Haunting, Isn’t It?

It was a dark and stormy night, but isn’t it always with these sorts of stories? The rain was coming down hard as three young guys tried to make their way home. Alex, Sam, and Zack were on their way back from a swim meet that ended with them not only losing but losing badly. Maybe the other teams were just better, or maybe they needed to practice more but whatever the reason, their spirits were low.

Sam slapped Alex’s hand as he tried to change the station.

“My car, my music” Sam announced, like it was his catchphrase.

“If I had known that I would have drove, you have awful tastes” Alex proclaimed with disgust.

"Driven," Sam's voice dripped with a smug self-satisfaction.

Alex face scrunched up like he smelled something foul, "What?"

Zack sat in the backseat, staring out the window. He hadn't said much since they left. He couldn't help but feel like the other two blamed him for their dreadful time. He just kept dwelling on how miserable he was.

The radio was in the middle of a car insurance commercial when the car stalled out.

Sam tried to turn the engine but there was no sign of life in the thing.

“I really should have drove,” Alex said matter-of-factly.

“I just got this thing out of the shop, there is no reason for Thor to be acting up,” Sam said befuddled.

“You named your car Thor?”

“You know, because it’s a dodge avenger”

“Nerd.”

“Whatever,” Sam took out his phone. “Someone pass me their phone, I’m not getting a signal”

Alex did the same and got the same results “Same here, Zack what about you?”

Zack wasn’t really listening; he was just steadily watching the rain fall. While drifting he could swear he saw a light blink.

“Hey, space cadet! Phone!”

Zack was started but quickly regained his composure and did the same as the other two with a similar outcome.

“Satellite must be down or something. Crap, I don't want to sleep in the car.”

Looking out the window, Zack once again could swear he saw something. “Guys, I think there’s something out there,” Zack says while motioning in the direction of the lights.

Sam looked out. “There shouldn’t be, there’s nothing but woods for…” Sam found himself cut by a flash of lighting. The darkness was lifted for only a moment but long enough for them to see the imposing manor on a hill.

“Maybe we could ask to use their phone so we can call AAA.” Sam contemplating.

“Beats staying in here” Agreed Alex.