The Babysitter

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1:01before you hit send. Your ideas will get a boost, while still sounding natural, credible, and just the way you want. For nearly 17 years, Grammarly has been the standard for responsible AI. It's the premier writing tool that 93% of users trust to get more work done. In a world of generic AI, don't sound like everyone else, with Grammarly, you never will. Download Grammarly for free at Grammarly.com. That's Grammarly.com. MUSIC Hello, I'm Wilkins' stories all the time. Glad you are here. Let's get into it. Kali didn't see her friend Apple until she was standing right beside her and jumped in surprise at the sound of her voice. Woeve Sori did not mean to scare you Apple-apologized. I just had a quick question. She paused. Actually, a huge favor to be honest. Kali rolled her eyes. I know what you're thinking, Apple said. I ask you for big favors all the time, but this one is actually huge.

2:02There's something in it for you this time, though. She rubbed her fingers together. Kali asked how much? 300 bucks, Apple replied. 300 G's, apps. What do you need me to do? Kill the principal. Apple smiled. Her mouth opened to its fullest and reminded Kali of the guy on her dad's Error's Myth poster in the garage. Tile of something while other. Yes, but no, Apple finally said. It's a babysitting gig that pays 300, raised her eyebrows. Well, it's overnight. For the whole weekend, Apple's cheeks flushed. You'd be watching an eight-year-old girl and a 12-year-old bother at the house while the parents go to a silent retreat. Kali asked what's a silent retreat? It's where you go somewhere remote and everyone hands out without any technology or cell service or anything and nobody can talk the whole time, Apple said. Why? Just to reconnect with yourself. It's a good thing to do every once in a while. Why do you know so much about it? Kali asked, feeling she was crouching at the surface of something Apple didn't want to discuss. But well, Apple shuffled in place.

3:05She adjusted the backpack hanging from her left shoulder. I'm kinda gonna go there too with my parents. But don't say this is. A hippie thing. Kali finished and laughed. You know that after naming their daughter, Apple. Nobody is surprised by your mom's doing hippie things, right? Apple smiled. She knew Kali only gave her a hard time out of love. All the other kids smiled and pretended to accept her, but she knew they all sneered and joked behind her back. Not Kali though. Kali put the jokes up front and backed them up with love. Apple found her far more accepting and inclusive than everyone else who put love up front and hid the jokes behind. So will you do it? Apple asked. I'm their usual sitter, so I told them I would find someone I trusted. That basically means you. Wow, you really know how to better me up, don't you? Kali gave her a friend in knowing look. Yeah, I'll do it. The bell's gonna ring, so just text me the details. Apple threw her arms around Kali whose arms were too full of books to return the embrace. Then Apple was washed away by the rapid river

4:06of high school students rushing off into their classroom tributaries for the next period. Kali couldn't help but feel a little irritated at Apple once she had the specifics of the babysitting gig. The silent retreat wasn't on just any old weekend. It was that coming weekend, three days away. How I wish she had some righteous reason to be upset. Some plan she would have to cancel, some promise she had made to someone else. But her weekend happened to be wide open. She would be babysitting Riley, eight, and Dean 12 for not one, but two nights. She had to be there at seven on Friday evening and the parents wouldn't get home until around seven Sunday evening. Kali started having second thoughts. As hantalizing $300 suddenly seemed cheap. It might have been enough for Apple who apparently knew these kids already. But for Kali to sleep in a strange home for two nights and spend two whole days with children she had never met, she would need a little more incentive. She texted this to Apple who didn't respond for a long time. Kali started to think maybe her friend would find someone else instead. She hopes so. But no, Apple replied a while later.

5:07They said they can do three dollars, 50 cents. As a high school senior, Kali had been shopping for colleges. She knew what it was going to cost. It's hard for an 18 year old to wrap the head around what $50,000 a year truly means. But Kali knew it was a hefty chunk of change. With that bill looming over her future, she didn't feel it would be wise to turn down $350 just because she felt uncomfortable. After checking that it was okay with her parents and convincing them this wasn't just a cover for her weekend rendezvous with a new boyfriend, Kali told Apple she would accept. At 6.55 on Friday evening, Kali knocked on the unfamiliar door at 900 one-stained bag avenue, the address texted to her by Apple. A stern looking woman in business casual tire opened the door. Her horn rimmed glasses and thick maroon lipstick made her look like someone you wouldn't want to say the wrong thing to. So Kali stayed quiet. Good to meet you, Kali. Why don't you come in? The intimidating woman stepped aside, allowing Kali into a large, tired entryway. The walls were white. The tile and trim were rusty orange, almost red.

6:08A curved staircase and the right lead up to the second floor at a glittering shunnelia hung down from the ceiling two stories above their heads. The kids are up in their rooms. I would introduce you, but we're running late, said the woman. You know how to negotiate, so I assume you're smart enough to figure out the rest of what you need to know. Kali shocked at the thinly veiled dick. The kids mostly take care of themselves. You're just here to make sure they don't, you know, burn down the house as they say. What should I sleep? Kali asked. She was glad this woman, Francis, was in a hurry to leave. She didn't want her around any longer than she needed to be. She had expected parents more similar to Apple's mom since they were doing the same, heavy stuff over the weekend. It seemed these parents were just a power couple acknowledging the trendiness of holistic living. Francis said, I turned over our bed. Our room is upstairs on the right. Otherwise, the couch pulls out. You can decide what's best for you. Then our, here's Matthew. Matthew, this is Kali. Please write her a check so we can leave. She even spoke to her husband like a child.

