Microstory 5: Siftens Landing (Part I)

The Landers and the Siftens lived in a hidden cul-de-sac that backed up to a dense forest. The suburb was growing fast, and their corner of it was its best kept secret. And they loved it that way. Then someone moved in. The third house had been vacant since the beginning. Neither family had even bothered trying to figure out who had built it in the first place. No need to rock the boat. But now it didn't matter. They were doomed. The de facto leader of the two families, Mama Siften, formed a plan to be rid of their problem. She went off to the store and bought a shovel, some rope, a few bags of sawdust, and a gallon of distilled water. On her way back, the new neighbor stopped her for a chat. He probably had a name but who was even paying attention? It was best to keep a distance and not get at all attached. While the stranger was talking, Mama Siften panicked. She ended up inviting them all to dinner. That was going to make this much more complicated. What's-his-toes smiled and rushed off to tell his wife. Mama Siften pulled into her garage and had her kids unload the supplies while she talked things over with her husband. They were going to have to change strategies...

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