Sarah woke up to the scent of sunlight pouring through her curtains.
It was Monday.
She stretched, yawned, and twirled softly on her toes, giggling to herself as she did a little dance in her room. Something about today just felt good. She washed her face, dressed quickly, and flew down the stairs with a bright smile.
"Kiss kiss!" she chimed, planting quick kisses on both her parents' cheeks.
Her mom blinked in shock. "Oh my God... What's gotten into you this morning?"
Sarah smiled shyly. "I made a friend. Her name is Trish."
For a moment, her mother froze. A friend? Sarah made a friend?
Tears nearly welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away with a chuckle. "That's… that's wonderful, baby. I'm proud of you."
"Where's Dad?" Sarah asked as she adjusted her backpack.
"He went to work early today," her mom said, her voice suddenly low. "He said he might come back late... but don't worry. Just enjoy your day and greet that friend for me, okay?"
Sarah nodded and skipped out, her joy untouched.
At school, Trish was already waiting by the gate, waving wildly. Sarah's heart soared.
"You're late!" Trish grinned.
"I'm so sorry!" Sarah laughed, running up to her. "I'll treat you to dinner!"
"You better," Trish said with a playful glare. "You owe me now."
---
Meanwhile… back at home…
Sarah's mom finished her errands, locking the gate behind her as she made her way to town. She passed the same crooked old cottage where that strange woman from the other day had warned Sarah.
And once again… she was there.
The old woman stepped into her path, her eyes wild, her voice low and urgent.
> "You need to leave that house. That house is not meant for you. You must go... before it's too late."
Sarah's mother blinked. "I—I'm sorry?"
> "That house. That field. That scarecrow. It wants something. It takes and takes. You have to get your family away."
Sarah's mother took a step back. "Okay, ma'am. I don't know what you're talking about. I think you need to go home and rest."
> "GO AWAY FROM THAT HOUSE!" the old woman shrieked suddenly.
Startled and frightened, Sarah's mom walked away fast, glancing over her shoulder as the woman stood still in the road, shouting like a possessed soul.
---
Later that evening…
Sarah came home laughing with Trish, treated her to a quick meal, then rushed home feeling light and glowing.
She took a shower, wrapped herself in her towel, and—like always—slipped out to the field to talk to the scarecrow.
She sat beside it quietly, her lips moving with stories, questions, giggles… all in whispers. Just like always.
When it got too dark, she stood.
"I'll come tomorrow," she said softly. "Don't miss me."
She walked inside, feeling content.
But five minutes later, strange noises echoed from the basement.
Creaking. Then something like… a struggle.
She paused. Goosebumps prickled her skin.
Was someone… down there?
"Mom?" she called out, heart pounding. "Dad?"
No answer.
Against her better judgment, she crept toward the basement door and peered down. Nothing. Silence.
Maybe she was imagining things. Or maybe she was just tired.
She turned away, nerves still twitching.
Just then, the front door opened — her mom had returned.
Sarah ran to her, wrapping her in a tight hug.
They laughed, cooked dinner, and enjoyed the rest of the evening like everything was normal. Sarah never mentioned the sounds. And her mother… never mentioned the old woman.
But that night, long after Sarah had gone to bed…
Her father returned home.
And as they sat together in the dim kitchen light, Sarah's mother finally told him what the old woman had said.
His face went pale.
He gripped the edge of the table tightly.
"…Maybe she knows," he whispered. "Maybe she knows about the field… and the scarecrow."
---