7:09The man who had come down the stairs was wearing dark khakis and a sweater with a white collar of a dress shirt poking out around his neck. He had a neatly trimmed beard and round glasses. His appearance made him look soft, safe, passive. The desires traveled up and down Kali in a way that made his quorum. Good to meet you, Kali. I'll cut the check, Matthew said. He disappeared through the door under the second floor balcony. Looking to fill the silence, Kali asks, so do the kids like movers. Francis' hailshopped through her nose and said, don't expect the children to spend any time together. They don't get along. Dean insists on playing a character rally would rather not so say it with. I usually just let them be. Kali got the feeling Francis was quite good at letting her children be. She was more than happy to let the siblings hang out in their respective rooms, though. In her backpack, which she unloaded from her shoulder and set to the side, she had brought plenty to do. Matthew, who Kali guessed never let anyone call him that, materialized in the doorway with a check. Did you forget anything? Francis asked her husband.

8:10If I forgot, how would I oh yes, hash, she scolded. It seemed even meek Matthew wasn't immune to the opportunity for a good dad joke. Well, unless the babysitter has any more questions, I think we should go. Note, I'm all good, Kali said. I'll just go upstairs and introduce myself to your kids. If either of the parents call her subtle derision, they didn't react. I'll write in a car, Matthew. Francis spoke to her husband like a child again. Kali felt grateful that the retreat they were headed to cut them off from the rest of the world. As if reading her thoughts, Francis spun around again to face Kali. Oh, one last thing. We won't have any contact once we arrive at the lake. I put the emergency number up on the fridge. If something goes wrong, call that number, tell them what happened, and if it rises to the level of urgency which should require our attention, the attendants will tell us. With a curtain odd, Francis turned and exited the house. Matthew gave Kali a slightly more gracious nod and the hint of a smile, but Kali saw his eyes dropped to her chest before he turned away again. She had his money, that's all that matter. As the front door shut behind Matthew,

9:12Kali looked up the stairs. Supposedly, there were two bedrooms, each containing a child up there. She decided to go meet them. The plush white carpet of the stairs padded her every footstep. The third stair from the top was the first to make any noise at all. They'd grown beneath her foot, but then the last two were silent. Kali stood at the top, looking down in across the narrow hallway. As Francis had described, the master bedroom was off to the right. Through the open door, Kali could see it also had a small bathroom she could use. A faux bathroom was just across the hall from the master bedroom. On the other side of the stairs were three doors, two on the right, and one on the left. The one on the left, based on how much space was available, had to be a closet, Kali decided. So the other two doors contained her charges for the weekend. She knocked on the first one. Yeah, a smaller version of Francis' voice ask. Kali cracked open a door. The girl, Riley, was lying on her stomach on her bed with her head propped up in her hands. For face, too mature for her age, Kali thought, reflected life from the iPad propped up in front of her.

10:13An ex-dubrant voice was coming through the device. Hey, I'm Kali. Just wanted to say hi since I'll be here all weekend. Riley paused whatever video she was watching and raised her eyebrows at the babysitter. I thought Apple was coming, she said. Oh, well, Apple is actually going to the same place as your parents. I'm her best friend though, so hopefully we can have just as much fun together. Riley's eyes flick back to her screen. Kali said, well, let me know if you need anything. I'm going to go say hi to your brother. Riley sighed. I wouldn't bother. She pressed play on her video. How should the door? Hello, it is Ryan and we could all use an extra bright spot in our day, couldn't we? Just to make up for things like sitting in traffic, doing the dishes, counting your steps, you know, all the mundane stuff. That is why I'm such a big fan of Chamba Casino. Chamba Casino has all your favorite social casino-style games that you can play for free anytime, anywhere with daily bonuses. So sign up now at chambacasino.com. That's chambacasino.com. No purchase necessary VGW group void

11:15were prohibited by law on 21-plus terms and conditions apply. Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees that I don't really need it. Infliction is killing me. Who cares? Big retailers and making record profits. That's why we support the Durban Marshall credit card bill. See, banks and credit unions help small businesses make pay roll. This bill would cut the vital resources they need. While increasing Megastore profits. They deserve it. Don't they? Tell Congress, stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores paid for by the Electronic Payments Coalition. She took five steps to the next door, noting how quiet the floor was. Same thick carpet from the stairs padded her footsteps. How he hoped the kids went out to sneak around at night because there was no way she would hear them. She knocked in the second door, but received no answer. A little nervous to open the bedroom door on a 12-year-old boy, Callie grit the knob loudly and gave it a dramatic rattling twist. Even then, she opened his floor. The room was dark and red. Red light covered everything.

12:16Lack of curtains were drawn shut over the windows. The boy was downing directly in front of a heat lamp dangling from the ceiling. Callie saw the silhouette of his back. He was wearing big headphones, and Callie could fintly hear music that sounded like an olympian and trash bin rolling down a cement hell being chased by a screaming pick. No wonder he didn't hear me knock, she thought. She knocked hard on the wall and half-shouted, hey? Dean's head whipped around. With one hand, he pushed his headphones back slightly. In the other, he held a wriggling rat. What? Callie gasped. Are you the babysitter? Dean asked and phased. What is that? Callie demanded pointing at the rat. Haven't you seen a rat before? Why is it inside the house? Dean stepped aside, and Callie saw he had been standing in front of a large glass case. A terrarium. Unperched on an artificial lock behind the glass was a thick, yellowish snake with big brown spots across its back. Callie gasped again. She hated snakes. Nothing scared her more. She stepped back and shielded herself with the door.

