By James Van Nuys

Whatever it was, it had returned. I wasn’t surprised—just scared. My chest tightened and my breathing became somewhat restricted because I didn’t want to make even the slightest sound that would interfere with my hearing. I was listening intently, waiting for the next footstep—hoping I wouldn’t hear it, knowing I would. I didn’t want to roll over or reach for the light because I knew that my bed would erupt with a symphony of squeaks and rattles and I...

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By Judy Love

June Johnston stood on the grassy shore of Sylvan Lake and held a car seat cushion for her black Labrador retriever mix to sniff. She had taken the cushion from a vehicle in which a missing party of hikers had ridden. Boonie took in the scent and looked up at June, her tail wagging excitedly. "Go find!" June said, and Boonie started down the path where the "missings," three adults and a teen, had begun their walk. June scampered behind Boonie as the dog energetically...

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