My ears woke up first. There were teeth outside the house somewhere; I was sure of it. But I’d locked the window.

Beside me, my wife rustled in her bedsheets. The susurrus of old, married dreams stirred on her lips. 

Close. I’d swear the noises were just the other side of the window pane, if only I’d turn around to check. In a moment, I’d hear something again… or, more terrible, perhaps I’d hear nothing at all, holding in breath.

Even the smell wasn’t right: too damp, too clammy. Oh God, it was close

The old door was ajar only a crack, but that was… no, forget it. 

But… 

But I’d closed it, hadn’t I?

My wife must be awake now. My quivering body rattled the mattress like a threshing machine. 

Did the carpet move just now? I shouldn’t have taken my eye off it, I shouldn’t have, I shouldn’t have! The door exhaled through its long, thin lips.

Slowly, I reached for the bedside lamp. But then something from under the bed would grab my flailing hand, or slice off my flabby fingers! I could see now, the stumps wiggling at my palm’s end, like little puppies’ tails. 

My hand shot back under the plump cover of the duvet. I’d wet myself; my feet were sodden. The smell, my god! It must’ve woken my wife by now! 

‘Wife!’ I whimpered, ‘wife, wake up!’

Her finger shot to my lips.

‘Shhhh…’

My own hand crept timidly to meet hers. 

‘I heard something-’

‘Shhhh…’

At last, I grasped her hand, stealing her fingers for my own. A breeze blew through the open window. I rolled my wife’s fingers in my palm, the digits cold but comforting, she-

The window was open.

No, it couldn’t be. My wife hated a draft, it would’ve kept her up. 

So close!

I gripped my wife’s hand in mine. I reached out for the rest of her, sliding my hand up to her shoulder. 

I ran out of arm just above the elbow.

And now the door was open wide.

I opened my mouth.

‘Shhhh…’ 

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Eric Radcliffe
Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
2 years ago

Well written James. Don’t we all hate the thought of what might be under or outside of the bed. I enjoyed the way you built the suspense – the imagination is a wonderful tool. Well done.

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
2 years ago

Nicely written James. Having suffered from the occasional night terror myself, I can really empathise with your protagonist. Great build up in tension throughout.

Emily O'Leary
Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
2 years ago

Oooh! I love the build up in tension and suspense. The little hints that perhaps all was not well, – the wife’s cold fingers. Very well written.

Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
2 years ago

Glad I didn’t read this just before going to bed! (It’s afternoon here in Australia.) You have captured those middle-of-the-night fears very well although I suspect this isn’t just the protagonist’s random thoughts…there really is something out there! Well done 🙂

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
2 years ago

Oh, a very nice one. This story is something that makes the reader’s knees shake for the suspense is intense. I can’t hold my breath – what a great imagination you have. I love how you build the suspense in this story.

Katy Bizi
Katy Bizi(@katy-bizi)
2 years ago

Scary indeed! I loved this piece. Congratulations, James!

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