13:17A smoke-green cracked across Dean's face. He tossed the live rat into the terrarium and closed the lid. The snake snapped forward and before Callie could blink it had twisted its sizable body around the road in three times. Only the rat's tail was moving now, flicking up and down, slower and slower. She's a bull python. Dean said matter of factly. She's pretty right. Um, can we talk out here? Hallie asked. Dean wiped his hands on his pants and stepped toward her. Sure, what's up? He said. That they never, like, gets up, does it? He let it go free? Sometimes, just around my room, Dean said. But if you're scared, I won't do it while you're here. That would be really great, thanks. So who are you? Dean asked. Oh, sorry, my name's Callie. I'm Mappel's friend. I'm here to babysit this weekend. Yeah, I guess that part. I'm Dean. Why is your room so dark? Callie asked. Dean shrugged. It's just the way Velak likes it. Who? The snake.

14:18I named her after that demon in the conjuring. Oh, Callie said. That's well, that's something. Do you like horror movies? My sister never comes out of her room, so maybe we can watch one later. Callie was surprised this snake feeding. Horror-loving metalhead kid was the friendlier of the two siblings. He seemed almost eager to spend time with her, but didn't creep her out like his dad had. He genuinely seemed like he wanted a friend, or maybe a parent. Your parents are okay with you watching that stuff. Dean said. Well, I guess they don't really know what I watch. We don't talk that much, you know. Um, sorry, but I don't really handle those movies well. Callie felt a growing soft spot for Dean. She gave him a sympathetic nod, but as she looked over his shoulder, she saw the rats' hind legs disappeared down the snake's rope. It's tail twitched. Callie looked away quickly. Nice meeting you, she said. She briskly traveled down the hall to the master bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She ran to the toilet and dropped to her knees. She heaving gagged, but thankfully did not puke. Callie returned to the entry we want

15:18so stomach had settled, and she could stand without feeling dizzy. Her back-back wasn't where she had left it. She scanned the entire foie and didn't see it anywhere. Hey guys, she called up the stairs. Unsurprisingly, she didn't get an answer. She yelled, hey, making it clear she meant business. One door opened and Dean appeared with his headphones wrapped around the back of his neck. He leaned over the railing. What's up? He asked. Did you do something with my back-back? He said, no, want me to ask Riley? Please, Callie replied impatiently. The boy turned and Callie heard a door creak open. At least those mixed some sound she thought. A moment later, Riley screamed something Callie didn't catch and the door slammed shut. Dean reappeared, red faced. She said she doesn't have it. Thanks for checking, Callie said. She didn't trust these kids, but she didn't know them well enough to go prying in their rooms either. She was less than 10 minutes into her 48-hour assignment. Those 10 minutes had not voted well. Hey, have you guys eaten dinner already?

16:19She asked Dean. He nodded. All right, well, I'm just gonna look around for my back and then I don't know, watch some TV or something. Dean nodded again. He put his headphones over his ears and vanished. Callie explored the rest of the house, which didn't take long. The house had clearly been designed to look more impressive than it actually was. It looked big from the outside, but was actually quite shallow. The large entryway painted white to make it appear even larger, gave an impression of wealth and status, but it hid the tiny, if well furnished, kitchen and cramped living room beyond. And that essentially was the whole house. Callie was pretty sure her family's humble ranch-style home had more usable square footage. She located the emergency number on the fridge, then filled a pot with water to boil for macaroni and cheese. She reached over the pot, found the right knob for the burner and turned it all the way to high. She attracted her arm suddenly to steam shot up from the uncovered pot of water. The steam was so hot it left a red mark along the back of her arm. Callie stood in complete shock, staring at the water which it automatically jumped to a boil.

17:20Was this some kind of new stove technology? How hot did a stove have to get to instantly boil a pot of gold water? Callie dumped in the noodles, then searched for a stirring spoon. She found one in a drawer, then returned to the pot to see it had gone still. No steam rose from the water's flat surface anymore. She gave the noodles a stir, but no steam was released. Thessonantly, she dipped a finger into the water. It was cold, impossible. Callie left the burner alone, and after a few minutes, the water began to boil normally. She was able to finish making her macaroni without incident, but she couldn't stop thinking about the water. She wanted to call up about it, but of course, apps was at the silent retreat. If Callie wanted to talk to her, she would have to use the same emergency number frances had left in the fridge. Callie took her mac and cheese to the couch and turned on the TV. She didn't want to start something new. She felt too off-kilter and uneasy already, so she put on family guard to pass the time. The order, her backpack, the strange quietness of this house. Individually, each of these made her uncomfortable, but together, they frightened her more

18:21than she was willing to admit. How was she supposed to sleep in this weird house with that snake down the hall? Dean said he wouldn't let it out of the room, but accidents happen. She pictured the rats' tail twitching as it hung out of the python's split drawers. As she watched the show, Callie straddled the line between ignoring the noises from the forehead of monitoring them. The kids were old enough to come get her if they needed something she thought, but a shriek made her think otherwise. Still chewing, Callie rented the stairs. She could see Riley's bedroom door was cracked open. The girl was still screaming inside. Riley? Callie called as she bolted up the stairs. Dean's door was open too, the red light spilling out onto the carpet. She pushed open Riley's door and saw the girl standing up near the head of her bed, backed all the way into the furthest corner. What is it? Callie asked desperately. Riley continued screaming and pointing at something low behind the door. Terrified, she was about to see the snake loose inches from her feet. Callie stepped back to peer between the hinges. Please just be Dean with the nerve gun or something she thought. But no, it was much smaller.

