Sample Story- Describing Emotions

After the children fell asleep, the babysitter tiptoed down the stairs to curl up with a book and
unwind until their parents arrived home. The storm outside had intensified, and she secretly
hoped the weather would bring them home earlier than anticipated. She first made herself
comfortable on the couch, but then a close flash of lightning, immediately followed by a loud
clap of thunder, sent her scurrying for another seat across the room and away from the window.
She wasnt generally afraid of storms, but the big house with its shadowy corners and creaking
floors had left her more than a little bit on edge. She switched on the TV to help drown out the
thunder, although the windows still rattledlouder with each clash.

She read a few pages, trying to assuage her growing anxiety. Another loud clap sounded,
followed by a distant boom, and suddenly the house was shrouded in darkness. Ugh. The
lightning must have hit a transformer. She headed to the kitchen to find a flashlight or some
matches. As she entered the hall, she heard a thud in a nearby room. Must be one of the kids, she
thought. I guess one of them snuck out of bed. Then she realized that couldnt be the case. Shed
been in the den in view of the staircase ever since she tucked them in. They couldnt have
possibly slipped by without her noticing. She decided she must have imagined the sound.

She took another step towards the kitchen. There the sound was again! She froze, silent, to make
sure she hadnt mistaken it. The thud was replaced by a creak. Then another. Then, slowly, eerily,
another. She couldnt move, couldnt breathe. Yet she had to find out what was in there. Her life,
and the lives of the children, could possibly be at stake if a stranger had found their way into the
house.

With her heart pounding, she inched a little closer to the door. The creaking continued,
rhythmically. Creak, creak, creeeeaaaaakk. Thunder crashed again outside. She took a few steps
closer while the rumbling storm masked the sound of her movement. She was almost to the door
where the sound was coming from, a room that she now remembered was the formal living
room. She knew she had to bolt into the room and confront whatever it was. It was her only
hope, to get to itwhatever was in therebefore it could get her! She tiptoed a tiny step closer.

She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer. Her heart pounded so loudly now that she was sure
anyone inside that room could certainly hear it. Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath and
moved up to the doorway. Peering into the darkness, she slowly, quietly leeeeaaaaaaannnned
inside. Suddenly a FLASH of lightning illuminated the room, startling heras well as the family
cat perched on the arm of a rickety, wooden rocking chair. Blasted cat! she screamed, before
sighing with relief