The Overnight Guest

by Heather Gudenkauf

It was then that Josie noticed that their chocolate Lab, Roscoe was nowhere to be found.

Oh god... Why does everyone have the same dog

The girl smiled. It was a beautiful name.

Would love to learn it

There was nothing but a small figure of an action hero.

Ethans kid maybe

Night had finally found her unprepared, and Wylie felt she might suffocate.

Little girl?

“The man who is after us will do anything to get us back.” She sat up a bit straighter and winced at the shift in position. “And I will do anything, and I mean anything,” she said in a low, dangerous whisper, “to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Out There. That’s what they called it. Don’t go Out There, her mother would say, your father will get mad, it’s not safe.

Boy is her with shaved head?

“I’m not a boy,” came a small, defiant voice.

Yup

Long dark curls fell to the floor.

Yee becky and child

Wylie’s mind flashed back to the night of the murders when she and Becky were in her bedroom,

Yuuuup

she took the W from William, the L from Lynne, the E from Ethan, and her grandmother’s maiden name and had become Wylie Lark.

“Please,” Wylie said. “I have to know. Is her name Becky?” The little girl nodded and Wylie covered her eyes and wept.

“Josie, Becky,” Randy sing-songed. “I know you’re in here.”

Omg her nameeeeee

“Wylie,” the little girl said shyly. “My name is Josie.” And they stepped out into the brittle sunshine.