Free SNOW GLOBE by Jeanne Skartsiaris

her criminal record.
    “Was it because of last night?” Janie asked. “I’m so sorry.”
    Aja shrugged. “Long story. Let me start the salads tonight.”

Chapter 13

    Later that night at home, Aja’s head bobbed sleepily over her homework. Her mom had left a note saying she’d gone to the Hill Country near Austin to sing with a folk band and that there was a vegan casserole in the fridge.
    Math was stupid easy. Geography was interesting, but Aja didn’t have time to spend savoring her book because she had to finish reading for English, including the extra assignment Dempsey gave her. Her eyes would not stay open as she tried to track the pages. Instead, she decided to read in bed after showering.
    She’d only spent an hour at the Jensens’ after work. Mrs. Jensen slept the whole time Aja was there. Her family sat around her, seeming afraid to miss a second with their mother. Mr. Jensen nervously worked to keep up with the activity and spend time holding his wife’s hand. The commotion seemed to make him more anxious, and Aja only felt like she was in the way. She didn’t leave until she made sure he’d eaten a cup of soup, though.
    Aja glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. The lack of sleep the night before was wearing on her every nerve. She was a little apprehensive about staying alone but was so tired she figured the house could implode and she’d probably sleep through it. She got up from her studies to take her dirty dishes to the kitchen. As she rinsed her dishes, she looked out the window over the sink and froze when she saw a figure under the oak tree near the alley. A familiar shadow. The police officer, Clay Richards, the one she called Freddy Kruger.
    She jumped so hard she dropped her plate in the sink, cracking it in two. Aja ignored the broken dish and ran from the kitchen, turning out the light behind her. Her heart fluttered like a scared animal ready to take flight. She was trapped. This guy wasn’t like other adults that Aja easily flipped off. His presence was so evil she shook to her core. And, worse, he wouldn’t leave her alone.
    She crouched in the darkened hallway, chewing her nails, wondering where she could go and if she could get out. She was trapped like a caged bird. Her cell phone was in her room so she crawled toward her open door. The light in her room was on, leaving no place to hide. As she shuffled by her mom’s room, she glanced out the window to the backyard. He stood under the tree, but had moved closer. This was worse than a horror movie. At least in the theater, she could close her eyes and make the scary parts go away.
    She wanted to run to her car and drive away, but he’d no doubt pull her over for some reason and then she’d be at his mercy. She wished that she’d grabbed a big butcher knife before she ran from the kitchen.
    She made it to her bedroom and turned off the light. As she reached for her cell phone, she heard the squeak of the screen door. In her purse were the needle-nose pliers, a gift from her mom who swore every girl should have this multi-use tool. Her mom used one when she was hitchhiking years ago. Pressed them against the neck of a driver who decided he wanted payment for the ride he’d given her. Since then, she was never without hers and made sure Aja had a pair too. Aja used it mostly on their garage-sale crockpot whose knob had broken off leaving no grip.
    The screen door squeaked again, and this time Aja heard the doorknob jiggle. Luckily, she’d locked all the doors when she got home. She never liked to stay alone, but she usually did okay—until tonight. The veil of fear shocked her so much she could barely breathe, much less think of what to do.
    Aja knew the door would be nothing to break through. She took her phone off the desk and tried to dial. Her hand shook so hard and she couldn’t remember what numbers to dial.
    911, 911 . She finally hit the buttons.
    The door opened.
    “911 operator,” a voice came on the