It creeps through the walls.

Ciara.

My house was built in the eighteen hundreds.

The owners before me wanted a quick sale, so I basically got the house for a steal.

It started the second week after moving in.

I was putting some boxes in the garage, downstairs. There was a door that led from the kitchen area directly into the garage, and that was where I usually went to enter the garage.

Anyway, I was putting boxes away after unpacking more of my ornaments and knick-knacks for the lounge room. I looked around at the other boxes until I found one that was full.

I decided to take another box upstairs, hoping it had something more important inside, like my novels or even my photos.

As I stepped onto the fourth step, I heard a weird sound.

"Scratch, scratch, scratch."

I paused for a few seconds, waiting to see how long it would last.

When it stopped, I continued moving up the stairs.

"I hope there aren't any mice in here," I mumbled as I made my way back into the kitchen.

Three hours later, I was sitting in front of the TV with my dinner. The news was playing, and it showed a police officer explaining how they had found a known serial killer hiding inside a woman's walls.

A cold shiver ran through my body as I listened intently. I did love a good true-crime story.

I decided to turn on Netflix and look for some crime movies or shows to watch. Clicking on the first one that popped up, I lay back and relaxed, eating my food as I watched.

"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"

I shot upright on the couch.

I realised I'd fallen asleep while watching TV.

Confused about what had woken me up, I glanced around, checking my surroundings. My plate and glass were still sitting on the coffee table where I'd left them.

I stretched and was about to stand.

"BANG! BANG!"

I froze halfway to standing.

An icy feeling rushed over my face.

"What the fuck?" I whispered.

Slowly, I stretched the rest of the way up.

I moved cautiously towards the closest window, which happened to be near the front door. I carefully pulled the curtains aside and peered outside.

I looked around near the doorway and then down towards the front lawn.

Nothing.

I stood there for about five minutes, my chest feeling tight as I struggled to breathe.

Slowly, I moved backwards.

I was just about to close the curtain when I saw it.

A reflection.

Someone tall was standing behind me.

My entire body froze.

I couldn't breathe.

I didn't dare turn around.

For a few seconds, neither of us moved.

Then I heard it.

"Scratch... scratch... scratch."

The sound was coming from directly behind me.

My eyes widened.

I stared at the reflection in the window, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.