DAVID LAWTON - Chiller

She places it in the box, the runs the tape across its top. Careful, Contents Fragile branded along its side. The worm twists. I inhale. “Here,” she says and extends her hand. A tissue flutters its wings in the room’s soft breeze. The window is now open a crack. Another worm has joined the stack. “I don’t want anyone to know we’ve both cried.”

A truck rumbles in the distance. It’s that time of year. Moves and movement in all corners of the universe.

I exhale, then smile. Place an old compass toy in my right pocket. Everything will be fine.

Schneider - 117

David Lawton

Chiller

Once, when I was little I was suddenly big enough to babysit My brothers were still little So I could send them to bed when my parents were out

I was growing up, on a Friday night, late in October When Kolchak: The Night Stalker was on TV Chasing monsters that no one else believed in Vampires and werewolves even something called a doppelganger

I was in charge With a half-gallon of ice cream on the counter Brigham’s chocolate chip Frozen solid as the Arctic caveman from episode 13

Lawton - 118

Intrepid reporter Carl Kolchak tracking the creature all alone Dedicated couch potato me on the living room couch all alone The night all around us solid black The house

trembling and groaning

Suddenly I didn’t know if there might be someone hiding in the basement Who might try and sneak up on me While I was watching Kolchak creep around in his speckled vanilla white suit There were fears living inside of me

The ice cream would start to get soft around the inside edges of the carton You could push the spoon in there wooden stake and silver bullet Slide it around the frozen core to bring out the melted part Sweet, creamy and crystallated with chocolate bits that hold the cold

Like the cold holds me

There is nothing to be afraid of

I’m supposed to be a big kid now But the cold holds me

Yet the cold holds me

Lawton - 119