My phone begins to blare out that hideous alarm to alert us to danger, and I reach for it hesitantly, but then I can’t see it, the lights have gone out.

I creep from the room to the landing. Skrtch skrtch skrtch. It’s coming from the door.

Maybe it’s just the cat.

The cat runs up the stairs.

Maybe it’s not the cat…

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. There’s someone behind me, I can feel it.

I whip around with a fist in the air, but all there is a shut window, and beyond it, the black night sky.

I turn around, I’m tired and these childish fears are stupid.

Skrtch skrtch skrtch.

This time it’s from the window.

I’m too scared too look, what if it’s some horrible monster? - but that’s childish and stupid, there’s nothing there.

I look, no yellow eyes or gaping jaws, just the night sky.

I still feel like I’m being watched.

Skrtch skrtch skrtch.

It’s from downstairs. I grab the handrail as if it will help and I descend.

Thud thud thud.

In rhythm with my heartbeat come these noises from above, is it God?- but these noises descend the stairs.