Fearsome Things: Five Short Tales of Horror and Suspense Read Online Free PDF Page A

to visit her friend these days. That had not always been the case though. Barb had been different before, back in college. It was not until years after that the cleaning fetish had reared it’s ugly head.
    “Quiz shows? Why ever would I want to watch those?”
    “I don’t know. It’s better than infomercials.”
    “Is it?” She placed the tub of cleaning powder on the table as if it were the most precious thing she had ever owned. “I can’t wait to try this stuff.”
    “Why don’t you sit down and drink your coffee?” Emily looked at her own drink, at the white plastic spoon and oblong packet of sugar her friend had placed on a folded napkin. This was a new development. Barb had decided that no one could touch her silverware for fear of contamination. Apparently germs were everywhere.
    “Nonsense my dear, there’s cleaning to be done.”
    Emily sighed. The kitchen was a picture of perfection, scrubbed Formica surfaces, gleaming floor tiles, appliances that looked like they had just come out of the box. “The place is spotless, please sit down, you’re making me nervous.”
    “Well, just for a few minutes.”
    “Thank you.” Emily reached toward the plate of ginger cookies, her hand hovering as she decided whether to take one. It was a trap of course. There was always a plate of cookies. But where there were sweet treats there were crumbs, and crumbs would not be tolerated. She withdrew her hand and looked wistfully in the direction of the door, toward the umbrella that sat propped against the wall, waiting. The same umbrella she’d dared not open on the way over despite the rain. Drips of water on Barbara’s floor certainly would not do.
    “So my dear, what’s new with you?” Barbara asked, finally settling into a chair, her hand resting on the tub of Whiter than White.
    “Nothing much. Harold, my oldest, is going to college in the fall. He got into UCLA.” She could feel hives breaking out on her face. She always got hives in stressful situations, and coffee with Barb more than qualified.
    “Really? UCLA. That’s a good school.” Barbara said.
    “Yes. It was the first one he applied for.”
    “You must be very proud.”
    “I am. He’s grown so much since you saw him last. Would you like to see a photo?” Emily reached down toward her purse.
    “Well of course I…” Barbara paused, her eyes shrinking to deep narrow slits. “What’s that?”
    “What?”
    “That.” Her voice rose in pitch, a faint tremor creeping in around the edges. “Those red marks on your face.”
    “Oh, it’s nothing. Just hives, that’s all.”
    “Well they look dreadful.”
    “I’m sorry.” Emily had no idea why she was apologizing, but it seemed like the right thing to say.
    “Don’t be sorry, get rid of them.”
    “I can’t. It happens sometimes when I’m stressed.”
    “Stressed?” Barbara pushed the chair back and sprang to her feet. “Why would you be stressed? Make them go away.”
    “Don’t worry about it, they will go down soon,” Emily said. “Just give it a few minutes.”
    “I don’t have a few minutes.” Barb drummed her fingers on the table. “They’re not clean. Oh my, just think of the germs.”
    “There’s no germs, and getting mad at me won’t do any good.” Emily wondered if it was time to leave.
    “Of course there are germs. Make them go away this instant.”
    “Barb, I can’t, you’re making them worse.”
    “Well if you won’t make them go away, I will.” Barbara lunged across the table, sending the plate of cookies crashing to the floor. She fell upon her startled friend, gripping her by the hair. With her other hand she reached out and found the tub of cleaning powder.
    It only took  second for Emily to regain her senses. She lifted her arms, pushing back against Barbara, trying to dislodge the heavier woman, almost doing so.
    But not quite.
    Instead, Emily’s chair shifted and started to tilt, the front legs lifting from the floor. It teetered for a few