The Curious Tale Of Miss Julia Winters

What about things that go bump in the daytime?

         Julia?"

         There was no answer, and Frannie grew impatient. "Julia, you come down here right now! You know you're not allowed to play—"

         A crash from the attic cut Frannie short. That girl! she thought. Like a wrecking ball in a glass house.

         "Damn it, Julia, you're driving me crazy with this nonsense! I—"

         "I'm sorry, Momma," said a voice behind her. "I was playing in the garden shed, and I fell asleep. Don't be mad."

         Frannie looked at her daughter. The girl's eyes were puffy, as if she had been sleeping. Frannie frowned. "Sorry, honey. I thought—" A dragging sound from upstairs.

         Frannie was becoming alarmed. "Julia, I want you to go back out to the garden shed, honey. Practice playing hide-and-seek. Hide where you think I'll never be able to find you. Go on, go now, honey."

         Julia headed for the garden shed.

         Frannie pulled a knife out of the knife block, preparing to confront whatever—or whomever—had invaded her home. She took a step—



         —She was sitting on the couch. Julia was standing in front of her, rubbing her mother's cheek. "It's okay, Mommy. It's over for now."

         Frannie shook her head as though waking from a dream. A knife was sitting in the coffee table. What...?

         Julia smiled and caressed her face again. "Mommy..." her voice sounded...strange. Frannie looked—



         —She was lying in her bed. It was dark in the room except for a bright white light that seemed to be receding from the window, where Julia was silhouetted. Frannie bent her neck to look at her daughter. Julia turned and looked at her. Frannie tried to scream, but nothing came.

         Julila's eyes were huge, almond-shaped, and black. She smiled.

         "Don't worry, 'Mommy,'" said a voice inside Frannie's head. "You won't remember any of this this time."


NOTES: ▼

Word Count: 300
Submitted for "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
Prompt: Use the phrase "You're driving me crazy!"