by Sadie Grey

Created on: October 09, 2010

Jessie stood at the tall window of her apartment office looking down on the street below. She noticed that a stranger was standing underneath the leafless maple tree on the outer edge of the parking lot. She couldn’t make out much more than the feet; and was sure the stranger wore boots of some kind.

The rain started just after the beggars started trick-or-treat. The rain was heavy enough to scatter parents and children back to their cars. The storm came through in a rage with thunder and lightening; unusual for so late in October.

She decided she would get ready for the party she was attending. The storm carried on while she readied herself. Jessie was going to the party as a writer and would carry her recent published book.

By the time she finished, it was still early. She looked out the window again and was shocked to see boots still standing underneath the maple tree. The streets were clear of people and it was nearing time for all good beggars to be home.

She was concerned. Standing beneath a tree wasn’t the best place to be during a storm, not to mention that the tree was bare. It was hardly proper protection from such a storm. Jessie knew it wasn’t uncommon to see the homeless in her area. She felt the stranger simply stopped for awhile to rest.

Jessie gathered Halloween gifts for her friends; her jacket and car keys then left the apartment. The garage was well lit but she was still cautious as she moved to her car. Six apartments in her building made for a small garage and she was parked close to the door.

She pulled out of her parking space and toward the exit. As she approached the exit, she could see the stranger still standing beneath the maple. Jessie held her breath. “Heaven help me.” She breathed.

Jessie pulled out of the garage and to the street. She dared a glance in the stranger’s direction. A scarecrow; stuffed with straw and wearing boots grinned at her.

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