Those Neighbours

The first sunny day of the year had arrived. Molly had waited for this, finally she could plant her bulbs. Deckchair out, sleeves rolled up, she was ready to work.

Next door had recently moved in. It had been months, and yet their backyard looked a mess. It was an eyesore; everyone knew this neighbourhood held high standards.

As it had been Winter, she hadn’t seen them move in. Now it was Spring, it was time for Molly to have a word. She’d looked over the top of their fence before. It looked like a bomb site. Dirt on the lawn, tree trunks on broken paths, overgrown bushes, it just wouldn’t do.

With her tiny frame and loose slippers, Molly clambered up the fence, her eyes and nose poking over. She nearly fell to the ground in fright, because over in the corner, stuck in a hole, was her neighbour, digging.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! I had no idea anyone was out here, please excuse me!” Molly fussed, climbing back down.

There was a rustle and then he spoke. “Not to worry, you were snooping, it’s only natural.”

“No, no, I shouldn’t have...”

“Just starting with these holes, once I fill them in, I can get to work on the rest of the garden.”

“Very good, It’s nice to see a keen gardener.” Molly said, crouching in her grass to plant the bulbs.

Several silent minutes went by; the sun rose higher in the sky, causing Molly to sweat.

“It’s getting hot now, isn’t it?” She made conversation.

There was no reply. Then a grunt and a bang.

“You okay there?” She called from over the fence.

“I think I might need some help; I think I’m stuck!”

Molly panicked, racing inside, “Don’t worry, I’m calling an ambulance now.”

“No. please, don’t, It’s fine!” He called, but Molly had already dashed in the house and was crying down the phone.

When she arrived outside again, she came to check on her neighbour, tiptoeing and leaning over the fence for a good look at him.

“It’s on its way, don’t worry!”

He wasn’t listening, he pushed his hands off the ground and propelled himself across the garden flying in mid-air. Molly’s heart nearly collapsed, even more so when she saw him lying on the dirty grass. Soiled knees on his jeans, muddy hands, and dirty elbows. Above a striped t-shirt, was no neck or head, as though he had been decapitated.

The shock made Molly wobble and fall flat on the ground with a loud bump. Her heart beating inside her chest.

“I did warn you not to call anyone.” The neighbour said.

As Molly gingerly climbed the fence, this headless man was talking, as if everything was normal.

“Meet my family!” He said cheerfully. “They are the same!”

From whom knows where, appeared a woman, little boy, and dog, bounding out without heads on their shoulders. All Molly could do was quiver and scream. This had to be a nightmare.