LAST SHIFT

 

 

 

 

 

 

W hen sixteen-year-old Joe proceeded to pedal his way down to his best friend Tanner’s house on Norberry Lane, he was growing uncomfortable by

 

the lack of noise around him, which only made him ride faster and faster, just so he could see his friend again and finally have somebody to talk to. To finally break this absolutely intolerable silence.

 

As he pulled into Tanner’s driveway, he felt a shiver go up to his spine. He hadn’t been here in a little longer than two weeks now (which was a new record for him) and felt like he hardly recognized the place anymore. It looked oddly unfamiliar and almost like a completely different house, but he wasn’t sure if it was just because of his absence of being here or something else.

 

Nevertheless, he propped his bike up against the siding of the house, walked up the steps and pressed the doorbell, and heard Tanner’s new dog barking away, enthusiastic about seeing who this new visitor was. After about fifteen seconds, Tanner opened the door and grinned so wide that it surprised even Joe. He had seen Tanner smile many times but he never saw him smile quite like that.