19:21Callie had to bend nearly half-right over to see what was moving behind the door. One of the formerly silent boards in the whole suddenly decided to groan it as if stretching after a long nap. The creature behind the door turned toward the sound as I was locking with Callie's. It raised its nose, showing sharp teeth protruding from its pointed jaw. The creature was a rat. Dean, Callie shot it. This was what an iron to the gig. I know already she was golden one of the children. With her situation continually worsening, Callie decided to put a dead stop to this misbehavior. Dean had seemed innocent but Callie wondered if he had been hiding his true nature. Down the hall, a toilet flushed. A faucet turned on. Splashing. What hands on dry jeans? The bathroom door knob. What? Dean asked, sounding as stupid as his expression when he exited the bathroom. He'd urad off of your sister's room, Callie ordered. Riley was still screaming. Dean run past Callie into Riley's room and search frantically around. It's behind the door, you idiot. Riley screamed.

20:22Dean spun, then immediately dove for the room. He caught it definitely with one fluid motion and took it back to his room. Callie followed. Why, she asked. Why would you do that to her? I thought you two left each other alone. We do, Dean pleaded, taking on his innocent alter ego. Honestly, I don't know what happened. Check the case yourself. There's no way he could have gotten out on his own. I didn't think he did, Callie said, truly. But I was, I was in the bathroom. You saw me come out. Dean looked down defeated. He should have seen you coming. I didn't see you go in though, Callie retorted. She crossed her arms and leaned on his doorframe. Yet I know, Dean replied. I don't want any of this for the rest of the weekend. What? I bet if I have to call that emergency number, your mom is going to be pissed. No, please, Dean shut it and step forward. Callie already might run at her. Don't call mom. I promise I'll make sure there's no more rats in Riley's room. I promise. Should be easy enough, Callie thought. Just don't put any more in there.

21:23Callie threw away the rest of the mac and cheese after it went cold. These people could afford it. She didn't feel like finishing the show, either. She hadn't checked on Riley. Oh well. The kid would have come down if anything was wrong and Callie wanted to shower. As she addressed, Callie was grateful for the locks on both the master bedroom door and the master bathroom door. She felt confident that we had little Dean couldn't possibly spy on her while she got cleaned up. That is, unless he climbed all the way up to the second story to look into the small window in the bathroom. She wondered why any bathroom would ever have a window in it. She cranked the shower up just about as hot as it could go and took her sweet time. If Dean had been able to climb up to that window, he wouldn't have been able to see anything anyway thanks to the cloud of steam. After another five minutes of sore, Callie shut off the water and felt around for the glass door. It was fogged and dripping. She drew back the door and set one foot out of the shower. It felt cold. Of course, air of any temperature might have felt cold after such a hot shower, but Callie could tell this air was colder than it should have been. And with horror, she realized the cloud of steam had vanished.

22:26How quickly it had evaporated. It was impossible. Like water instantly boiling, she thought. But unfortunately, there was a very reasonable physical explanation this time. The window was open. The window which had suddenly been closed and locked before she got in the shower. And her clothes were gone. Anik, disgust, unba. Hello, it is Ryan. And I was on a flight the other day playing one of my favorite social spin slot games on chumbacaceno.com. I looked over the person sitting next to me. You know what they were doing? They were also playing chumbacaceno. Everybody's loving having fun with it. Chumbacaceno's home to hundreds of casino-style games that you can play for free anytime, anywhere. So sign up now at chumbacaceno.com to claim your free welcome bonus. It's chumbacaceno.com and live the chumbac. Sponsored by chumbacaceno. No purchase necessary VGW group void were prohibited by law of 21-plus terms and conditions apply. Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees that I don't really need it. Infliction is killing me. I don't care.

23:26Big retailers are making record profits. That's why we support the Durban Marshall credit card bill. See, things in credit unions help small businesses make pay roll. This bill would cut the vital resources they need. While increasing Megastore profits, they deserve it. Don't they? Tell Congress stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores paid for by the Electronic Payments Coalition. The emotions wrap themselves around Calibinitha towel. Once covered, she stood on her tiptoes of the window and looked out. She thought if she was lucky, she could catch the creep who stole her clothes before he got away. But no one was outside. No ladders or anything else that could be used to ascend to the second story. Cali slammed the window and locked it for what little good that would apparently do. But wait, no. She was being ridiculous. There was absolutely no way to unlock that window from the outside, so it must have been open from within. She put it all together. Dean had figured out how to unlock the bedroom and bathroom doors had snuck in, taken her clothes and tossed them out the window. Cali pondered this as she opened the bathroom door, not noticing that the lock clicked,

24:30indicating it had either remained locked or been locked from the inside again. Cali rifled through Francis Stiff clothes, quickly sliding every shirt, plows, and dressing the closet aside. Finally, she thought to check the dresser and found some white soap pajamas with a blue floral print. They were a little big, but better than nothing. Dean? She stormed into the hallway stomping toward the boze room. She didn't necessarily expect to find him there. He was probably out in the garage trying on her underwear for all she knew. As if to defy her imagination, Dean opened his bedroom door just as Cali stepped up to it. He said all too casually, give them back Cali demanded. Give what back? My clothes creep. I know what. Dean's ignorant mug bag to be slapped. His shaggy hair fell into his eyes and he whipped his head to the side to clear them. Cali thought this kid is a stereotype of trouble. She took my clothes from the bathroom while I was in the shower, Cali screamed. Riley opened her door and peaked out. This doesn't concern you. Riley, Cali said without turning around. She didn't hear the door close, but didn't care.

