Secret Identities

by definition, we're a collage of all our secret identities

“So they really do drink blood?” I asked as my eyes grow to the size of meatballs. Jane shovels more sand into her bucket as I kneeled there in the sandbox.

“I heard it myself from the big kids on the monkey bars. That boy Tom, said all babysitters act nice when the big people are around, but secretly they’re all blood sucking vampires! And Tom’s in third grade now, so he must know his stuff! Plus, my big sister’s always on the phone saying how vampires are like the thing these days. She kisses pictures of that vampire guy from TV. Yuck! Well, it’s time for dinner. Be careful tonight Sandra.”

“What if I eat all my vegetables for a week? I’ll pinky swear! Can you please, please, pleaseee, not go then?”

“Don’t be silly Sandra. You weren’t like this with your other babysitters. You’ll have lots of fun with Betty. Now give me a kiss, Daddy’s waiting outside.”

Upstairs, Betty, or should I say the vampire, was playing with Jack and already had him fooled. Well, Jack’s three so you can’t blame him I guess. She looks up, smiles at me, and there it was, her skinny white fangs! I run to my room, jump into bed and pulled the blankets over me. What am I going to do? I’m not going out there again, but what about Jack? As Jack’s big seven year old sister I must protect him! I take a deep breath. I need to go out there again.

I grabbed my sheets to tie it on my back like a cape. I remember seeing on TV that vampires are afraid of garlic and light. I run to my toy box to find my Polly Pocket mirror, mini flashlight, and the garlic from my play kitchen set. I stand in the middle of my room, hands on my hip. Something is missing... Seeing my bandana sticking out from under my bed I grabbed it and tied it on my head. Stomping out of my room I now looked and felt ready for battle.

I walk into the living room. Jack looks up and points at me. “Sandra looks funny,” he said giggling. “Cute bandana,” said the vampire. I just nod my head. Picking up the closest book, I pop on the couch and pretended to read, but was really peeping over the top to keep an eye on Jack.

“Oh, it’s time for bed Sandra. I’ll help you get ready,” the vampire said with a smile on her face. Why is she so happy?! She’s going to attack once we go to bed!

“Don’t come close to me! I mean... I’m okay by myself,” I said before running to the bathroom. Standing infront of the sink I looked up. Man, was it tall. Biting my lips I looked around the washroom. Ah ha! I climbed on my potty chair and stretched and stretched, but just couldn’t reach. Eventually, I walked back to the vampire lady, head down, and mumbled, “I can’t turn on the water.” I half expected her to laugh at me and say, “Told you soon,” but she was really nice about it...

She came to tuck me in. I decide to pretend to fall asleep, and once she leaves my room I’ll get up and wait for her to make her move. The garlic, flashlight and mirror are under my pillow. She starts reading my favourite book Farmer Peggy Makes Tomato Soup.

“It’s TO-MAY-TO, not TO-MAH-TO,” I said feeling really smart. And mommy always reads it using different voices for all the animals.”

She let out a little laugh and said, “Oops, but of course.” She continues reading and I must admit she makes the best animal sounds ever, even better than Mommy! As she reads I think of all the hiding spots in the house, in case I needed it later tonight when she makes her move. My eyelids slowly get heavier and heavier. Her voice becomes quieter as the smell of tomato soup fills the air.

Sandra’s mom sits on Sandra’s bed, stroking Sandra’s hair and smiling at her peacefully sleeping face. Sandra’s dad walks in. “I paid Betty and she just left. Boy I can’t wait till the kids get old enough for their thirst to kick in. Then, the whole family can hunt together,” he said with a grin.


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The short story that I actually handed in.