Smiling, I lay down in bed for the first time in a long while feeling… hopeful. I had even peeked again at what he said he was going to pay me, $40 an hour. Jesus Christ. At first, I thought it was just an up-front thing or a typo, but after I reread the messages, he literally meant $40.
Unless it was a mistake.
Yah. Probably a mistake.
People say stuff like that to lure you in and trap you.
But honestly? It doesn’t even matter. Even if he ends up paying me $15 an hour, I’ll take it until I can find something better.
For now… I’ll take the hope.
When Monday morning rolls around, I take a shuttle up to the place. It’s pretty remote. There are other houses in the area, but they’re not on top of each other, and this one is separated by a row of evergreens. Private, tucked away.
This is perfect. Some peace and quiet. And if I’m expected to clean the house, maybe it’ll be while the family is gone.
As I walk up the steps, the doorbell light pops on and pings, recording me. It beeps at my motion.
This house looks like one of those postcard houses you see in commercials, the kind I used to watch growing up as a kid. There’s an unlocking noise, then a voice through a speaker, distorted and radio-like.
Door is open,the person says.
It comes in garbled, but I hear enough. I open the door.
“Hello?” I call out.
The place is empty. No footsteps, no greeting.
Just silence.
Then I hear a soft little bell, and I’m almost scared out of my skin when a brown tabby comes trotting right up to me. My face lights up instantly.
I don’t even have to see him to know.
I can feel it.
“A kitty! Oh my gosh, hi kitty.” I smile as I scoop him up. He’s wearing a cute blue collar with a bell on it. “Hello, kitty,” I coo, tickling his belly while he pushes his face into my hand.
“Oh my god, you’re so freaking cute. I’m gonna love spending time with you. Where’s your family?” I ask him, glancing around, not expecting him to answer, obviously.
I walk deeper into the house but try not to wander too much. “Hello?” I call out again, waiting for someone to reply.
A speaker somewhere crackles.
I’ll be home shortly,a male voice says.
It sounds familiar… but then again, every voice sounds familiar through a speaker.
“Okay,” I answer, not sure if he can even hear me.
Just make yourself comfortable,the voice says.
Whenever a stranger saysthatin their house, I always think it’s funny. How exactly are you supposed to do that? You don’t know the place, you don’t know the person, and you have no idea what kind of energy they bring. Comfortable? In a stranger’s house? That’s a stretch.
“Well, kitty,” I say, “you definitely make that easier.”
“If I’m going to be spending all my time with you, this is definitely going to be worth my while. Especially if I’m getting paid for it,” I whisper, lowering my voice as if someone could hear me. “That’s our little secret though,” I add.
I sink into the leather couch with him, stroking his fur. This place is beautiful. Clean. Minimalistic. A little too minimalistic, honestly.