25:32I swear I didn't do anything Dean said. I've just been in my room, I promise. Oh yeah. Then, who opened the window in the bathroom? It was locked. Someone opened it from inside, Cali said with a prosecutor's confidence. Dean looked Riley as if she might help him out. Cali now turned to look at the grinning little girl. She could tell Riley loved watching her big brother squirm. Cali wondered how often he was held accountable for his little misdeeds. Let me look in your room then. Cali demanded as she turned back to Dean. I don't think now, Cali pushed past him. No, wait, I need to the beta-sitter's horrified shriek cut him off. Four still rats lay on the floor. Their necks were broken. The python watched their cooling bodice lazily from its cage as a digester different. I told you I wouldn't let any more get into Riley's room, Dean said meekly. So your solution was to just, just murder them. Well, I couldn't figure out how that one got out, so yeah, I can still feed them to Valleck, so I won't waste them. That's it, Cali put both of her hands on top of head. Tell me where my clothes are and we'll just forget about it, okay?

26:34I don't want to be in this room. I don't want to talk to you. I don't even want to be around you. I just want my clothes. And my backpack. I still don't know where that went. And it has all my stuff in it. Dean looked like he might actually cry. He said I'm telling the truth. I don't know what happened to your clothes or your backpack. I'll help you look if you want. Oh, so you can play the little hero and magically find everything? No thanks, I'll find it all myself. Cali stoned out and slammed the door. Riley had wisely retreated into her own room already. Just go to bed. Cali shot it over her shoulder. She shot herself into the master bedroom too angry to do anything else. Since Dean could have apparently unlocked the door somehow, she propped a chair under the knob like he see people do in movies. She wasn't sure it actually worked, but it made her comfortable enough to get into bed. There she stayed until morning. When Cali emerged from Frances and Matty's bedroom a little after eight, she expected the kids to be down in a kitchen getting breakfast or in the living room watching TV. But Frances hadn't been kidding.

27:34They really did stay in their rooms all the time. Sleep had refreshed her, given her a clear pair of eyes for the day. She decided it was time to take a new approach with the kids, with Dean in particular, but she would include Riley to avoid seeming like she was single in him out. You catch more flies with honey, as they say. Cali knocks off the on Riley's door first. She wasn't sure how late kids usually slept. The door opened and Riley smiled up at her, already fully dressed. I Cali, you're gonna make some breakfast. The little girl asked, I code. I was hoping to talk to you and your brother downstairs first if that's okay. Cali thought the trick might be getting the two of them out together. Oh sure. Riley didn't seem too enticed about the idea. Why don't you meet me down there? I'll get Dean. We'll talk, then I can make whatever you want for breakfast. It goes. Riley asked hopefully. Cali chuckled, nodded, and rubbed the top of Riley's head, then sent her downstairs. Yo, Dean, she's set into this closed door she knocked. You up yet? There was no verbal response from the other side,

28:34but Cali heard movement. She waited patiently until the door cracked open. Dean's messy hair covered most of his face and he was wearing a shirt. He apparently, unlike his sister, was not an early riser. It's so early at Dean's set. Cali nodded sympathetically. Yeah, I know, but we need to talk. Your sister's waiting downstairs. I need you there too. Is this still about your clothes? Dean asked. Cali said it's about everything. I'll see you downstairs. She turned away and Dean closed his door again. Five minutes later, the trio sat in the living room. Cali took the big armchair in the corner, so Dean and Riley would have to sit in the couch where she could see them both at once. She loved how this made Dean's quorum. Okay, listen, she started. We've got two whole days to get through together and I know we'll all go crazy if it's like last night the whole time. The kids subtly nodded. So here's the deal. We can forget about everything and start over. I just want my things back. I'm going to make breakfast so I'll be in the kitchen. While I'm down here, I want my clothes and my backpack to magically reappear on your parents bed.

29:36Okay, I won't ask any questions. I wouldn't point any fingers if my stuff comes back. We can all just relax this weekend to guard it. Dean looked up and opened his mouth to say something but it never escaped his mind. He shut his mouth, looked back down and nodded. All right, run upstairs and let me make some eagles. That's it. Riley asked, she actually sounded disappointed. Yeah, that's it. Riley slid off the couch and ran to the stairs. You two, Dean, Cali ordered as she stood. Dean nodded again and slunk out of the living room. Cali found a cup in one of the cupboards above the sink. It was a heavy thick class. High quality, she filled it from the tap, brought it to her lips and tipped it back. With her eyes closed, she didn't see the steam, sculpting water splashed into her open mouth. She shrieked and spat at the same time, dropping the glass in the sink where it spit into. The rest of the water splashed out and steamed up the cold metal basin. Cali's tongue had been burned raw. Her lips and the roof of her mouth had been scorched as well. She double-checked the tap. Sure, she had lifted the handle towards cold. She definitely had. She tested the water. It came out cold, even when she turned in the hot water. It continued to come out cold until it slowly warm. What the hell, Cali wandered aloud, unwilling to touch her tongue to rip off her mouth yet, she went to the fridge, found some cold-bappled juice and drank it from a new glass if it cooled her tongue.

30:38But only time would heal it, unable to solve the mystery. Cali put a breakfast of eggos and oranges together, then called the kids back down. They passed her with worry-guns as in the stairs. Francis and Matthew's bed was the same, and Team S. Cali had left earlier. No clothes. No back-back, she gritted her teeth. She'd given those kids a chance. The chance to make things right and to have a nice smooth weekend. She would not give them another while the kids were busy eating dancers. Cali decided to have a look around her rooms. She started in Dean's room, assuming she would find everything there and be done. This python watched her look behind and under the bed. And in all the dresser draws, the back-back in particular couldn't have been hidden anywhere else in this small room. And that was the most important item at this point. It hit her phone, her computer, and all of her extra clothes in it. So then it was onto Rally's room. Rally had a big closet where Cali looked first. A walkin' with clothes hanging on either side beneath lunch shelves. Her rectangular skirt adored to the attic rested above her head, Cali ran her hands along the shelves where she couldn't see and quickly determined her things were not there. When she checked under the bed, her hand brushed against something that slayed into the light. It looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. The item's shape was flat, rounded triangle with a hole in the center. The bottom was padded with felt behind her.

