Crackling static merging with the sound of the rain outside and the snapping wick of the burning candle within.
A piano note…
Stops.
Scratches.
I rush over to the record player…the music cannot stop, must not stop, to keep them out…examine the needle that had slipped into the run-out groove. Covered in dust.
Pull it off the needle between thumb and forefinger. Capturing the weightless clump in skin oil. Wipe it off on my jeans. Carefully, but swiftly, put the needle back in place, and it drops.
A second piano note…
Starts.
I sigh with relief. Then listen out…
Nothing.
Nothing yet.
Creep silently to the steel door. Listening harder. Slowing my breath until I end up holding it still and silent.
Nothing behind the door.
I breathe again.
But just then—steps. Steps in the wet grass.
How many, I can’t be sure.
One.
Two.
I turn back to the record player. All looks well.
I blow out the candle.
Go back to the steel door and slide the shutter open.
I squint, gazing out.
The footsteps have stopped.
But then I see a shape through the rain. A silhouette atop the hill against a colorless night sky.
As my vision further adjusts to the light, or lack thereof, I see another.
Two.
And another.
Three.
And another.
Four.
Crackling static merging with the sound of the rain outside.
A piano note.
Stops.
I close my eyes. Feel my body envelop itself.
An awful moan—not mine—something like a dying black dog caught in a bear trap.
My eyes open.
Now their faces are before me, eyes pitch-black and lidless.
My mouth gapes and my heart leaves me.
No matter how hard you try, you cannot keep them out forever.
