Graveyard Shift

It was my shift. The temperature seemed colder than ever.

Despite the fact that I had my cup of tea cradled in my hands, it’s as though I’m in a freezer. I went to check on my patients, most of them asleep soundly. I was hovering near the doorway of one and overheard a lady seemingly talking to someone, laughing merrily away. I didn’t come back to her until I was sure her conversation had ended, then I asked who she spoke to.

A child.

Strange, I don’t recall seeing one, let alone the door opening. Smiling nervously, I stepped out. I wasn’t sure what compelled me to look up, nothing there. The lights blackout momentarily, I heard a child’s laughter.. I turned to the end of the hallway, no one’s there. Footsteps sounded, something tugged on my hair. The lights came on.

A dismembered hand, connected to nothing.