31:39The closet door she had left open slowly, began to close. What are you doing? Dean's voice made Cali hit her head on the bottom of Rally's bed. She granted and removed herself from the small space. The closet door clicked shut. She and Dean both stared at it. I must have. Cali trailed off, Dean shrugged. Cali said, I'm, since you asked, I'm looking for my stuff. It seems whoever took it still doesn't want to give it back. Look, I didn't take your things. I don't know what else to say. Dean said there was no argument or defiance in his voice. Only pleading surrender. Well, then don't expect her much fun this weekend. I'm going to call my parents and have them bring me some clothes. And after that, I'm going to sit down in the living room and fund off the TV, your new sister can stay in your rooms and leave me alone. As she said it, Cali realized this probably didn't sound like much of a punishment. Where do you get that? Dean pointed to the triangular object in Cali's hand. I found it done here. Cali replied, she's always taking my stuff. Dean said, huffing into the room. He took the object out of Cali's hand and of under the bed. So now you're stealing your sister's stuff to? Cali asked, it's not stealing if it's yours. Dean replied, emerging with a folded game board in his hand, she stole this out of my room. What is it? Cali asked, but Dean laughed without answering.

32:39He didn't actually need to. Seeing the game board made Cali realize what the triangular object with the hole in the center was up on jet. The only gamepiece needed to play Ouija, what in the world was little Riley trying to do, top to the dead, alone again. Cali suddenly felt unsafe. She stood, then froze. She felt watched. She felt like someone was about to touch her shoulder. She thought of the closet door closing itself. The closet door directly behind her and ran out of the room. Dean's door was already closed fine. He could stay in there. Downstairs, Cali found Riley running her finger through the left of his syrup on her plate and looking at clean, time for you to go back upstairs. Cali said, did your clothes come back? Riley, but you know I didn't take them, right? Riley looked hurt. Riley, I need to make a phone call. Can you please just go upstairs fine? A look of an Ignatius swallowed the hat on her face as Riley pushed her plate away and stomped out of the room. Hali used the landline to call her mom. She didn't pick up probably because of the unfamiliar number so Cali left a message asking to have some clothes dropped off. She mentioned that she had lost her phone so if either of her parents needed to talk to her, they would have to call the house. Phone rang just two minutes after Cali hung up.

33:40Hey, Cal, how's it going over there? Her mom asked. Cali said, it's not great mom. These kids are causing some problems like hiding my things from me. That's why I don't have my phone. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it turns up. Yeah, me too. Hey, can you bring me some clothes today? After a pregnant pause, Cali's mom said, I'm so sorry. I texted you, but now I'm realizing you couldn't have seen it. What mom? Well, your dad and I haven't gone away just the two of us in a long, long time. With he being busy the whole weekend, we thought. Well, we thought it'd be fun to fly out to Vegas for a couple of days. You're telling me you're in Nevada right now? Hali asked. We booked a late fight last night and got in early this morning. We just checked in at the mirage. I'm sorry, honey. That's all right. Have fun. I'll see you when you get home. Her mom started to say I love you, but Cali hung up, not feeling very lovely at the moment. She watched the TV until a stomach-grabbed for lunch.

34:41She found some frozen pizzas in the freezer and thought she could take some up to the kids so they wouldn't even have to come out to eat. Tyler Reddick here from 2311 Racing. Victory Lane? Yeah, it's even better with Chamba by my side. Race to ChambaCasino.com. Let's Chamba. Don't purchase necessary. VTW Group, void work prohibited by law. CTNC's, 21 plus, sponsored by ChambaCasino. Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees, but I don't really need it. Infliction is killing me. What do you care? Big retailers and making record profits. That's why we support the Durban Marshall credit card bill. See, things in credit unions help small businesses make payroll. This bill would cut the vital resources they need. While increasing megastore profits, they deserve it. Tell Congress, stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores paid for by the Electronic Payments Coalition. She set the oven to 425 and returned to the couch to wait for it to heat up. A noxious odour snuck into the living room while Cali waited for the oven.

35:41It burned her sinuses and made her stomach hurt. At first, she didn't make the connection. She was actually on her way upstairs to demand to know what Dean was burning when she passed by the oven and saw the plume of black smoke spilling out of its fence. She shut the oven off and opened the door. A bowl of smoke shot out at her as if from a cannon. She stumbled back against the counter-hacking. The smoke detectors in both the kitchen and living room-started blaring. Cali? Riley's nervous force came from the stairs a prayerly dough padded feet rushing down. Stayed there, Cali commanded. She coughed some more. The smoke refused to clear. She turned on the fan above the stove, but it still lingered. Actually helped me open some of these windows. She shouted into the entryway. She could barely see Riley floating like a rath through the smoke in a long night dress. Together, they opened every window on the first floor of the house. Cali returned to the kitchen when she thought it was safe to breathe in there again. A blackened heap of melted something sat on the top rack. She dawned of a mitt and pulled the rack out. Few cippers gave up the mystery.

