Shed Rats
Copyright© 2026 by CreepyUnclePete - by AuthorWench
Chapter 1
Since I didn’t have any family left, after my very early retirement at the age of thirty-nine, I had plenty of spare time. I got a pension for twenty years in the service. I also inherited the house and half a million dollars a decade earlier and invested wisely. I didn’t need to work if I didn’t want to. I was considering starting up a security company. I kept the yard in good shape and thought about planting a garden the next year. After I ate each night, I filled the birdfeeders and put any leftover food on the back patio before I watched the news and went to bed. I had a light and security camera by the back door, so I could watch the recordings of animals enjoying what I left them. A possum and a racoon visited nearly every night, plus the occasional stray cat or dog. Birds ate what was left in the morning.
A neighbor from two houses down walked past as I was getting the mail. I greeted him, “Hi Bill, how’s it going?”
“Hey Andy. I’m having trouble with rats in my shed. A big bag of birdseed was ripped open. Something ate most of the sunflower seed and left the rest. Mice or squirrels would have eaten the rest of the seeds too, but rats love sunflower. I need to get a couple rat traps.”
“Good luck catching the rats.” I checked my shed and garage, but everything was fine.
One night a few days later, I undressed for bed and looked out the window as I returned from the bathroom. All the food I left on the patio was gone and two of my four birdfeeders were empty! Squirrels and birds usually slept at night, and it would take a swarm of them to eat that much birdseed in fifteen minutes.
I didn’t think a possum or racoon could eat three overripe bananas and a baked potato that quickly. A dog probably wouldn’t eat them, and definitely wouldn’t care about sunflower seed. It must be something big, like a wild hog or maybe a bear. I hurried to throw on a bath robe, then got out my shotgun and a flashlight. I looked out the windows, then walked around the outside of the house searching. The only things I found were an owl hooting in a tree, and a few bats high above.
When I watched the back yard video I was astounded. The door of my tool shed slid open and two girls walked out. The video was grainy, so it was hard to tell their ages or how tall they were. Both carried empty plastic grocery bags. One picked up the baked potato, bananas, and piece of leftover meatloaf from the tray on the patio. Most animals would have eaten meatloaf, but I was happy she got to it first. The taller girl opened my birdfeeders and dumped the sunflower seed into her bag.
The two of them set the food in the shed and walked over to the other side of the yard. Both dropped their pants, squatted, and peed by the fence at the back corner. They drank some water from the garden hose, then filled a jug with water and walked back into the shed.
I wondered what I should do. I hadn’t seen anything about missing kids on the news in the last few days. From the video, I couldn’t tell whether they were women, teens, or little girls. Were they thieves or drug addicts? I didn’t think so. All they took was food. They could have stolen my yard tractor or motorbike, or broken into my car. If they were desperate for drug money, they could have broken a window and tried to rob my house.
I felt bad for them, so I decided to leave them something nice. I put a six-pack of cola and a bag of cookies on the patio. Half an hour later they came out and got the cookies, but left the cola and the empty cookie bag. About three am they left the area together. They returned and went back in the shed a few minutes before the sun came up. They did the same the next night. I left food on the patio and a little while after I turned off all the lights in the house, the two girls collected it. They left about three am and returned just before dawn. I was glad they only peed on the lawn. They must have used a bathroom somewhere else, too.
The next night, I left food out again and set my alarm for two am. I watched the girls leave, and a little while later I walked out to their ‘home’ in my shed. There was a big pile of empty sunflower shells in a corner, and two large pieces of cardboard on the concrete floor. Apparently, all the possessions they had were a dirty blanket with a big hole in it, an old milk jug half full of water, and a paper bag with two stale donuts. Nobody should have to live like that. Even if they were criminals, jail would be far better.
I quickly got two sleeping bags and two pillows from the attic and left them in a corner of the shed. When the girls returned, they ran out and nervously looked around the yard. After a few minutes, they went back in smiling.
I went on my weekly shopping trip the next day. In addition to groceries, I picked up two better security cameras. They were wireless and had sound. When the girls left, I hid one in a corner of the shed. In the morning I replaced the old one above the back door. I also dragged my picnic table from the front yard and placed it near the patio in back.
I watched the shed camera a little while during the day. I only heard snoring and saw the sleeping bags move a little as the girls tossed and turned. For a moment, I could see the back of one’s head. Her hair was light brown and had bits of leaves or other debris in it.
That night, I put two big bowls of chicken soup and a box of crackers on the picnic table. Hopefully they wouldn’t want to carry the soup and would be near the back door camera eating long enough for me to get a good look at them.
Their hair and faces were dirty and they were quite thin from malnourishment. The taller one was around thirty, with light brown hair and green eyes. From the shape of her shirt, she had small to medium breasts, maybe “B”s. The other was about fifteen, with blue eyes and long blonde hair. I thought they’d be quite pretty, once they were clean and had decent food for a few weeks. I worried about them being so thin.
They sat at the table and ate the soup quietly. The younger one reached for the box of crackers but the other pushed her hand away. “It has to look like animals are eating, Sherry. A dog or a possum wouldn’t bother with a box.”
The other said, “Maybe we’ll get donuts from the gas station trash again. I sure hope the guy throws out some old ones tonight!” I had been curious where they went every morning.
The older one put arm around Sherry’s shoulder and said, “I’m hungry too, but nobody hurts us now. And we have each other.”
The younger one looked sad and afraid as she said, “That was so bad, Sissy! At least we’re safe now, kinda.”
When the girls left, I went out to the shed with the box of crackers, a comb and hairbrush, and jars of peanut butter and grape jelly. I felt very bad for them and wanted to help. When they came back, they saw the items and got nervous. They looked around the yard again, then Sissy sadly said; “This place isn’t bad, but somebody found us. We better leave, before we get caught.” The girls packed up the food and their few belongings, and walked away.
