14 A night at the attic

The four thought of a gimmick for Halloween. Wearing their pajamas, they decided to have a party at the attic.

"Truth or consequence?" Evan asked them. "Who's going to be first?"

Suzy suggested that they draw names. It was Josh's turn first.

"Truth or consequence?" Evan asked.

"Truth."

"Is it true that you were a cry baby?" Yuri asked.

"True." Josh was scratching his head, pointing finger at Suzy.

"Next." Evan said.

They drew names again. Suzy was drawn.

"Truth," she said.

"Is it true that you were hiding under the table because you did not want to be fed by your nanny when you were young?" Evan asked.

It was Josh and Yuri's time to laugh at Suzy.

"Truth." Suzy answered smiling; she was a good sport.

Yuri's name was drawn.

"Consequence," he said.

"Hmm…" Evan was thinking… "Aha!"

"Go to your crush and give her a kiss."

They were all laughing. They knew; they could sense that Yuri liked Suzy. Josh acted like he was the bodyguard of his sister. He expanded his chest and pretended to have a bicep to intimidate his sister's admirer. Yuri came to her closely and pecked her on the cheek. Suzy blushed.

Then, they were like kids huddling together. They talked until they all fell asleep.

Then, a dream took over Josh.

He saw the man at the lake looking at them, smiling. They had fun fishing for the second time around. Then, his foot slipped on the edge of the shoreline. The man held him by the hand preventing his fall. Josh stared at his face. He was gentle-looking, not the kind of some spooky ghosts that haunt and terrorize people.

Josh opened his eyes, surprised at his dream. He sat up. He woke Yuri up.

"Why?" Yuri asked.

"The man at the lake…" Josh was hesitant to tell him.

"What?"

"I dreamed of him. We were fishing, then, I slipped from the fringe line and almost fell but he caught my hand. I wonder who could he be?"

"Hmm… that's what happens when you're a horror fanatic—It's you and your over-active imagination."

Suzy was also awakened, except for Evan who was deep in sleep.

"Why?"

"He's afraid," said Yuri.

"I am not you jerk. Go back to sleep."

"No, seriously, he said he dreamed about that guy we saw at the lake."

"And?"

"That he saved him by the hand when he was falling off the fringe." Yuri almost broke into laughter.

"Good for him," Suzy frowned, her sleep was disturbed. She turned her back to sleep again.

Yuri was looking at the attic. He looked at Josh. Josh was also awake.

"Hey, go back to sleep," he told Josh. Then, Yuri covered himself with his blanket.

They could hear the crickets chirruping. Their noise had become stronger now that fall had set in.

At some far distance, dogs cried, "Awooo!"

Josh could see the man. Then, he pulled his comforter to his head and forced himself to sleep. He didn't want to disturb his friends.

xxxxxx

The next day, Mrs. See could be seen fetching the two. Isabella waved at her, sending Evan and Yuri off at the main door.

"What are these kids doing all the time?" Mrs. See was wondering at her children not coming home. She was almost shouting from her car.

"Oh, yes! They love each other so much—they can't be separated." Isabella was glad to see Mrs. See.