36:42The overbaked item was her backpack. What is it? Riley asked from a safe distance. Cali didn't answer. Couldn't answer. This went too far. Had her backpack been in there the whole time, waiting for this to happen. It didn't matter. Dean had to pay. Raidseathed under her skin and on her sore town. Cali grabbed a pair of scissors protruding from the knife block by the sink. She cut a slit in the melted polys so next to the tops of her at the teeth of which had been welded shut. Cold air flooded through her borrowed pajamas as a breeze passed through the house dispersing the lost wats of smoke. She checked her phone first. The screen had shattered and turned brown near the corners. A blackened mass protruded from the bottom like a tumor. She checked her laptop next hoping she might still be able to send messages with that. The MacBook's metal exterior was in fine shape, but when she opened it up, she saw the same brownish ray discoloration that infected her phone screen. The laptop refused to turn on, even though she had put it in the back back with a full battery. Another minute in the oven and Cali wondered if that battery would have exploded.

37:42For charging cables were an unrecognizable mass of blackened rubber and scorched wire. The extra set of clothes she had packed some yoga pants and a t-shirt smelly and discolored the yoga pants wouldn't even unfold the smoke detected in the living room had stopped on its own and now the one in a kitchen shut up as well Cali turned and saw Riley standing beneath it on a chair with a pencil and hand-thanks. Cali said flatly then, out of the corner of her, I should saw Dean standing in the doorway. I didn't do it, he said automatically. I didn't say you did, Cali responded, although her voice betrayed the suspicion. You were going to Dean said, I'm calling your parents. This is too much. What they paid me to be here once even cover my phone, that alone my computer and now I don't have any clothes at all. Please don't Dean said, looking down. Riley left the room. You think I'm going to listen to anything you have to say after this? Kid, you better pray, I don't see you. Or maybe get you charged with attempted murder. What would have happened if my laptop blew up and caught the whole of a non-fire, huh? Your sister's room is right up there. You could have killed us both. But I didn't do it, Dean said. Finally, seeming as angry as Cali knew

38:43he was beneath his call for salt. Then, who did? Riley? Come on, kid, I'm not an idiot. She hates me and Dean said back to his meek self. She wants you to think it's me. Please. No, really, I bet she put my rod in her own room too. She's done stuff like that before because she knows mom and dad think I'm weird and don't like me very much, but they love her to death. Even if that's true, Cali started then softened her tone when she saw Dean and started crying. Even if that's all true, I don't think she could have reached that bathroom window, so who opened that? Dean sniffled, looked up, then looked back down. Cali saw conflict in that brief flash of his eyes. He had been about to say something he thought better of. Cali took a deep breath and caught the stench of smoke again. It was lace in her hair. Okay, new deal. I'm going to go take another show. When I come back out, I want to full honest explanation about what's been going on. If I'm satisfied, I won't call your parents yet. But if I have a single doubt about your story, I'm calling and telling them I'm leaving, so they'll have to come back.

39:43Assing they won't be too happy about that. Dean stood still as Cali brushed past him to go upstairs. Just as she passed, Dean muttered something she didn't catch. What was that? She asked whipping around. She has helped Dean repeated. Who Riley? Dean nodded. His couldn't sound crazy, but I've heard her talking to someone. She goes in her closet and shuts the door. Sometimes, sometimes she talks back to herself in a weird voice. You're gonna have to do better than that, Cali replied. She went upstairs to shower. This time, she locked both doors and put the chair under the door knob again. She shed the smoky soap pajamas and toned on the water. She tested it with the back of her hand until it felt just right, then stepped under the steam. The second her back was turned, absorbing the full blast of the well-pressure shower, the water turned, scolding hot. So hot it instantly fogged up a showered door. Cali screamed and shot her paint and jumped into the corner away from the painful stream. She couldn't reach the door without putting her arm in the burning water. She couldn't reach the dial either. She could see it, barely turned the quarter

40:43of the way toward the hottest setting. What is wrong with the sauce? She yelled to no one but herself. Steam now filled the whole room again. Cali slid along the shower wall, getting flatbed droplets of hot water as she reached for the dial. Just as her fingertips finally touched the slippery metal, she heard a muted shriek from somewhere else in the house. She wondered if one of the kids had tried to wash their hands and been burned away she had by the shower. Finally, Cali managed to kill the shower stream. She wrapped herself in a towel and went into the bedroom. She cracked up in the bedroom door and called out as everything okay out there. He let his snake loose, Riley screamed from her bedroom. Cali instinctively slammed the door shut and frantically looked around for Dean Python. He was dead. If his parents didn't hurry back after she called them, which she was absolutely going to do now, she was going to kill the boy herself. When she felt sure enough the snake wasn't hiding in the room, Cali hurriedly put on another set of pajamas. Where is it now? She called through the door. I don't know, Riley screamed. Cali slid along the wall until she reached Riley's doorway.

41:44The girl was up on her bed as she had been when the rat was in her room. Where is Dean? Cali asked. I don't know. Great, so he lets the snake out and disappears. One lost her all before I bring the fury of his parents done on him. Okay, just stay there, she told Riley. The poor child was in tears. Can you check in a closet? Riley asked. Cali swallowed hard and nodded. She opened the closet door. There were no pythons inside. Cali tried to close the door, but Riley moaned. Did you check the whole thing? Riley did. Please, Cali. Everything within her fought to stay out, but she stepped into the closet anyway. The door slammed shut behind her. Riley? Cali called. The door was locked. Riley? She shouted at her. Beside a sliver of like crawling under the door, she was in pitch darkness. Something behind her moved. It slid along the floor. Cali screamed for Riley once more as she kicked blindly. She remembered the way the snake had snapped around the rat the day before.

