The night was warm. A gentle breeze was blowing and the moon was full.

From the bedroom window, Johnny looked out over the cornfield. He could see the scarecrow that he helped to make several months earlier. It was wearing a long black coat and a black extra large cowboy hat.

It does look a bit creepy, Johnny always thought. Nevertheless, he knew it was just an old scarecrow, which was lifeless and completely harmless. Suddenly, the scarecrow turned its head very slowly and looked up at the bedroom window.

Johnny’s eyes widened.

He gasped as he stepped back from the window. He then ran across the room jumped onto the bed and buried himself under the covers.

A few minutes later with his heart pounding, Johnny bravely went back to the window. Peeking through the gap in the curtains, he looked out.

The scarecrow was gone.

The next morning, Johnny was standing at the bus stop waiting for the school bus. Suddenly, he felt an icy cold hand on his shoulder. He froze for a moment before spinning round and looking up. It was only George Hopkins the local police officer.

Johnny breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hello, Mr. Hopkins.” He said politely.

“Hello, Johnny. Are you all right?” Officer Hopkins asked.

Johnny nodded his head.

“Yes, Mr. Hopkins.” He replied.

The school bus was a few minutes late but eventually it turned up.

Johnny climbed aboard.

As the bus disappeared around the corner, an urgent call came through on the police radio.

“Three, five, nine come in, over.”

“Three, five, nine receiving go ahead, over.” Officer Hopkins answered.

“Hey, George, it looks like we’ve got another animal attack.”

“What’s the location?” Officer Hopkins asked.

“It’s on Carter Street by the old mill.”

“Got it, I’m on my way.” Officer Hopkins acknowledged as he climbed onto his bicycle and set off.

When Officer Hopkins arrived at the scene, a gruesome sight greeted him. There were two bodies, a male and female, lying side by side in the long grass under an oak tree with their throats cut and hearts ripped out. This is no animal attack, he thought barely able to look.

Later that afternoon, Johnny, swinging his school bag back and forth without a care in the world, was on his way home. Suddenly, he stopped and looked into the cornfield.

The scarecrow was back.

Johnny continued walking.

As he opened the gate, the scarecrow turned its head very slowly and watched as Johnny walked up the path and then disappeared inside the house.

After hanging up his coat and school bag there was an unexpected knock at the front door.

Johnny opened the door.

It was Officer Hopkins.

“Hello, Mr. Hopkins.” Johnny said very politely.

“Can I come in? I need to tell you something.” Officer Hopkins said with a serious looking face.

Officer Hopkins followed Johnny into the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” Johnny asked.

Officer Hopkins walked over to the window before taking a deep breath and then he turned around to look at Johnny.

“It’s about your parents. I’m very sorry but they’re dead.” He said with a tear in his eye.

Johnny’s heart sank.

He then ran out of the house and into the front garden. He sat on the swing with his head in his hands. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, the scarecrow appeared behind him.

“I’m coming to get you, Johnny.” He whispered into Johnny’s ear.

With the tears still rolling down his face, Johnny stood up and spun round but there was nobody there.

 

TO BE CONTINUED...MAYBE.