A Safe Bet

Evie closed the front door behind her and stood on the porch. She couldn't believe Mama was dead. Now this house was all she had left of her.

She walked around to the side of the house and saw that the basement window was open. A light flashed inside. She peered down into the space and the light shone into her face. "Who are you?" a disembodied voice asked.

Evie stepped back and said, "I own this house. What are you doing here?"

Two hands appeared at the window, pulling a body up behind them. Evie stepped backwards. The brawny man stood up and said, "I'm looking for an old safe. My father said it was hidden in the wall of the basement."

She stuttered, "I don't know what you're talking about." She turned to run into the house, but the man took a few quick strides and grabbed her arm.

"Where did you hide it?" Evie tried to yank her arm back, but the man was too strong. His eyes were blazing when she looked up. There was something familiar about his eyes. "Don't you remember me? Your 'cousin' Jack?" he snarled.

In a flash, it came back. Her mother's friend, 'Uncle' Jeff spent a lot of time at their house. Jack was his son, and he and Evie would play together. One night they overheard their parents talking. Her mother said, "When I've saved enough, we'll run away!"

That night, her father had come home early and she remembered everyone shouting. Uncle Jeff and Jack left, and she'd never seen them again. "Do you really think there's any money?"

"Daddy saw the safe - nobody else knew about it. And you are going to help me find it." He pushed her toward the basement.

Word Count: 295