42:45Would it be able to do that to her? As panic rose within her, Cali grabbed one of the high shelves and pulled herself up. With some effort, she managed to bring one leg up then the other until she was on all fours in the shelf. Python below her hissed. Riley helped me. Cali screamed. She was so terrified of the snake she didn't stop to consider it could have been Riley who slammed the door. Riley who had lured her into the closet. It was Riley. In a silence that followed her cry for help, Cali realized Dean had been telling her the truth. It had been Riley the whole time. Her head bumped the ceiling, but rather than give her a lump, the ceiling gave way. Cali remembered the scuttle door she had seen up there. The attic. She didn't know if it would offer her an escape, but it would at least put something between her and the loose python. She nudged the scuttle door side and climbed into the musty attic. Something tickled her cheek, causing her to scream and nearly fall back through the opening, but when she batted the thing away, she realized it was only a bead accord. She gave it tug, and thankfully the attic lit up. Cali dropped the scuttle door back over the opening to seal a self off

43:45from the snake and child below. It was immediately apparent the attic would often know her escape, only temporary protection. Insolations build out of every corner. The whole attic was smaller than the master bedroom. In one corner, Cali finally found her clothes. They were stuffed with insulation and propped up as if a person, as if she herself was sitting there, watching her. Wily did take them, Cali realized. Only how remained a question. The side-to-life-size makeshift all stood a tank Cali guest was the water heater. The attic was cold, and Cali wondered if the water he'd could warm her up. She crawled over to it and huddled against the wall, hiding from her bulging clothes in the opposite corner. Wily's muffled voice traveled up through the floor. Okay, she's up there. Now what should I do? Cali held her breath to hear who Wily was talking to. Dine, the snake, neither it turned out. The voice which replied also belonged to Wily, but it was altered. It sounded deeper and somewhat choked. Get the poison, the chute voice said. What they know it was me? Wily asked.

44:47I'll take care of it, dear one, the other voice reply. Wily's footsteps shuffled out of the closet below. Cali searched for something, anything she had missed, which she could use to block the scuttle door from opening. The only thing she could think of was herself. Wily's footsteps came back, dragging something behind her. Cali threw herself over the door, and a moment later the little girl pushed up on the door and found it wouldn't move. Get off, Wily screamed. Let me go, Cali screamed back. You have to die, Wily replied. Something flashed beneath the water heater, stealing Cali's gaze. The tiny blue flame underneath its well then fell rapidly as if it were pounding. Cali took a calculated risk and dove towards the heater and snoffed out the pilot flame. It redd itself. There, with her face in the floor, looking under the water heater, she found a sculpture. It appeared to be made from baked clay and roughly resembled a person. A person with two long horns protruding from their head. The scuttle door burst open and Wily's hands grabbed the ledge. She lifted her head to the butthroes when she saw what Cali held in her hand. She found it, the other voice said through Wily's mouth.

45:49Leave it alone, Wily said. In her own hand, she held a tall green cane. A butt bomb. The tap that releases enough insect killing fog to have filled the attic four times over. What if I don't Cali demanded? No answer. Fine, I'm smashing it. No, the other voice yelled. Rally dropped the canister and disappeared from the hole. You'll let me come down? Cali asked. Yes, an angry voice below his. It could have been Riley or the other. Where's the snake? Back in its cage, Riley said. A voice still contained venom. I'll break your little doll if you're lying, Cali said. There was no answer, but she moved toward the exit anyway. I'm coming down. Riley waited in the closet doorway, scaling until Cali dropped on to the chair below. Now give it back, Riley said. No, not until after I've called your parents. This is over. Riley snarled. Her eyes widened. Her pupils expanded. Her hands tightened into claws. She only took one step before Cali

46:50through the clay figurine and the floor and stomped on it. Riley unleashed an agonized scream then collapse. Cali didn't look back as she ran out of the room. She found Dean lying still on the floor beside the stairs. It appeared he had been pushed over the rail. Thankfully, he was still breathing. Without thinking about how things would look for her, Cali ran to the phone and called 911. Both children lived. Dean had a concussion and a broken clavicle, but nothing that wouldn't heal with time. Riley had no injuries at all, but she seemed distant after she woke up. She seemed hollow. It seemed a part of her, a significant part hadn't woken up with her and Cali hoped it never would. The police contacted Francis and Matthew, who hurried back or so they claimed. Cali was detained until Dean was well enough to corroborate her story. A psychologist interviewed both children. It seemed Riley had contacted something otherworldly through the Ouija board. It had instructed her to create the little figurine to bring it into the world of the living. The psychologist said this was all Riley's way of coming to terms with a psychotic break, but Cali knew better. She knew Riley couldn't have reached the bathroom window,

47:52couldn't have gotten through the locked door and absolutely could not have instantly boiled a pot of water. Some mystery remained around Riley's intentions with the life-size replica of Cali in the attic. Near the Francis, no Matthew seemed to want to accept that the sweet little girl had almost killed their supposedly Satanic son. They tried to press charges against Cali, but Dean's story vindicated the babysitter. Plus, there were no actual signs of harm done to Riley and Cali never mentioned the bug bomb to anyone. Riley was getting the help she needed. Cali never cashed her check. She never asked for any compensation for her phone or her computer. Of course, this was not out of sympathy or compassion. This was not because of some lingering guilt. No, it was far simpler, although perhaps difficult for someone else to understand. Cali, quite simply, wanted absolutely nothing to do with that family ever again. And that is the end. Thank you for listening, and I will see you in the next one. I will see you in the next one.

49:15And I'm Bob Garfield. Are you one of those people who sometimes uses words? Do you communicate or acquire information with, you know, language? Hey, us too. So join us on Lexicon Valley to true over the history, culture, and many mysteries of English. Plus, some ice cracks. Find us on one of those apps where people listen to podcasts.