COLLECTED PHOBIAS # 8

COLLECTED PHOBIAS manuscript of short stories by Granny Annie
(Written as bedtime stories for my children in the 80's.)

PLUMBING REPAIRS (part two)  
click HERE if you missed part one 

John could hear Margaret tapping her foot in the kitchen.  Slowly he moved toward the sound.  John tried to ignore the rustling around him.  He was determined to concentrate on the job.  Something brushed his face.  He shuddered and moved on.

John located the busted pipe.  He folded his large frame as neatly as possible in the cramped space and began his task. The repair did not even take 10 minutes. With a sigh of relief, John packed his tools and headed back toward the pinpoint of daylight in front of him.  

The brave man was halfway to the opening when the light disappeared.  John flipped on his flashlight.  Nothing.  His batteries had failed him.  "Margaret" he called.  She did not answer.  He listened carefully to hear some noise from the house. Hoping to hear his wife's footsteps, doors opening and closing, anything.  "Hey Margaret!" he yelled in desperation.

A soft, slow hissing began to fill his senses.  Cold, cold air was encompassing him.  John began to shiver involuntarily.  Something gripped his ankle.  He tried to shake it off but whatever held him only gripped tighter.  A slimy substance began to trickle over his face and hands.  He opened his mouth to cry out but choked on the icky gunk that engulfed him.

By some miracle, the sudden shaft of light reappeared.  John shook loose from his assailant and crawled quickly to the opening at the side of his house.  He staggered inside and collapsed into his favorite easy chair.  

"Why didn't you answer me, Margaret?" John demanded.

"I was on the phone. What's the matter with you, you big sissy?" Margaret boldly inquired.

John did not answer.

No one could ever explain why such a tragedy took place in their small community.  John Edwards was still in the psychiatric hospital after having killed his wife Margaret in her sleep. He liked the hospital.  At least John would never have the need to crawl under a house again.

 EAGHL © 2017

Next Saturday THE FINAL CHAPTER



First Week INTRUDER and OUTHOUSES
Second Week JUNE BUGS
Third Week OLD AUNT BEULAH 
Fourth Week LIFE'S PLEASURE (part one)
Fifth week LIFE'S PLEASURE (part two) and SILLY GIRL
Sixth week SCHOOL GLUE 
Seventh week PLUMBING REPAIRS (Part One)