The Unknown

by Jennifer Rachel Stewart
(San Antonio, Texas)

I was seventeen. My mom was gone. My brother was gone. I try to this day to block it all out. I was mad at a close friend and sat around our small house brooding like a teenager does, watching horror movies till my mom got back from her appointment.

I was in the den when I heard knocking, figuring it was my pesky brother playing with me but he was at a game. I thought about calling my dad to see if I could visit him, but he was gone. Then a loud growl came from our dog pens outside. I went outside thinking the worst, but our dogs were asleep safe in their kennels. I went inside to relax and heard it again.

It was weird. It really was. To this day, I can't figure it out.