HANNAH'S DELIGHT AND STEPHEN'S MYSTERY | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: HANNAH'S DELIGHT AND STEPHEN'S MYSTERY | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Benoit
08/04/16
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Hannah wandered away from her family as they hiked in the woods adjacent to their campground. Fascinated by the pretty flowers she saw along the way she wanted to go back and pick some more. Unable to find them she kept on walking. When her little feet became tired,
four-year-old Hannah sat down in a clearing and began playing with her imaginary friend, intermittently talking to her, and humming to herself. Her dog Chesapeake, who she called Chessy, lay on the grass nearby. Suddenly, multicolored lights enveloped Hannah and Chessy, and danced in and around them. Hannah’s eyes opened wide in awe of the vibrant colors swirling around her.
“Bootiful Chessy,” she laughed in delight. “Bootiful.”
After what seemed like hours, her eyes grew heavy, and she fell back on the grass and fell asleep. Chessy moved closer to her and putting his head on her tummy, began dreaming of rabbits and squirrels.

Stephen and his dad sat atop the hillside overlooking the woods beneath. They were among the group of neighbors looking for the four-year-old girl.
As they scrutinized the woods a huge flame came out of nowhere and roared to life.
Immediately following the blaze was the unmistakable sound of a dog barking furiously, and the faint but definite sounds of a child crying.
“Stay here,” Stephen’s father called to him as he took off running down the hillside.
Stephen ran behind his dad concerned for his father’s safety.
“Son, I told you to…”
“No dad, I want to come with you,” Stephen yelled running behind him.
They plunged their way through the woods, but as they encountered more and more trees, they stopped running.
“We’re coming Hannah,” yelled Mr. Norris above the din as the child’s cries got louder, the dog’s barking intensified, and flame after flame seemed to be roaring to life.
“Dad, I’m scared,” cried Stephen as they moved towards the direction of the fire.
“Pray Stephen,” said his dad. “Pray.”
“God, please protect us, that little girl Hannah, and her dog.”
They were getting closer and closer to the fire.
A few minutes later they came upon a clearing.
There was no fire, no barking dog, and no crying child.
Instead, on the far side was a little girl curled up sleeping peacefully.
Next to her was a beautiful black lab contentedly snoring.
Stephen said, “Dad?”
“Yes son.”
“Where’s the fire?”
His dad felt chills run up and down his spine.
“Dad? I…I...don’t get it,” said Stephen.
“I know I heard her. She…she was crying, and her dog was barking!
This…this is weird. It’s kind of creepy.”
“I agree with you son. This is downright eerie.”
Stephen’s father took a step towards the sleeping child.
The dog woke up and looked at him, but did not make a sound.
Stephen stepped close and gently touched Hannah to wake her up.
She opened her eyes and smiled into Stephen’s face.
“Hannah…are you okay?” asked his father.
She nodded then yawned a great big yawn.
“Hungry,” she said and held out her arms to Stephen.
PP. 2

He grinned as he helped her into a sitting position, then lifted her up.
With a very puzzled look on his face Stephen’s dad asked,
“Honey, did you see a fire here?”
She shook her head no.
“Do you have another dog?”
She shook her head no again.
“Were you crying?”
Once again Hannah shook her head.
“This is soooo very weird and spooky,” said Stephen to his dad.
“Eerie,” said his father. “Quite eerie.”

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