Trish said, “I’m going first”, as she took the torch from Ted’s hand. The light switch did not work. “What’s wrong with all of you? It’s just a cat or mouse down there making that noise”, she said in a sarcastic manner as she started toward the basement.

The three other teens followed hesitantly behind Trish. Trish walked slowly down each creaky step.

“Let’s just leave whatever it is alone. Let’s go back upstairs”, Miles said as they got to the bottom of the stairs.

“Miles, this is your house! You should want to know what’s going on in your basement.” Trish said as she kept her eyes focused on the darkness in front of her.

“I know”, Miles said softly.

The scratching noise was louder and could be heard from across the room. Everyone stopped in their tracks.

Susan said, “It’s coming from over there”, as she pointed to the left.

Everyone looked left except Teddy, who looked right. They began walking slowly towards the left side of the basement while Miles stayed near the bottom of the stairs.

The scratching noise seemed to get louder.

Trish said, “What’s behind this door Miles? The noise seems to be coming from behind this door.” She swiped at the cobwebs that covered the door and turned the doorknob but the door didn’t budge.

“Let’s just leave guys. I’m getting a bad feeling about this.” Susan said as she turned around to go back toward the stairs. She took a couple steps and then froze. She stood still as she stared blindly into the darkness.

No one noticed Trish was still behind them.

“Miles where is the key to this door?”, Trish asked. “There is something in there. What if it’s someone’s cat or dog?”

Miles didn’t answer.

Trish turned around to look for Miles in the darkness. “Miles? Miles?” She held up the torch to see if she saw her friend of 11 years. “Where did Miles go?” She looked left and right in the blackness but didn’t see Miles. She turned around quickly to talk to the group and lost her footing and fell on to the cold hard floor.

“Shit! Hello?” Trish was alone on the floor. “Miles, Susan, Ted? Where is everybody?”

The torch began to flicker.The doorknob on the locked door turned slowly and creaked as it opened slowly. The torch went out.

Trish screamed, “No! Please!” Help..!”

There was a long moan that seemed to go on for minutes.

Miles and Ted walked up the creaky stairs in the darkness and walked out the door. The basement door locked behind them.