Something In The Woodshed

No spare batteries. I slam the cupboard door shut and stare out of the window towards the silhouettes of waving trees. I have to go out to the woodshed. I know I've got some spare batteries in there. But I don't want to go, I never like going in there, not at night.

"Oh, grow up," I tell myself, trying to ignore the churning anxiety growing in my stomach. I'm an adult now, and adults shouldn't be afraid of the dark. Stuffing my feet into my shoes and grabbing my torch, I step outside, gasping as the wind snatches my breath away and the trees groan in protest as they're battered by the storm.

Taking a deep breath, I flick on my torch, and march forward, ducking dancing leaves and flailing branches as I get closer towards the woodshed. Eventually, I reach it and unlock the door which squeals in protest as I force it open. The batteries should be on the second shelf on the left. Propping the doorstop against the door, I check there's nothing behind me, then step towards the batteries.

Bang! Oh God, how the hell did the door close? I propped it open. Never mind, I should be able to force the door open. I just need to get the batteries. I grab the box, and the torch goes out. Crap. Heart banging like it's trying to escape the confines of my chest, I unscrew the torch and let the old batteries drop to the floor as I fumble for the box. Wait, where is it? It was right here. How?

I slam my hands against the shelf, feeling bottles and toys and tools, but no box. Suddenly, I hear the sound of batteries rolling across the floor, back and forth, back and forth like they're being pushed by someone bored.

No,no, no, I have to get out of here. I stumble for the door, crashing against wood as I trip over my own feet. Where's the handle? Come on, why can't I find the handle? Why can I still hear the batteries rolling back and forth? There's no one else here in the shed, there can't be. This is why I'm afriad of the dark.

Published 19th of September 2023