It was a warm autumn day as Maia’s boots crunched the fallen leaves on the ground. She was on her way to Percy’s house for a sleepover. Maia came at 5:00pm with a sleeping bag and flashlight. Percy’s parents were out of town so he had invited Maia over. At 8:00pm the teens started watching a movie. Sounds like a normal sleepover… right?

About halfway through the film, a loud bang sounded from upstairs.
“What the heck!” exclaimed Percy.
Maia said, “I think I’ll see what caused that sound.”
“You sure?” asked Percy.
“Whad’a ya think …its a poltergeist or something?” replied Maia, smiling.

Moments later Maia returned wide eyed and staring as if possessed by a supernatural. In her sweaty hand was a  loaded  .3 caliber revolver.
“Uhhhhh … what’s that for?” asked Percy nervously. Maia did not say anything, but pointed the gun at him. “Why are you doing that?” asked Percy, more scared this time.
Maia said, “Die mortal die!” and pulled the trigger.

All  Percy saw was a flash as the bullet lodged in his lower ribs and blood dripped out. He sprinted down the street as Maia’s bullets trailed past him, pure terror in his heavy breath. He ran until he could run no more.

Percy never saw Maia again.   He and his family never returned to the house.  They moved to another house and his former house was purchased by another family.
His wound and ribs would take a long time to heal.
One night, while one of the children in their new home was having an average sleepover, something fell or was pushed upstairs and a boisterous bang sounded. At the exact time that the noise was heard,  Percy died of his pistol wound.

By Milo Himberger