I was very upset that I scared them off. I hoped they would come back. I kept putting food on the patio every night but didn’t see them for a week. One night around midnight, they timidly returned. Both looked around my yard, quickly grabbed some food, and ran off. They must have found somewhere to live nearby. I was glad they were still around and getting some food.
A week later Sissy cautiously peeked in the shed a moment, then helped Sherry gather up their nightly meal. They walked off more calmly than before. The next night I left the usual two meals worth on the picnic table, along with a fifty-dollar bill. They took the food and talked about the things they could get with fifty bucks, but left the money. I put the bill out again the next night, and they reluctantly left it again. That proved to me they weren’t thieves or addicts. Their situation was so awful I wished they had taken it.
Two weeks before Halloween there was a strong thunderstorm. It rained intensely and the wind howled. The awning over the patio did almost nothing to block the rain. I wondered what food I could give the girls that would survive the storm. I left them a heavy pan with the lid on, containing half a dozen boiled eggs, a few apples, and a bag with a couple of peanut butter sandwiches.
On camera, I could see them standing in the rain, arguing if they should take it or not. The storm noises kept me from hearing them. Sissy turned and walked away, and Sherry started to. She turned and quickly put an apple and a few eggs in her jacket pockets. She closed the kettle, then followed. I was glad she took at least something.
I got some Halloween decorations for the front of the house and a lot of candy. I waited by the door Halloween night and passed out candy to the trick-or-treaters. I was pretty sure Sissy and Sherry would snap at the chance to get free candy, but the last of the trick-or-treaters had gone home by nine o’clock. I gave up on seeing them at eleven and started getting ready for bed. I removed my shoes and was taking off my shirt when the doorbell rang.
I pulled my shirt back on and ran to the door. Sissy and Sherry each had on masks, but I knew it was them from their clothes. They had worn the same clothes since the first time I saw them, over a month before. They said, “Trick or treat!”
I held a pail of candy and said, “Since it’s the end of the night, you two can have the rest of my candy if you’ll just talk with me a minute?” I sat on the floor, to look less intimidating.
“It’s ok if you stay in my shed. You can take all the food I put on the patio or picnic table. I don’t mind. I want to help you.” I set the pail down in front of them and put a hundred dollars on top of the candy.
Both girls smiled. Sissy had a happy tear in her eye, as she picked up the bucket. She said, “Thanks, mister! Thanks so much!”
“I’m Andy. If you want to come in and use my bathroom, that’s fine. If you want a bath or a shower, ne my guest.” I could see they were tempted.
Sherry said, “A hot bath would feel so good!”
Sissy grabbed her hand and scolded her, “We don’t know him! What if he’s like the others?”
Out of kindness, I pushed too far; “It’s going to get colder out soon. I have a spare bedroom you can stay in, if you want. I won’t hurt you. I just want to help.”
Sherry was nervous, but mused aloud, “A real bed would be so nice, but...”
Sissy panicked as a car drove past, and pulled her away. “We gotta go!” She half-dragged Sherry behind her.
I was happy they at least took the candy and the money. The next day I bought two blankets, two sweatsuits, and two winter hats, then left them in the shed for the girls. I was quite happy they returned.
The next evening I made a big batch of beef stew. I brought the kettle, bowls, and some spoons out to the picnic table and started eating. Before long, the girls opened the shed door and cautiously approached the table. I smiled and told them, “Have a seat, ladies. There’s plenty.” They timidly ate but looked ready to get up and run at any moment. “I know you’re very afraid. I don’t know why, but I want to reassure you, I’m not like any bad people in your past. I’ve given you food and some things to help you. Now that your bellies are full, I’d like you to be clean too. You can use my bathroom and take showers or baths. I got you some more clothes, too.”
Sissy said, “That sounds really good, but...”
I slowly took a folding knife out of my pocket and slid it across the table. “The knife is yours now. I want you to have it, so you can feel safe. You can trust me. I promise, I’m not going to hurt you or do anything bad. The bathroom door has a lock and I’ll stay in the kitchen while you two clean up.” Sissy picked up the knife.
I carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen and started washing them. The two girls warily walked in, with Sissy holding her new knife. I heard the bathroom door close and lock while I washed the dishes. Half an hour later, they walked out smiling.
“I hope you see now, you can trust me. I just want to help you. You can stay in my spare bedroom. Winter is only a few weeks away.” Again, I pushed too far.
Sissy exclaimed, “You’re probably just trying to screw us, too, like the rest of them!” She cried and Sherry started crying too. I tried to reassure her, “No, I...” The two of them ran to the shed, but at least they didn’t move away again. I continued leaving them food, and the temperature dropped a few degrees each day. They started eating dinner with me each night, sitting in the kitchen near the back door, in case they wanted to run out.
After a week, they cautiously accepted my offer to let them wash some of their clothes and get showers again. Again, I offered to let them stay in my spare room, but they were too afraid. I was getting frustrated with them not trusting me, but felt obliged to help.
The first storm of the winter was a doozy. The temperature dropped from just above freezing to 25 below, and the ground went from leaf-covered to knee-deep snow over a single night. I thought the girls would like something hot for lunch, so I made tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I turned off the stove and went to invite them in. I knocked on the shed door. “Hi girls, it’s Andy. Would you like some lunch?”
There was no answer. I knocked again, then slid the door open. Both were in their sleeping bags, with their blankets and most of their clothes on top of them. I could see them breathing slowly. “Girls? Are you hungry?” They didn’t answer or move.
Their faces were bluish from the cold. I shook them, but they didn’t wake up. I felt Sissy’s forehead. She was dangerously cold. I carried her into the living room and laid her on the sofa with a blanket over her, then ran back out and got Sherry.