promised you a dinner for my mishap and that’s why you’re here.”

“May I freshen up? Would you untie me, please?”

He leers, “I’ll help you freshen up. Sit tight sweetheart.”

Marybeth is screaming inside as she ponders how she can escape. He returns with a large bowl of water, which he brings to her. She feels the cold water on her forehead, cheeks and lips as he applies it then he unbuttons her top.

“Stop it! I don’t know you; can’t we talk and get to know each other?”

The creepy man pulls a gleaming knife from his shin and places it between her breasts. “I know what I want, now the question is are you going to give it or not?”

He steps away from her and paces across the room. Marybeth cries as she watches him in a trance like phase.

She says, “What is your name? Tell me about yourself.”

He strolls back to her and answers, “Now, she wants to know me, but not when I asked her out. I’ll play along with your game unlike you, who rejected me. My name is Ethan. I live at 495 Fingernail. I’m a meat cutter at Pam’s warehouse. I’m 44 years old,” he states in a monotone voice.

Marybeth gasps as he slices her buttons off and then her bra. “Now, I have a question for you, why did you reject my kindness? Hmm Morgan?”

Morgan, who is he talking about Marybeth thinks just keep him talking. He runs his hand over his whiskers.

“I’m sorry, Ethan that I hurt you!” Marybeth says, “Please untie me and I will make it up to you.”

Ethan chuckles, “I had you going, Marybeth. Did you know that blood smells and is sticky?”

Marybeth shivers and starts praying. She doesn’t feel the first three cuts and the last words she hears before she faints are “She is a lean one but she will feed, Nimo the dog for a few days.”

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Avatar for countrygal23
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 03-23-2002 - 11:27am

Thanks for reading and feedback, I appreciate it (nt)


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